Hurricane Window Protection for Tampa Homes
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What Is Hurricane Window Protection for Tampa Homes?
Hurricane window protection is a broad term that could be applied to virtually any kind of safety measures that you use to protect the windows of your home. Most Tampa homeowners probably think of plywood boards, but they’re just one of the (more unsightly) means of protecting your home.
Types of Hurricane Window Protection
Plywood Boards
This is a temporary protective measure involving nailing large wooden boards over the window to prevent direct impacts by wind and flying debris.
Hurricane Shutters
A secondary covering that is permanently installed over or around the window that can be deployed to repel debris impacts, wind, and intrusion attempts.
Impact Window Replacement
The practice of removing old windows and replacing them with impact-resistant models built to withstand extreme forces to provide 24/7 protection.
Hurricane Window Options
Impact Windows
Double Hung Windows
Sliding Windows
With heavy-duty construction and rollers, these windows are ideal for homeowners who need easy-to-use windows and have a larger window opening.
Picture Windows
Casement Windows
Awning Windows
Bay Windows
Custom Windows
Get Hurricane-Resistant Door!
In addition to hurricane windows, it can help to install impact doors that are rated for hurricane conditions. Get hurricane-resistant impact doors to complement your new windows and complete the protection around your home!
Hurricane Door Options
Sliding Glass Doors
Standard Sliding Patio Doors
Pocket Sliding Doors
Bi-Parting Doors
Exterior Doors
Entry Doors
Double Entry Doors
French Doors
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Hurricane Window Protection FAQs
What Is the Best Hurricane Protection for Windows in Tampa?
The best protection for windows in a hurricane is the form of protection you can get in place before the hurricane hits. Literally anything is better than leaving non-impact windows bare in the face of Mother Nature’s wrath.
However, if you have time to make an upgrade with an informed decision and no pressure to protect your home immediately, permanent forms of hurricane window protection are better than temporary forms of protection that you have to put up and take down for each individual storm.
Permanent forms of protection require less work on your part, making it easier for you to get through storm season. This includes things like installing impact-resistant windows or adding hurricane shutters.
We highly recommend impact window replacement, as this provides protection around the clock without you needing to lift a finger.
Do Hurricane Impact Windows Really Work?
Yes! Hurricane impact windows really do work. How do they protect your home? By taking advantage of several technologies to maximize resistance to wind pressure and impacts from heavy objects:
- Multiple panes of glass to continue providing protection even when one layer of glass fails.
- Impact-resistant glass to repel most impacts without breaking.
- Flexible laminate interlayers that bend with impacts and keep glass shards from penetrating into the home if the glass ever does break.
- Reinforced frames to prevent warping following a heavy impact by flying debris.
- Vinyl outer layers to prevent rusting and corrosion of the aluminum core of the window frame.
Furthermore, every impact window we install is tested against the Small and Large Missile Impact D testing standards.
In the Small Missile Impact test, a series of 30 small, solid steel balls weighing 2 grams each are fired at the window at a speed of 130 feet per second (or about 88 mph). After the impacts, the window is tested for air leakage and other issues.
In the Large Missile Impact test, a solid 2 x 4 weighing nine pounds is fired at the window at a speed of 80 feet per second (about 54.5 mph) to simulate the impact of a larger piece of heavier storm debris. The window is then tested in a manner similar to the small missile impact test.
Which Is Cheaper, Hurricane Shutters or Hurricane Windows?
The answer depends on what style of hurricane shutters or windows you choose to install. According to Angie’s list data, “hurricane shutters cost $3,653 on average, but factors such as type, time of year, and size can impact the total price.” In addition to these factors, the current price of aluminum and steel can also cause prices to fluctuate heavily.
Another factor that influences the price of both hurricane windows and shutters is the size of the window opening. The bigger the window opening, the more it’s going to cost. The cost of an impact window can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and the style. Average prices vary, but a high-quality impact window might average about $2,400 with installation. Though some ‘premium’ brands and particularly difficult installations can go well above that cost and some more budget-friendly options can go well below that cost.
In addition to the initial installation cost, it’s important to consider the ongoing costs of ownership for impact windows and shutters. Especially in coastal areas where your window will be exposed to salty air. Steel or aluminum shutters will be much more prone to rusting, potentially requiring maintenance and replacement even when there aren’t any major storms. Meanwhile, vinyl impact windows are extremely resilient against saltwater exposure, remaining free of corrosion for decades at a time.
For Temporary Covers, How Many Hurricane Clips per Window?
If you find yourself using temporary hurricane window protection like plywood boards or fabric/plastic covers, how many hurricane clips or screws do you need to have to ensure the covers won’t be pulled right off your walls?
Hurricane clips are a semi-permanent solution that are designed to hold a plywood board in place to make mounting easier. Nails and screws are the more common type of securement, but need to be pulled out or unscrewed afterwards and leave holes in your walls that need to be filled.
Generally speaking, you should have at least one fastening for every 12-16 inches of window perimeter, four at a minimum to secure the corners of an especially small opening. So, if you had a 12 x 36 window, that window would need at least 6 fastenings: one at each corner and two at the middle of each long side, though 8 would provide better securement.
What Are the Downsides of Plywood Boards?
