Are Impact Windows Worth It? The Pros, the Cons and the Negatives People Ask About

For most South Florida homeowners, yes, impact windows are worth it, but not for everyone and not for every budget. Here are the real pros and cons, including the negatives people ask about, so you can decide for your own house.

The case for

• Storm protection without work. Every opening is protected all the time. No panels, no ladder, no scramble when a watch is issued.
• Insurance. Opening protection on every opening earns a credit on Florida windstorm policies, verified by a wind mitigation inspection. How it works.
• Lower cooling bills. Low-E impact glass blocks a large share of solar heat and UV.
• Quiet. Laminated glass cuts traffic, aircraft and street noise. Details.
• Security. Laminated glass stays in the frame after it cracks, which defeats the quick, quiet break-in.
• Resale. Buyers and their insurers look for impact protection on the wind mitigation form.
• It replaces windows you may need to replace anyway. Old, foggy or leaking windows get fixed in the same project.

The negatives, honestly

• Cost. A full home typically runs $12,000 to $30,000 in South Florida before discounts. It is the largest objection, and it is real. Cost guide.
• Lead time. Windows are built to order and take several weeks, so this is not a quick fix the week before a storm.
• Heavier sashes. Laminated glass is heavier than single-pane glass. Modern balances and rollers handle it, but older homeowners sometimes notice the difference on large sliders.
• Glass can still crack. Impact glass is designed to crack and hold, not to be unbreakable. A cracked unit should be replaced, which is sometimes covered under warranty depending on the cause.
• Condensation on insulated units. If the seal on an insulated laminated unit fails years later, fog can form between panes. Laminated-only glass does not have this issue.
• Not bulletproof. Impact glass resists debris and forced entry; it is not rated for ballistics.
• Insurance savings vary. The credit depends on your insurer and the rest of your home’s mitigation features. We do not promise a percentage.

When it is clearly worth it

• You own and live in the home and plan to stay several years
• Your current windows are non-impact and you rely on shutters or plywood
• Your windows are old, leaky or foggy and need replacing anyway
• You are on the coast, under a flight path or next to a highway
• You want the full insurance credit, which requires every opening protected

When to think harder

• You are selling within months and the home already has rated shutters
• The home is a rental where energy and noise benefits accrue to tenants
• The budget only covers a few openings and shutters already protect the rest; a phased plan can still work

What type of windows are best for Florida weather?

Impact-rated windows with Low-E laminated or insulated laminated glass, in aluminum frames near the coast or vinyl frames inland. Every brand we install carries Florida Product Approval and most carry a Miami-Dade NOA. Brand comparison and vinyl vs aluminum.

Making the cost work

Current offers take 20% off your entire order with $0 down and no payments for 12 months, subject to credit approval. The insurance credit and lower cooling bills start as soon as the final inspection is done, and the My Safe Florida Home program has offered grants of up to $10,000 for qualifying homeowners. Program guide.

Frequently asked questions