Impact Windows for Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida Homes
Impact windows are windows built with laminated glass and reinforced, anchored frames that are tested to resist wind-borne debris and hurricane pressure. Storm Pro Window and Door custom orders and installs impact windows across Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida with in-house crews, so your home stays protected without putting up shutters.
How Do Impact Windows Protect a Home?
An impact window is a complete system, not just thicker glass. The glass is laminated: two layers bonded to a tough plastic interlayer. If a branch or roof tile strikes it, the glass may crack, but the interlayer holds it in place and keeps the opening closed.
That matters because a broken opening lets wind pressurize the house from the inside. The frame is anchored into the wall exactly as the product approval requires, so glass, frame, and fasteners work together under load. Storm Pro installs products rated for design pressures associated with 150 to 175 MPH winds, depending on product and size.
How Are Impact Windows Tested and Approved?
Large Missile Test
A 9 lb 2×4 is fired at the glass at about 50 feet per second, for openings within 30 feet of grade.
Small Missile Test
Small steel balls fired at glass in higher openings.
Cyclic Pressure Test
Repeated positive and negative pressure after impact to simulate hurricane winds.
Design Pressure (DP)
The pressure a product is certified to withstand. The DP your home needs depends on its location, height, exposure, and where each opening sits on the wall.
Products that pass receive Florida Product Approval, searchable on the Florida Building Commission website, or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). See our product approval and NOA guide.
Impact Window Styles We Install
The bottom sash lifts, the top stays fixed. A reliable choice for bedrooms and living areas.
Both sashes move and tilt in for cleaning. A good fit for upper floors and top-down airflow.
Low-E impact glass and insulated frames that cut heat gain and help lower cooling bills.
Vinyl or Aluminum Frames?
Both frame materials can meet Florida’s impact requirements.
Vinyl
Insulates well, needs little maintenance, and often costs less, though its frames are wider.
Aluminum
Strong and rigid, which allows slimmer frames and more glass, but it conducts heat more readily unless it includes a thermal break.
We help you choose based on the openings, the look of the home, and the design pressure each window needs. Read Are Vinyl Hurricane Impact Windows a Good Choice for Florida Homes? or compare both in person at our showrooms.
Glass, Grid, and Color Options
Glass
Laminated impact glass on every window, with Low-E coatings, argon fill, and tinted or obscure glass available. See energy efficient impact windows.
Grids
Classic applied, between-the-glass, or double applied. More in Window Grids and Grille Styles.
Colors
Custom colors and finishes to match trim and stucco.
Which Brands Does Storm Pro Install?
Storm Pro installs windows from PGT, CWS (Custom Window Systems), and Simonton (Ply Gem), matched to your design pressure needs, budget, and style. See Brands We Install. For matching entries and patios, see our impact doors.
What Should Coastal Homeowners Know?
Much of coastal Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida sits in a wind-borne debris region, where the Florida Building Code requires openings to be impact resistant or protected. The exact requirement depends on your address, so we confirm it through the permit. Near salt water, we recommend corrosion-resistant hardware and a simple rinse routine.
Impact Windows vs. Shutters vs. Hurricane Film
Impact Windows
Hurricane Shutters
Hurricane Film
- Yes
- Approved shutters only
- No
- Always in place
- Closed before each storm
Not protection
- Yes
- Blocks light
Yes
- Yes
Approved shutters only, not decorative
- No
Noise, UV, security and energy benefits
None
None
What Affects Cost, and Where Can You Get Help?
Every project is priced individually by opening count and size, style, frame, required design pressure, glass and grid options, and the condition of the openings. See our impact window cost guide.
Storm Pro offers 0% financing with approved credit. Documented opening protection can qualify for wind mitigation insurance discounts, and owners of eligible homes permitted before 2008 may qualify for My Safe Florida Home grants.
Why Homeowners Choose Storm Pro
- In-house installers, no subcontractors, with 50+ years of combined experience
- We secure the permit and product approval paperwork
- Lifetime workmanship warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Showrooms in Tarpon Springs and Fort Myers
“We had a hurricane come by just a week after the install and they came through without a scratch!”
Jonathan D.
See our full installation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do impact windows really replace hurricane shutters?
Yes. Approved impact windows are tested and certified as opening protection under the Florida Building Code, so no shutters are required on those openings. The laminated glass is designed to stay in the frame even if it cracks. For full wind mitigation credit, every glazed opening, including doors and garage doors, needs approved protection.
Will impact windows lower my homeowners insurance?
They may. Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for documented wind mitigation features, and opening protection is one of them. The credit usually requires all glazed openings to be protected and documented on the OIR-B1-1802 inspection form. Savings vary by carrier and home, so ask your agent.
How do I know if a window is truly impact rated?
Look for a Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA number for the specific product, searchable at floridabuilding.org. Keep the approval number, permit, and install date together for insurance documentation. Storm Pro provides this paperwork with every job.
Do I need a permit to replace my windows?
Yes. Replacing windows requires a building permit in Florida jurisdictions. Storm Pro secures the permit, submits the product approval paperwork, and coordinates the final inspection. Learn more on our permits and building code page.
Can impact windows break?
The glass can crack when struck, and that is by design. The interlayer holds the glass together and keeps the opening sealed. A cracked impact window should be inspected and replaced after the storm. See How Do You Check Hurricane Impact Windows for Damage After a Storm?