If you live in a hurricane-prone area, there are many different amendments that you can make to your home to make sure that it will be protected when a storm rolls in. One thing many homeowners struggle with is whether they should install impact windows or hurricane shutters. Some homeowners will do both, but many homeowners choose one or the other, and both options have their advantages. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of impact-resistant windows over hurricane shutters for your home to help you make the best decision.
Pro: Impact windows offer more than just protection from hurricane winds.
Without a doubt, the biggest advantage of installing impact windows in your home is the fact that they will protect you from more than just hurricane-force winds. Hurricane shutters are great, but they are not designed to do anything other than protect your windows during a storm. If you have impact windows instead, you are getting windows that will be resistant to impact no matter the situation. For example, a burglar would have a lot harder time busting out the glass in an impact window to gain entry.
Con: Impact windows can be a costlier home investment than shutters.
One of the few downfalls of impact windows, when compared to hurricane shutters, is the price. You can expect a good hurricane-resistant window with impact-resistant glass to cost you around $40 to $55 per square foot. A single sliding window is likely to cost you about $1,950. Of course, hurricane shutters are far cheaper in comparison, but they are not a very permanent solution. You can find hurricane shutters made out of an array of different materials and that are created in multiple sizes and styles. Therefore, they range in price from really inexpensive to moderate pricing.
Pro: Impact windows don't block your view of the outdoors.
Once installed, impact windows look just like regular windows, even if you are looking at them up close. The features that make the windows impact-resistant do not change how the glass looks. You will not have your view of the outside compromised. Hurricane shutters are placed on the outside of the windows and closed when a storm is coming in. Therefore, you will have no view of the outside when the shutters are in place. Additionally, impact windows will not change the exterior appearance of your home once they are put in place.
For more information on impact windows, contact a glass supplier near you.
