Hurricane Impact Windows vs. Standard Windows: What’s the Difference?

The short answer to the question of what differentiates a hurricane impact window from other types of residential windows is this: Hurricane impact windows are specially fortified to stand strong against hurricane-force winds and absorb the impact of wind-driven debris without allowing it to penetrate the glass. Traditional windows are not engineered to provide the same high level of storm protection.

Florida’s Answer to Increasing Hurricane Threats

Hurricane windows are relatively new in the evolution of residential windows. Given Florida’s long history as a magnet for hurricanes, it’s not surprising that the first impact windows for residential use were developed in the Sunshine State in the 1990s. Before that, during most of the 20^th century, it was not uncommon for Florida homes to be built with aluminum-frame windows that held single-pane glass.

Thanks to changes in the Florida Building Code related to reducing energy consumption, single-pane aluminum windows are no longer the standard builder-grade window used in new construction. Instead, vinyl frames with double-pane glass became the basic standard. However, even these windows are not engineered with the same advanced technology as hurricane-rated, impact-resistant windows.

What Is a Hurricane Window?

The best hurricane windows on the market are crafted with high-quality materials. Their fully welded frames and sashes give them the extra strength needed to resist buckling in the face of hurricane-force winds.

But extra-strong window frames are not enough to protect a home from hurricane damage.  Powerful winds can cause tree limbs to snap and lift even heavy objects off the ground, turning them into missiles that can smash into a home’s windows at high speed. That’s why hurricane impact windows are engineered with two layers of extra-thick, laminated glass that’s designed to maintain its structural integrity even when struck by airborne debris. Depending on the force of the impact, the glass might crack, but it won’t break into dangerous shards or allow damaging winds and rain to enter the home.

Impact-resistant glass in windows and doors is considered to be the gold standard among hurricane protection solutions because it can prevent one of the most common causes of costly storm damage: indoor flooding due to a breached window.

Are Hurricane Windows Mandatory in Florida?

Homeowners in certain coastal areas are required to have hurricane impact windows or protective hurricane shutters. In recent years, even inland homeowners have recognized the value of upgrading to impact-resistant windows as hurricanes have become more powerful and remained strong while traveling across land.

Additional Benefits of Hurricane Impact Windows

Hurricane windows are viewed as top-of-the-line storm protection because they’re in place year-round and function the same way as traditional windows—there’s no need to deploy them when a storm is on the way. Compared with non-impact windows, they also:

• Provide a superior buffer against outside noise
• Protect against break-ins because the glass won’t breach to allow unauthorized entry
• Frequently last longer because of their ultra-sturdy construction and weather-resistant design
  
  

Where to Get Reliable Hurricane Impact Windows

Majors Home Improvement has been helping homeowners in the Florida Panhandle and nearby Alabama communities beautify and protect their homes since our founding in 1997. We offer and expertly install industry-leading hurricane impact windows that are also designed to deliver energy efficiency benefits in our local climate.

We take pride not only in the quality of the home renovation products we install but also in delivering a superior level of customer service. If you’re in our service area and would like to learn more about the impact-resistant replacement windows available from Majors Home Improvement, contact us today for information.