Impact Resistant Windows

Impact resistant windows are built to withstand hurricane-force wind and flying debris without breaking through. They’re not storm shutters you close before a storm, they’re permanent windows that provide that protection every day of the year. In coastal Louisiana, they’re one of the most practical home upgrades available.

How Impact Glass Works

Impact resistant windows use laminated glass: two panes of tempered glass bonded together with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ionoplast interlayer. If a piece of debris strikes the glass and cracks it, the interlayer holds the shards in place. The glass cracks but doesn’t break through. The opening stays sealed.

That’s the critical point. Hurricane damage to homes often begins not when the first window breaks, but when the broken window allows outside air pressure to enter the home and build up against the roof structure from below. A roof that stays sealed survives a storm. A house with a compromised opening is at serious structural risk. Impact windows prevent that first breach.

Testing Standards

Impact windows sold in Louisiana are required to meet Florida Building Code or Miami-Dade County impact standards, which are the most stringent in the country. Testing involves firing a 9-pound 2×4 at the glass at 34 mph, followed by 9,000 pressure cycles simulating sustained wind pressure. A window that passes both tests earns an impact rating.

We only supply windows that carry a verified impact rating. If a contractor quotes you “impact-style” or “impact-grade” glass without a certification number, ask for the test documentation before agreeing to anything.

Insurance Premium Reduction

Louisiana homeowner’s insurance often includes a wind mitigation credit for homes with impact-rated windows on all openings. The discount varies by insurer, but it can be significant enough to meaningfully offset the cost of the windows over time. We can provide the documentation your insurer needs to apply the credit after installation.

Benefits Beyond Storm Season

Impact glass provides benefits you’ll notice year-round:

• Sound reduction: The laminated glass construction absorbs and dampens sound. Neighborhoods near I-10, Louis Armstrong Airport, or busy arterials are noticeably quieter inside.
• UV protection: The interlayer blocks up to 99% of UV radiation. Floors, furniture, and artwork fade significantly less over time.
• Security: The same properties that stop debris also make the glass extremely difficult to break through by force. Impact windows provide a meaningful security deterrent.

Do You Still Need Shutters?

Impact windows on all openings typically satisfy the structural requirements that shutters would otherwise need to meet. Some homeowners keep shutters for additional protection on exposed elevations, but with certified impact glass installed throughout the home, shutters become optional rather than necessary. That means no deploying shutters before a storm, no storage, no hardware maintenance.

Ready to talk about impact resistant windows for your home? Call (504) 384-8165 or request a free estimate. We serve Greater New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and Baton Rouge.