Do I Need Impact Windows If I Have Hurricane Shutters?

Last Updated: March 2026
No. The Florida Building Code gives homeowners two options for opening protection in wind-borne debris regions: impact-resistant glazing (impact windows) or approved hurricane shutters/screens. You need one or the other. You do not need both. 

The Florida Division of Emergency Management Hurricane Retrofit Guide explains the debris impact standards used by the building code. Both impact windows and approved shutters must pass the same core test: a 9-pound 2×4 lumber missile fired at the product, followed by thousands of cycles of positive and negative pressure. If your shutters carry a Florida Product Approval number and cover every opening, you have met the code requirement. Impact windows are not an additional need.

That said, impact windows and shutters are different tools that solve the same problem in different ways. Understanding the trade-offs helps you decide whether to stick with shutters, upgrade to impact windows, or use a combination.

Below you will find answers to additional frequently asked questions about this decision.

Are Hurricane Shutters Enough for Complete Storm Protection?

Yes, when properly installed and deployed. Florida Product Approved shutters and screens pass the same missile impact and cyclic pressure tests that impact windows pass. They satisfy the same building code requirement. They may qualify for the same top-tier opening protection credit (Level A) on the OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation inspection form. And they represent a lower upfront investment than Impact Windows.

The key phrase is “when deployed.” Shutters protect your home only when they are in place. If a storm arrives and your shutters are still stored, your windows are unprotected. This is the one structural advantage impact windows have: they are always on. No deployment, no decision, no last-minute scramble.

For homeowners who are always home during hurricane season or who have quick-deploy systems (Hurricane Screens and Accordion Shutters take minutes), this is a manageable issue. For snowbirds, frequent travelers, or homeowners who may not be physically able to deploy shutters, it is a real consideration.

When Does Combining Shutters and Impact Windows Make Sense?

Most homeowners do not need both. But there are situations where a combined approach is the smartest strategy:

Situation	Recommended Approach	Why
Standard Florida home, owner present during hurricane season	Hurricane Shutters or Hurricane Screens on all openings	Full code compliance and potential insurance credit. Deploy when needed.
Seasonal resident or frequent traveler	Impact Windows on all openings	Always-on protection. No need to rely on someone else to deploy shutters.
Budget-conscious homeowner needing whole-home protection	Hurricane Screens or Storm Panels on all openings	May achieve the same potential insurance credit as Impact Windows with a lower upfront investment.
High-rise condo in HVHZ	Impact Windows (shutters often impractical at height)	Upper-floor shutter deployment is difficult. Impact Windows are the standard approach.
Beachfront home with extreme exposure	Impact Windows plus shutters on large openings	Dual-layer redundancy for highest-risk properties. Impact Windows as baseline, shutters on sliders and lanai for added protection.
Mix of standard windows and hard-to-reach upper windows	Accordion Shutters or Hurricane Screens on accessible openings, Impact Windows on upper floors	Practical hybrid. Hurricane Screens and Accordion Shutters on ground level, Impact Windows where ladder access is unsafe.

The combination approach is most common on high-value coastal properties and in the HVHZ. For the majority of Florida homeowners, a single system covering all openings is sufficient.

How Do Shutters and Impact Windows Compare on Cost and Value?

This is where the decision usually comes down to dollars.

Factor	Hurricane Screens	Accordion Shutters	Impact Windows
Insurance credit tier	Level A (highest)	Level A (highest)	Level A (highest)
Deployment needed?	Yes (minutes)	Yes (minutes)	No (always on)
Year-round benefits	UV/solar heat reduction when deployed	Security when closed	Noise reduction, energy savings, UV filtering, security, 24/7 storm protection
Visibility during storm	Filtered (can see out)	None (total blackout)	Full (clear glass)
Water penetration resistance	Partial (reduces, does not seal)	Good (minor track leakage)	Best (sealed, tested unit)
Home resale impact	Moderate (buyers value protection)	Moderate	High (buyers pay premium for impact glass)
Lifespan	10 – 20+ years	15 – 25 years	20 – 30+ years

The critical insight: all three may qualify for the same Level A insurance credit. There is no additional potential insurance benefit to having Impact Windows over Hurricane Screens or Accordion Shutters. The insurance math favors the least expensive option that covers all openings.

Impact Windows win on convenience, year-round benefits, and resale value. Hurricane Shutters and Hurricane Screens win on flexibility and coverage of large or irregular openings like lanais.

What If I Already Have Shutters and I’m Considering Adding Impact Windows?

If your shutters are in good condition, cover all openings, and carry valid Florida Product Approvals, there is no code or insurance reason to replace them with impact windows. Your money is better spent on other mitigation features (roof-to-wall connections, secondary water resistance, roof shape) that provide additional insurance credits.

However, there are legitimate reasons to upgrade:

Your shutters are aging. If your shutters are 15-20+ years old, approaching the end of their useful life, replacement is coming regardless. At that point, comparing new shutters versus Impact Windows makes sense.

You want year-round benefits. Impact Windows reduce energy costs (through Low-E coatings), cut exterior noise, block UV damage to furnishings, and improve home security. Shutters provide none of these when stored. If you value these daily benefits, Impact Windows may be worth considering.

You are selling your home. Impact Windows are a strong selling point in Florida real estate. Buyers perceive them as premium. If you are planning to sell within a few years, the resale value bump from Impact Windows may offset part of the cost difference.

You travel during hurricane season. If you leave Florida during peak season and cannot guarantee someone will deploy your shutters, Impact Windows eliminate that risk entirely.

For homeowners who want to upgrade gradually, the hybrid approach works well. Install Impact Windows as you replace aging windows room by room. Keep your shutters active on windows you have not yet replaced. The Florida Building Commission’s window systems fact sheet confirms that the Product Approval system covers both shutters and impact glass, so mixing products is fully code-compliant as long as every opening is protected.

Learn More about Storm Smart Hurricane Protection

Storm Smart offers the full range of hurricane protection products, so you do not have to choose one company for shutters and another for windows. Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens cover standard windows, large sliders, and lanai openings that can be difficult or cost-prohibitive to protect with Impact Windows. Accordion Shutters and Roll Down Shutters provide solid-barrier protection. And Smart View Impact Windows and Doors by Eastern Architectural Systems deliver permanent, always-on protection with DP-50 to DP-100+ ratings for the highest wind zones.

Need help deciding? Storm Smart provides free in-home assessments to evaluate your openings, wind zone, and lifestyle, then recommends the right combination of products for your specific home.

Related Questions About Hurricane Protection Options

• Do Hurricane Windows Reduce Insurance in Florida? – Wind mitigation form mechanics and savings calculations.
• What Are Hurricane-Proof Windows Called? – Terminology, interlayer types, and product categories.
• Can Impact Windows Withstand a Category 5 Hurricane? – Design Pressure ratings vs. hurricane categories.
• Do Hurricane Shutters Lower Insurance? – How shutters achieve the same insurance credit as impact windows.
• Are Hurricane Screens Expensive? – The most cost-efficient path to full opening protection.