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Hurricane Windows Cost & Installation Prices (2024 Guide)
In this guide on the cost of hurricane windows, you’ll learn:
- How much do hurricane impact windows cost?
- What are hurricane windows and who benefits the most from them?
- How factors like size and glass type affect the cost of hurricane windows?
- What are the best styles and brands of hurricane windows?
This guide can help you learn more about hurricane windows and whether you would benefit from installing them on your home. Enter you zip code below to receive a personalized quote on window options in your area.
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Our team used automation tools when creating this article. However, we manually reviewed and fact-checked all information prior to publishing.
Hurricane windows are designed to keep your regular windows safe from storm damage during extreme weather, so they’re a crucial home addition for residents in areas where hurricanes and tropical storms are prevalent. The total cost is always an important factor for homeowners when carrying out a home improvement, so many people will be wondering how much hurricane windows will set them back.
In this article, we’ll discuss the national average cost to install hurricane windows, what factors affect the pricing, how to choose the best hurricane windows for your purposes, and much more.
If you’re ready to get new windows right away, click below to connect with one of our top-recommended installers.
How Much Do Hurricane Impact Windows Cost?
Hurricane windows are relatively inexpensive, and they typically cost between $100 and $350 per window. For most homeowners looking to protect all of their windows from impact damage, this comes out to around $4,000, on average, or between $1,000 and $9,000 in most cases.
| National average cost to install hurricane windows (per home) | $4,000 |
| Standard cost range for hurricane window installation (per home) | $2,000 to $5,500 |
| Low-end and high-end costs to install hurricane windows (per home) | $1,000 to $9,000 |
The average cost to purchase and install a single hurricane impact window is around $40 to $60 per square foot, or $150 to $200 per window, but you could pay anywhere from around $100 to $400 per window, depending on the size, shape and location on your home.
Most homeowners choose to install hurricane impact windows over all of their existing windows at once for maximum protection. The average homeowner has around 22 windows, which means the standard range for installing that number of windows on an entire home is between $2,200 and $8,800.3 Of course, many factors can affect these prices, and these numbers are just meant to give you a ballpark estimate. The average cost for a whole-home installation is around $4,000.
Window World
Window Veteran
200 Locations Nationwide
Average cost
Pros
- EnergyStar Partner
- Large service area
- Wide variety of products and services
- Great industry reputation
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Quality of service will depend on your area
Window Nation
Best for Residential Windows
9 States (75 miles from showrooms)
Average cost
Pros
- Award-winning company
- Wide variety of products and services
- Manufactures products in-house
- Custom Designs
Cons
- Installation not covered by warranty
- Limited service area
Renewal by Andersen
Best Availability
Save $375 Off Each Window
Average cost
Pros
- Great industry reputation
- Award-winning company
- Member of US Green Building Council
- Manufactures products in-house
Cons
- No lifetime warranty
- More expensive than competition
What Are Hurricane Windows?
Hurricane windows are impact-resistant windows designed to be installed over your existing standard windows to add protection against extreme weather. They’re particularly useful in areas where extreme weather — like hurricanes and tropical storms — are a severe and common risk.
Standard windows can be highly energy-efficient and add beauty to your home, but they’re also relatively fragile and expensive to replace. Hurricane windows are made from laminated impact-resistant glass, which is able to resist strong winds and impacts. They are designed to withstand hail, flying debris and even fallen tree limbs, and they can resist winds upward of 155 mph — something you might see in a Category 5 hurricane.
Hurricane windows are usually used intermittently. Most homeowners have them removed in the off-season and replaced at the beginning of the following hurricane season. They are designed to be easy to install and remove, and they fit right over regular windows.
Where Are Hurricane Impact Windows Most Needed?
Hurricane windows are most needed in areas where hurricanes and tropical storms put standard windows at risk of breaking. States like Florida (particularly South Florida), Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York and Massachusetts — the states with the highest likelihood of hurricanes — benefit most from hurricane windows.1
Hurricane windows are also an important protection measure for homeowners who frequently experience tornadoes, as they can also protect against strong tornado winds and flying debris — making hurricane windows popular in the Tornado Alley states like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.2
Why Are Hurricane Windows Important?
