Here Is Why You Need Impact Windows (And Why They Offer Better Protection Than Storm Shutters).

Living in Palm Beach you will have more than likely seen the multiple fliers or advertisements for storm protection services ranging from storm shutters all the way up to impact windows. 

 

And this is for a good reason in the state of Florida it is mandatory to have storm protection fitted on properties because every year Florida suffers very adverse weather such as hurricanes and if measures are not taken then every year thousands of homes would be destroyed. 

 

So, with so many options out there how do you know which option is the best for you and your property in Palm Beach. 

 

Well, today we will look at two of the well-known choices out there and compare which is best the options we will look at are impact windows and storm shutters. 

 

Storm shutters 

Storm shutters are as the name suggests shutters that can be fitted to the outside of the window and brought down in the event of a hurricane. They work by utilising an accordion style design which allows them to observe impacts without the metal being compromised and for mild storms they are effective to a certain degree. 

 

However, the downside of storm shutters is that as they are placed on the outside of the window there is a gap between them and the window and should a large enough object or an object travelling at enough force strike it then there is a chance that this energy can be transferred through the metal and still shatter the window underneath and while it does provide a level of protection against storms in hurricanes it is more a matter of luck. 

 

The upside is the cost as storm shutters are less complex than their impact windows counterpart and are less complex to manufacture and install, they are considerably cheaper than impact windows. So, for a household or a business looking for a low-cost option they are appealing but cannot guarantee the property will remain weather tight throughout extreme hurricanes. 

 

Impact Windows 

Impact windows are windows that are designed to resist impacts and even if they are impacted, they will maintain their structural integrity meaning that a weatherproof seal is maintained on your property and your contents are protected. 

 

They work well due to their design as they are made of multiple sheets of metal fused together with a shatterproof resin in the middle. What this means to you is that even in a very strong hurricane if the window is struck with an object the glass will crack but the resin will hold it together which means no damage to your property and its insides. 

 

Now impact windows are more expensive than storm shutters because they offer more of a guarantee of protection than their counterparts however with so many manufacturers now making impact windows you will be sure to find one that suits your price point of course the life of the window will decrease as the cost does but the level of protection it offers does not. 

 

How can I decide which works best for me?

Impact windows and storm shutters both perform well in their own right, and you have to consider a lot of things when making your choice. 

 

If budget is the main driver, then leaning towards storm shutters may offer a cost-effective option in the short term however should an extreme hurricane strike then you may have to replace the windows under the shutters anyway. 

 

If aesthetic is a thought, then impact windows are the winner hands down once you begin to add big industrial storm shutters to your Palm Beach property it begins to look more like an industrial building. 

 

If protection is your main concern, then in my opinion impact windows are the best option and the majority of the residents of Palm Beach agree with me. Yes, they cost more initially but you are buying the most superior protection for your home without compromising how the property looks and feels. 

 

Impact windows can also potentially reduce your energy bills and even your insurance premium so in reality paying that extra little now can actually pay for itself once these things are factored in. 

 

In my mind there is only one winner in this debate. So, in short if you are looking for storm protection in Palm Beach look no further than impact windows.