Living in Florida means preparing for hurricane season isn't optional. Whether you own a home in Palm Bay, Melbourne, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Satellite Beach, or anywhere along Florida's east coast, protecting your windows and doors is one of the most important investments you can make.
Many homeowners ask the same question:
The answer depends on your home's location, your budget, and how much convenience and long-term protection matter to you. Below, we'll compare impact windows and hurricane shutters, explain the benefits of each, and help you determine which solution makes the most sense for your home.
Both impact windows and hurricane shutters provide excellent hurricane protection, but they differ in how they protect your home and the benefits they offer year-round. Impact windows provide continuous protection without requiring any preparation before a storm, while also offering added security, energy efficiency, and noise reduction. Hurricane shutters, on the other hand, must be deployed before severe weather arrives but typically require a lower upfront investment. Impact windows generally have lower maintenance requirements and can last 20–30+ years, whereas hurricane shutters often last 15–25+ years and may require more routine upkeep. For homeowners seeking convenience and everyday benefits, impact windows are often the preferred choice, while hurricane shutters remain a cost-effective and highly effective storm protection solution.
Both products provide valuable hurricane protection, but they serve homeowners differently.
Impact windows are specially engineered windows designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and flying debris.
Unlike standard windows, impact windows feature laminated glass made of multiple layers bonded together with a durable interlayer. If debris strikes the glass, it may crack, but the glass is designed to remain intact rather than shatter into dangerous pieces.
This helps maintain your home's protective envelope during severe weather.
For homeowners who travel frequently or may not be home when a storm approaches, impact windows offer peace of mind without requiring any action before severe weather.
Hurricane shutters are protective systems installed over windows, doors, and other openings to shield them from storm damage.
Unlike impact windows, shutters remain open or stored until a storm approaches. Once deployed, they create a physical barrier between your home's glass and wind-driven debris.
Several types of hurricane shutters are available:
Accordion shutters permanently mount beside your windows and slide closed when needed.
Benefits include:
Roll-down shutters operate manually or with a motorized system.
Benefits include:
Bahama shutters provide both hurricane protection and shade.
Benefits include:
Colonial shutters offer a traditional decorative appearance while providing hurricane protection.
Benefits include:
Motorized impact screens are increasingly popular for patios, lanais, garages, and outdoor living spaces.
Benefits include:
The truth is that both impact windows and hurricane shutters can provide excellent hurricane protection when professionally installed.
The better question is:
Which solution fits your lifestyle and budget?
Impact windows are always protecting your home. You never need to monitor forecasts or spend time preparing windows before a storm.
However, impact glass can still crack during a severe impact event, even though it remains intact.
Hurricane shutters take the impact before debris ever reaches your window.
Many homeowners appreciate the additional barrier between their home's glass and hurricane debris.
The tradeoff is that shutters must be deployed before the storm arrives.
In most cases, no.
Modern impact windows are specifically engineered to meet strict Florida building code requirements and are designed to withstand hurricane conditions without requiring shutters.
However, some homeowners choose to install both systems.
Reasons include:
For waterfront properties and homes exposed to stronger coastal conditions, some homeowners prefer the added layer of protection that shutters provide.
Generally speaking, hurricane shutters require a lower upfront investment than replacing all of your windows with impact-rated products.
If your existing windows are in good condition, shutters may provide a more budget-friendly path to hurricane protection.
Impact windows typically require a larger initial investment because they involve complete window replacement.
However, impact windows also offer benefits beyond hurricane protection, including:
The best value depends on your long-term goals and how long you plan to remain in your home.
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that impact windows and hurricane shutters compete against each other.
In reality, they solve slightly different problems.
Many homeowners choose impact windows because they want protection every day without worrying about storm preparation. Others choose shutters because they offer excellent hurricane protection at a lower upfront investment.
The best solution depends on your home's exposure, your budget, and your personal preferences. That's why every recommendation we make begins with evaluating the property rather than pushing a specific product.
At Lafferty Hurricane Protection, we help homeowners throughout Brevard County and Indian River County determine the right storm protection solution for their homes.
Our team provides:
Whether you're considering impact windows, hurricane shutters, or a combination of both, our goal is to help you make an informed decision that protects your family and investment.
Impact windows are designed and tested to meet strict Florida standards for hurricane protection. When professionally installed, they provide significant protection against wind and wind-borne debris. However, no product can guarantee protection against every possible storm scenario.
Yes. Impact glass can crack when struck by large debris. However, the laminated interlayer is designed to keep the glass intact and prevent dangerous openings that can allow wind and water to enter the home.
Many Florida insurance companies offer wind mitigation credits for approved hurricane protection systems. The amount of savings varies by carrier and policy.
Many homeowners find impact windows worthwhile because they provide year-round protection, energy efficiency, noise reduction, UV protection, and added security in addition to hurricane protection.
Accordion shutters are often considered one of the most cost-effective permanent hurricane protection systems because they provide strong storm protection while allowing homeowners to keep their existing windows.
Impact windows can increase a home's appeal to future buyers because they offer hurricane protection, energy efficiency, and enhanced security.
Many waterfront homeowners choose a layered protection strategy that combines impact windows with hurricane shutters, especially in areas exposed to stronger coastal winds and wind-driven debris.
With proper maintenance, impact windows commonly last 20 to 30 years or longer. Hurricane shutters can also provide decades of protection depending on the product type, installation quality, and environmental conditions.
Requirements vary depending on location, building codes, and construction type. New construction in hurricane-prone regions often must meet specific impact-resistance and wind-load requirements.
Yes. While many homeowners choose one system or the other, some install shutters over impact windows for additional protection and peace of mind.
.png){kind=small}
Great company and quality work!
Great price and great work. Am very happy with the business.
Great price and the installation technician did an outstanding job.
"We are very satisfied with our new fence and work done by Lafferty Aluminum. Quality, professionalism, and reliability working with Lafferty has been very good and I am happy we chose them."
"Lafferty was one of the easiest and smoothest company's to work with. We are building our home and these guys were so customer friendly, answered all our questions, was available to take our call if we had questions."
"Friendly service, professional attitude of employee, polite and they cleaned up as they worked. We had our pool enclosed redone after hurricane damage and now it looks great. Thanks"
"Lafferty did a fantastic job from start to finish on the patio pavers and aluminum screening. They completed the project on time, and perhaps even a little ahead of schedule!"
"I couldn't be happier with the work performed by Lafferty. They replaced my original screen house in February in a professional and timely manner. I would highly recommend them for your screen enclosure needs."
We're excited to learn more about your needs and provide you with a personalized quote. Please fill out the form, and our team will get back to you with a detailed estimate to kickstart your project.