There are many questions about hurricane windows and why they are essential, the most important of which is keeping your family and home protected in areas where hurricanes and other extreme weather threaten your property. Strong winds brought about by these extreme weather events can shatter glass or bring airborne debris into your home. At speeds of over 155 mph in the most extreme cases, the debris can become dangerous and even deadly if it enters your home.
Less important — but still a primary reason to get hurricane windows — is the fact that hurricanes and other extreme weather events can break your standard windows and necessitate replacement. Storm windows are made to be inexpensive and highly durable, so they protect your much more costly standard windows that can sometimes be more than ten times the cost of a hurricane impact window.
Hurricane Windows Pros and Cons
As with all other types of windows, there are some benefits and drawbacks to consider when it comes to installing hurricane windows on your home.
Pros
- Offer protection from extreme weather
- Keep your expensive regular windows safe
- Provide protection from burglary
- Add UV ray protection
- Don’t impede natural light like hurricane shutters
Cons
- Can be expensive to uninstall and reinstall every year
- Decrease ventilation
- Not the same curb appeal as standard windows
Hurricane Window Cost Factors
Most homeowners pay between $1,000 and $9,000 to install hurricane windows on their homes. The price range is so wide because there are quite a few things that can affect the price. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most important factors that can bring your total for installing impact windows above or below the national average price.
Here’s a quick overview of different hurricane impact window options:
Window Factors
First, there are a number of factors related to the windows you’re protecting that can bring your price up or down. We’ll touch on each of these briefly below.
| Window Factor | How It Affects the Cost of Hurricane Windows |
| Window Style | The type of window you’re covering can affect the type of hurricane impact window you need, which can in turn affect the price. For example, a double-hung hurricane window is best for placing over a standard double-hung window, but it’s more costly than a single-hung storm window. A casement storm window will be even more expensive. |
| Window Size | The size of the window you’re covering is one of the most important factors when it comes to cost. Larger windows will always cost more for materials and could drive labor prices up as well. Uncommon shapes or sizes can also cost more for a custom design. |
| Frame Material | Just like with standard windows, you’ll have your choice of frame material with hurricane windows, including wood, vinyl and aluminum frames. Wood frames are the most expensive, followed by aluminum and then vinyl. The materials also vary in energy efficiency and convenience. |
| Window Construction | Hurricane windows include laminated glass with a protective layer between panes. This layer can be made with polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyethylene terephthalate. These options vary in price and protective capabilities. |
| Window Brand or Series | As is the case with standard windows, the brand or window company you choose can have a significant impact on your price point for hurricane windows. Brands like Anderson and PGT can be more expensive but often provide better-quality products than cheaper brands. The series offered by the manufacturer — like Anderson’s A-series and E-series — also differ in price and protection. |
| Glass Choice and Treatments | Standard hurricane windows include laminated glass that only offers protection from impacts and high winds. You can also opt for a Low-E (low emissivity) coating to add insulation to your storm windows to protect against high and low temperatures and reduce energy costs. Other glass options and treatments available include tints and textures to increase privacy. |
| Accessories | One downside of storm windows is that they’re often not as attractive as standard windows. However, you can opt to pay more for more decorative options. Some of these options include different trim packages, trim colors, hardware and more. |
| Permit Cost | Most municipalities have building codes that require that you get a permit before installing hurricane windows, as they can have an impact on your home’s structural stability. The cost of acquiring a permit for installation will vary among cities and states but can add several hundred dollars to your total in some cases. |
Installation Factors
In addition to the window factors mentioned above, there are some things related to the installation that can affect your cost. We’ll explain these briefly below.
| Installation Factor | How It Affects the Cost of Hurricane Windows |
| Window Size and Shape | A standard-sized rectangular fixed window will often be the cheapest. Multiple-pane windows like bay windows will require more materials to cover and will be more expensive. Non-standard window shapes like round windows or custom-sized windows will require a special storm window, and you’ll pay for the customization. |
| New vs. Replacement | Of course, the first time you install storm windows, you’ll need to purchase all new windows, so your cost will be highest during your first installation. Provided none of your hurricane windows break during extreme weather, you can simply reinstall them the following year and save on material costs of replacement windows. |
| Lift Required | If you need a storm window on a second-story window, your window installation team might require a lift to get the hurricane window up to the area for installation. Windows on the first floor will tend to come with lower installation costs. |
| Stucco Repair | If you have stucco siding, there’s a good chance it will get damaged during your hurricane window installation or removal. Stucco repair could add significantly to your cost of hurricane window installation or removal. |
| Seasonality | Finally, hurricane window prices are highest in the stormy season when demand is high. Florida’s hurricane season, for example, runs from June to November, so prices will be highest during those months and will tend to dip a bit in the off-season. |
Impact Window Prices by Size
The table below provides a quick look at the average cost of hurricane windows based on the size.
