Hurricane Shutters vs. Impact Windows: Which Is Right for Your Home?
If you live near the coast or a storm-prone area, you know firsthand the anxiety of surviving an active hurricane season. Places like Miami, Key West, and New Orleans have been particularly vulnerable to these powerful cyclones, which have contributed to millions of dollars in structural and water damage.
So, which options do you have to protect your home, particularly your windows? Well, you can either get impact windows or hurricane shutters. As with everything, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Impact Windows
During tropical storms and hurricanes, extremely strong winds often exceeding 74 mph generate dangerous flying debris like tree branches, roof tiles, gravel, and unsecured objects. Glazed openings in windows and doors are more likely to shatter due to their increased vulnerability.
To address this, impact-resistant windows have been developed with two or more panes of glass bonded together using a clear plastic interlayer. This laminated glass configuration makes the windows more resilient against direct impacts from flying debris. Meanwhile, they are designed to shatter without generating dangerous shards.
When properly installed within a reinforced frame, impact windows can provide reliable protection against Category 5 hurricanes or tornadoes with sustained winds exceeding 158 mph. The best part is that they look no different from normal windows, so they offer continuous protection without requiring any additional effort from the homeowner.
Hurricane Shutters
Hurricane shutters create a sturdy barrier and protect your windows and doors. Typically, they are made from tough materials like aluminum, steel, or polycarbonate. And you've got a few different options to choose from:
- Accordion shutters: Mounted on tracks secured directly to the wall and have hinges that allow the shutter to fold open and shut.
- Roll-down shutters: Mounted above your windows and can be lowered either manually or with a motor.
- Panel shutters: Removable and can be stored away when not in use, which makes them a good option if you don't want shutters on your home year-round.
You'll need to manually deploy or secure shutters before a hurricane makes landfall. So, while they provide great protection, it's more of a temporary solution that requires manual effort on your part.
Comparison Criteria
There is a lot to consider before making a final choice of the right protection for your home:
Cost
You’ll be spending more on impact windows at $25 to $55 per square foot compared to hurricane shutters at $10 and $30 per square foot. But while you’ll be paying more for impact-resistant glass, you could enjoy lower insurance premiums and improved home value. It can offset some of the initial expenses.
Verdict: Hurricane impact windows cost more, but provide long-term savings and increase home value more effectively.
Installation
Getting impact windows or hurricane shutters installed requires a lot of skill and expertise. For impact windows, the right installation prevents air leaks and safeguards the window's structural integrity. Similarly, hurricane shutters must be securely fastened to the home's exterior to prevent them from becoming detached.
Verdict: You need professional installation for both impact windows and hurricane shutters. None is easier to install resulting in a tie.
Aesthetics
If you’re looking for storm protection that augments your home’s curb appeal, you can consider hurricane impact windows. They are more difficult to distinguish from non-impact windows.
Aluminum or steel hurricane shutters will have a more noticeable presence on your home's exterior. Another possible option, wooden shutters, may be harder to maintain. Additionally, shutters block out the view and natural light. So, it will be difficult to see what's happening outside.
Verdict: Impact windows are esthetically pleasing and maintain your home's appearance and architectural style.
Ease of Use
Storm protection should not be an added pain, and this is where you might see a big difference. Hurricane windows stay in place, providing constant protection without any intervention.
With shutters, you need to manually deploy and secure them before a storm hits. Some shutters even require the help of two people and it can take up to an hour to secure several windows.
Maintenance-wise, impact windows require little upkeep and can maintain their appearance and functionality over time. Hurricane shutters are more prone to rust and need regular painting and lubrication to maintain their appearance and effectiveness.
Verdict: Impact windows offer greater ease of use and require less maintenance.
Storm Protection Effectiveness
The final goal of either impact windows or shutters is to ultimately protect your home. How does each option fair against raging winds and flying projectiles? Well, impact windows can withstand winds of up to 200 mph. They undergo several tests involving flying projectiles and drastic changes in pressure.
Hurricane shutters may not provide as much protection against static pressure changes caused by high winds. If shutters are not properly installed and maintained, they can potentially detach from the home and become dangerous projectiles themselves. Failing to lubricate the rolling mechanisms can also cause them to get stuck during deployment.
Verdict: Impact windows offer more comprehensive protection against high winds, flying debris, and pressure changes.
Advantages of Impact Windows
Impact windows have not only superior storm protection capabilities, they also possess several other benefits:
- Continuous protection: Always in place and provide 24/7 defense against severe storms and intruders.
- Improved energy efficiency: Made of laminated glass and a tightly sealed frame, impact windows help reduce air leaks, so the costs of heating and cooling also decrease.
- Noise reduction: Multiple layers of thick glass help keep out the noise.
- UV protection: With features such as Low-E coating, you can effectively block up to 99% of harmful UV rays that would otherwise damage your furniture, floors, and artwork.
- Increased property value: Savvy buyers are on the lookout for homes with storm protection. This extra feature can improve your home's resale value and demand in hurricane-prone areas.
Do You Need Hurricane Shutters If You Have Impact Windows?
No. If you have installed impact windows, there is no need for hurricane shutters for added protection. You already have comprehensive protection against high-pressure winds and flying projectiles. That said, there are a few scenarios where choosing both options can offer extra peace of mind:
- Hurricane-prone wind-borne debris regions: If you live in an extremely hurricane-prone area, especially within one mile of the coast where wind speeds are highest, the dual protection of hurricane-resistant windows and shutters offers maximum defense against a hurricane or tropical storm.
- Unoccupied homes: For vacation homes or rental properties that are often unoccupied during hurricane season, the combination of impact windows and shutters provides an additional safeguard.
- Improved security: If you often have to lock up the house for long periods when you’re away, combining both options can offer more resilience against potential intruders or looters.
Situational Considerations
Here's a table showing scenarios where one option may be more suitable than the other:
- Scenario
- Limited budget
- High-risk hurricane zone
- Rental property
- Homeowner values aesthetics
- Frequent travel during hurricane season
- Enhanced security
- Recommended Option
- Hurricane shutters
- Impact windows
- Hurricane shutters
- Impact windows
- Impact windows
- Impact windows + hurricane shutters
Conclusion
To summarize the raging debate on impact windows vs hurricane shutters, you’re better off installing impact windows because of their top-notch protection and never having to worry about putting them up or taking them down. They look nice and offer other benefits like blocking noise and UV rays. The only downside is that you’ll pay more upfront
Hurricane shutters save on costs. They'll get the job done, but there is the extra hassle of manually putting them in place before the storm hits. Plus, they are not exactly easy on the eyes.
At the end of the day, you have to weigh what's most important to you - cost, convenience, looks, etc. It's a good idea to speak with local window and hurricane protection pros.
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