Are impact windows worth it?
Well, I guess the answer to this one is: If money is no object then sure, why not?
In terms of protection, I could make an argument that panels are ‘tougher’ than the glass. BUT, they need to be put in place so if that doesn’t happen then, wll they’re not much good. If a piece of debris hits a panel then perhaps it will bent that panel but no big deal. If debris hits an impact window it may not fail (breech) but you will need to fix it and that’s expensive.
YOU GET THE SAME INSURANCE DISCOUNT WITH IMPACT RATED WINDOWS AS YOU DO WITH NON IMPACT RATED WINDOWS THAT HAVE SHUTTERS OVER THEM. Read more on this in THIS POST.
So, how much more do they cost? Well, I stopped in at the windows and doors desk at Home Depot last night nd asked. An 8′ wide by 80″ tall (standard height) slider in non impact is about 1200+tax so about $1284. And in an impact rated door this same size is 2800 + tax or $2966. Now on that 1284 one still needs to add the cost of the shutters material and the cost to install it. And on the install of the impact rated door we need to add for the fact that these are typically wider than the same door in non-impact and thus the jambs need to be modified. Bottom line is that I would figure 5k for the slider in and impact door and 2500 for one in non impact with shutters. If this were one door then probably not a big deal but with multiple doors then it might be.
The last point I will make here is that impact windows in a storm may not breach but if they are hit by debris they can and will break which will require that the glazing be replaced at great expense. Or, all that debris flying around can scratch the glass which will require that it be buffed or replaced and again this is expensive.
I’m an engineer and in my house I have non-impact windows with steel High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ or ‘Miami Dade’) shutters over them. Yes the steel ones are heavy but it’s inexpensive and very tough.