| Standard Window Size | Average Impact Window Cost |
| 24” x 30” | $120 |
| 32” x 36” | $140 |
| 48“ x 44“ | $200 |
| 52“ x 44“ | $240 |
| 52“ x 60“ | $295 |
| 60“ x 60“ | $325 |
| 60“ x 96“ | $400 |
Average Cost to Install Custom Impact Windows
It’s very challenging to estimate what it will cost you to purchase and install custom impact window glass, as every project is different and will come at a different price. However, you can be certain that it will be more expensive than installing a standard-sized hurricane window.
Generally speaking, the cost to install hurricane windows on an entire home ranges from around $1,000 to $9,000. Custom impact windows will very likely cost you around the upper end of that range, and your price could be even higher if you have more windows than normal, larger windows that command higher prices to cover, or unique shapes that are challenging to manufacture.
Cost of Best Hurricane Window Brands
The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the cost of some of the best hurricane window brands in the industry. Keep in mind that the cost to install a single hurricane window is often significantly higher than the per-window rate for a whole-house installation. You should also note that the prices below include estimated installation costs.
| Hurricane Window Brand | Average Installation Cost (per window) |
| Andersen Stormwatch Coastal Windows | $1,200 |
| Hurricane Shield by Pella | $1,000 |
| Sentinel by CGI | $950 |
| PGT WinGuard Windows | $1,100 |
| StormForce by Loewen | $1,000 |
| Weathershield Premium Coastal Windows | $1,100 |
| Simonton StormBreaker Windows | $900 |
How to Get the Best Prices on Hurricane Windows
As shown above, storm windows can be quite expensive. Most homeowners will naturally look for ways to keep costs down while providing the protection they need for their families and homes. Luckily, there are some ways you can reduce costs.
First, you can choose hurricane impact windows that have vinyl framing material. Vinyl window frames are the most affordable, but they do come with some downsides, like the inability to be painted and, for some homeowners, a less attractive appearance. Vinyl is also one of the most widely available window frame materials, so you should have no issues finding hurricane windows with vinyl frames that suit your home.
Second, you can choose to have storm windows installed on your entire home all at once. This will naturally cost you more than having single windows covered, but you’ll save on labor costs and pay less per window if you do them all together. If you’re comfortable installing your storm windows yourself, a DIY hurricane window installation can save you thousands of dollars over hiring a professional. Just keep in mind that mistakes can be quite costly.
Finally, you can choose low-cost glass options. A Low-E coating or tint might improve your home’s energy efficiency or privacy, but these options will cost more per window.
In short, you can follow the guidelines below to minimize the price of installing hurricane-proof windows on your home:
- Opt for a cheaper frame material like vinyl
- Install all storm windows at once
- Install your hurricane windows yourself
- Avoid Low-E coatings and tints
FAQ: Cost of Hurricane Windows
Hurricane windows can be helpful in areas where hurricanes aren’t prevalent, but they’re only recommended in places where other kinds of extreme weather events happen. For example, they’re great for protecting your home from the strong winds from a tornado or severe thunderstorms.
In most cases, the terms are used interchangeably. However, hurricane windows technically only need to be able to withstand strong winds expected during a hurricane or tropical storm. Impact windows, on the other hand, must be rated to withstand strong winds as well as impacts from flying debris.
Hurricane windows absolutely add value to your home. Any buyer will be willing to pay a premium for added hurricane protection that comes with the property. It’s likely that you won’t see a one-to-one increase in the value of your home, but the peace of mind you enjoy should make up the difference.
In areas where severe weather is expected — including hurricanes, tropical storms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes — hurricane windows are almost always worth the cost. They not only provide protection for you and your family, but they also protect your costly standard windows, which could end up saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars each time you experience a hurricane or other severe weather event.
Yes! Hurricane-resistant windows are designed to withstand Category 5 winds, which can reach upwards of 155 mph. They will also protect against flying debris that gets picked up by the wind and threatens your home.