Using plywood boards to protect your windows is a good, if basic, hurricane damage prevention measure. It helps prevent direct physical impacts to your windows, making it far less likely for wind and flying debris to penetrate into your home. It’s very economical compared to other protection methods (at least in the short term) since plywood is so inexpensive.
However, there are a few downsides to relying on plywood to protect your home’s windows:
- It’s a Lot of Extra Work. Even with hurricane clips that you can slot your boards into, installing plywood boards over your windows, especially ones on higher floors, is a lot of labor.
- No Guarantee of Perfect Securement. Unless you’re hiring a contractor to install the boards for you, there’s no guarantee that the boards will hold. If the wind manages to catch the board and pull it off, your protection is gone.
- Unsightliness. Having boards over your windows isn’t necessarily a great look. Even the clips that go around windows to make putting boards up easier are not exactly aesthetically pleasing, to say the least.
- Fixing Screw/Nail Holes. When the hurricane passes and the plywood boards come down, you’ll need to repair the screw and nail holes around your window to protect your home from moisture and pest intrusion.
What Are the Benefits of Temporary Hurricane Window Protection?
Okay, if putting up plywood boards or using tarp is so labor intensive and inconvenient, why do people do it? Well, there are benefits to using temporary hurricane window protection over more permanent solutions.
First, the aesthetic impact of temporary protection is, well, temporary (unless you’re using hurricane clips to hold the boards in place, those stay up to uglify your windows year-round). So, some people who want to avoid having unappealing hurricane shutters opt for temporary forms of protection instead.
Second, the short-term cost of installing plywood boards and using fabric covers is typically a fraction of the cost of a more permanent solution. At least, in the short term. With plywood boards, you may be paying for new boards after each storm if you want to keep protecting your home.
Third, temporary hurricane protection is typically the easiest to get in place on short notice. If you haven’t had time to prepare for a hurricane before it hits, plywood boards or tarps can be bought and put up in a couple of days from when you first hear about the storm. There are times where temporary protection might be the only option available. And any kind of hurricane window protection is better than having none at all.
What Are the Benefits of Permanent Hurricane Window Protection?
The big benefit of permanent hurricane window protection is that it’s always there. Whether we’re talking about hurricane shutters or impact windows. With shutters, you can typically deploy them in minutes, allowing you to protect your windows openings on short notice.
With hurricane impact windows, the protection is always active so long as the window is closed. No additional work or effort is needed to secure your home. You, quite literally, don’t have to lift a finger to engage it.
Impact windows also provide a few extra benefits beyond 24/7 hurricane protection:
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency. Because impact windows have multiple layers of glass and laminate interlayers, they’re incredibly energy efficient compared to single-paned non-impact windows. This can help you save thousands on your energy bills over the decades.
- Visual Appeal. Unlike unsightly boards or even hurricane shutters, impact windows have zero negative impact on your home’s curb appeal. They look like regular windows without any unsightly pieces of excess metal, screws, or clips to mar your home’s beauty.
- Longevity. Hurricane windows are built to last for more than a single storm. And, with vinyl construction, they’ll last for decades even in homes along Florida’s coastline, where salty ocean air would corrode metal shutters after mere months of exposure.
- No Screw/Nail Holes. One of the issues with most temporary forms of hurricane window protection (and even with hurricane shutters) is that you need to mount that protection externally. That means taking drills or nails to your exterior walls to secure the plywood boards, tarps, and shutters. This creates extra intrusion points for moisture, pests, and more into your home. With hurricane windows, the window simply goes into the existing opening, sealing it tight without creating more potential moisture and pest intrusion points.
These pros are part of the reason why installing impact windows is the truly superior form of hurricane window protection for Tampa homes.
Get Reliable Hurricane Window Protection from Karoly
If you’re looking to protect your home from hurricanes, Karoly Windows & Doors is the perfect partner! Why reach out to Karoly for your impact windows and doors? Because we:
Have 20+ Years of Experience. We’ve worked with homeowners throughout the greater Tampa Bay area for over 20 years, earning accolades and positive reviews for our dedication to quality and service.
Offer a Variety of Window Brands. We work with multiple window and door manufacturers so we can get the best deals on new windows and doors for your needs. We aren’t beholden to any one window or door brand, so you can trust us to source the best products for your needs.
Do the Work the Right Way Every Time. Our installation techs are all in-house employees who are held to our company’s high standards. With Karoly, you never have to worry about an unskilled third-party contractor doing the job incorrectly. You get experienced techs who are on the Karoly payroll.
Specialize in Florida Residential Windows. We’re a locally-owned Florida-based business that specializes in windows and doors made for the Floridian market. We know the Florida Building Code and how to uphold it so you can trust your new windows to last.
Back Our Work with a Platinum Standard Lifetime Guarantee. We back every window installation with a lifetime guarantee that includes a 25-year installation warranty and a 50-year material warranty so you can have peace of mind.
Get your impact-resistant windows and doors from Florida’s most trusted window replacement company so you can rest easy knowing that your new windows will protect your home from the worst hurricane season has to offer for decades to come.
Other Areas We Serve
Need hurricane windows for your home? Karoly Windows & Doors is here to help! We provide window and door installation services for homeowners in the following areas:
Decades of Award-Winning Service in Tampa!
