What Are Hurricane-Proof Windows Called?

Hurricane-proof windows are most commonly called impact-resistant windows or impact windows. They are also referred to as hurricane impact windows, hurricane windows, or storm-resistant windows. 

All of these terms describe the same core product: a window constructed with laminated glass and a reinforced frame, engineered to withstand flying debris and extreme wind pressures during a hurricane. It is worth noting that no window is truly “hurricane-proof.”

Even the strongest Impact Windows can be damaged under extreme conditions. The more accurate industry term is “impact-resistant,” which reflects the fact that these products are designed and tested to resist, not guarantee immunity from, hurricane-force impacts.

When manufacturers, building codes, or insurance forms use the term “impact-resistant,” they are describing a product that has passed specific standardized testing. Below you will find answers to additional frequently asked questions from our readers about hurricane-proof windows.

What Terms Indicate a Window Is Rated for Hurricane Protection?

When shopping for hurricane windows, the terminology can be confusing because the same product is described differently depending on who is selling it, what code it meets, and where it will be installed. Here is a guide to the most common terms and what they actually mean:

Term	What It Means	Used By
Impact-resistant windows	Windows with laminated glass tested to resist flying debris impacts and cyclic wind pressure per ASTM E1886/E1996	Building codes, product approvals, insurance forms
Hurricane impact windows	Same as impact-resistant windows; emphasizes hurricane-specific application	Manufacturers, retailers, contractors
Hurricane windows	General term for any window marketed for hurricane protection; may or may not be impact-rated	Marketing materials, consumer conversations
Storm-resistant windows	Broad term; verify that the product has Florida Product Approval or is HVHZ Rated	Marketing materials
Impact-rated glass / glazing	Refers specifically to the laminated glass component, not the full window assembly	Technical specifications, building codes
Wind-borne debris protection	The Florida Building Code’s official term for any product (windows, shutters, screens) that protects openings from hurricane debris	Florida Building Code, OIR-B1-1802 inspection form

The safest approach when evaluating any product is to ignore the marketing name entirely and look for the certification: either a Florida Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating. If a window carries one of these, it has been independently tested and verified. If it does not, the marketing term is meaningless from a code compliance and insurance discount standpoint.

How Is the Glass in Impact Windows Actually Made?

Impact-resistant windows use laminated glass, which is the same fundamental technology used in automobile windshields. The product consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer under heat and pressure in an autoclave. When the glass is struck, it may crack in a characteristic spider-web pattern, but the interlayer holds the fragments together, preventing the glass from shattering into the home. The most common interlayer materials used in hurricane Impact Windows are:

Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is the standard interlayer for most residential Impact Windows. According to the Southern California Glass Management Association’s (SCGMA) technical bulletin, PVB provides excellent adhesion to glass, strong penetration resistance, and inherently filters 99% of harmful UV radiation. PVB interlayers are the most widely used option for hurricane-rated residential windows.

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is an alternative interlayer that is particularly resistant to moisture and delamination. EVA is a thermoset material, meaning it crosslinks permanently during manufacturing, which gives it excellent long-term stability in humid, coastal environments.

SentryGlas Plus (SGP) / ionoplast interlayers are premium structural interlayers that offer twice the load-bearing capacity and five times the tear strength of standard PVB at the same thickness, according to the SCGMA bulletin. SGP is commonly specified for high-rise commercial applications and essential facilities (hospitals, emergency shelters) where the strongest possible performance is required.

For most residential applications in Florida, standard PVB laminated glass in a reinforced aluminum or vinyl frame provides the level of protection required by the Florida Building Code. The entire window assembly (glass, interlayer, and frame together) must be tested and approved as a complete system. Laminated glass alone, without an approved frame assembly, is not considered an impact-resistant product under Florida code.

How Do I Identify Genuine Hurricane-Rated Impact Windows?

Verifying that a window is genuinely impact-rated requires checking three things:

1. Certification label on the product. Certified Impact Windows carry a permanent label on the glass or frame that identifies the manufacturer, the product approval number, and the performance rating. This label is what the wind mitigation inspector photographs when documenting your opening protection.

2. Florida Product Approval or HVHZ Rated. Search the product’s approval number in the official database at floridabuilding.org. If the product does not appear in the database, it has not been independently verified for use in Florida, regardless of how it is marketed.

3. Testing standard compliance. The product approval documentation will specify which testing standards the window passed. For Florida, the key standards are ASTM E1886 (the missile impact and pressure test method) and ASTM E1996 (the pass/fail specification).

What Are the Different Categories of Impact Windows?

Not all Impact Windows offer the same level of protection. They vary by glass construction, frame material, and the wind zone they are rated for:

By glass construction:

• Single laminated: Two panes of glass with one PVB or EVA interlayer. The standard construction for most residential Impact Windows.
• Insulated laminated (IGU): A laminated pane paired with a second pane separated by an air or argon gas space. Provides both impact resistance and enhanced energy efficiency and noise reduction.
• Multi-layer laminated: Multiple interlayers (sometimes combining PVB with SGP or PET film) for enhanced impact resistance. Typically specified for essential facilities or extreme wind zones.

By frame material:

• Aluminum: Strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant when powder-coated. The most common frame material for Impact Windows in Florida.
• Vinyl: Good thermal insulation, low maintenance. May not be suitable for the largest window sizes due to structural limitations.
• Wood (with aluminum or fiberglass cladding): Premium aesthetic option. The interior wood provides warmth while the exterior cladding resists weather.
• Composite/fiberglass: Combines strength with thermal performance. Increasingly popular for high-end residential installations.

By wind zone rating:

• Standard wind zone (non-HVHZ): Tested to ASTM E1886/E1996 at design wind speeds for most of Florida. Suitable for areas outside designated HVHZ zones.
• High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ): Tested to TAS 201/202/203 standards or Florida Product Approval with HVHZ designation. Required for all properties in designated HVHZ zones. Products rated for HVHZ can be used anywhere in the state, but the reverse is not true.

When selecting Impact Windows, match the product’s wind zone rating to your location. Installing a standard-zone product in an HVHZ area is a code violation. Installing an HVHZ-rated product outside the HVHZ is permitted and provides a higher level of protection.

Do Impact Windows Eliminate the Need for Shutters?

Yes, in most cases. If all exterior glazed openings in your home are fitted with Florida Product Approved or HVHZ-rated Impact Windows, your home meets the Florida Building Code’s requirements for wind-borne debris protection without needing shutters. However, there are practical scenarios where combining Impact Windows with another protection type makes sense:

• Large sliding glass doors and lanai openings: Impact-rated sliding glass doors exist but can be a significant investment. Some homeowners install Impact Windows on standard-sized openings and use Hurricane Screens or Accordion Shutters on their largest openings as a practical hybrid approach.
• Extra protection layer: During extreme storms, some homeowners deploy Hurricane Shutters or Hurricane Screens over their Impact Windows as a secondary barrier. If the shutters take the brunt of debris impacts, the Impact Windows behind them remain undamaged.
• Older impact windows: If your existing Impact Windows were installed 15 to 20 years ago and show signs of seal failure or delamination, adding Hurricane Shutters or Hurricane Screens provides an additional safety margin while you plan for replacement.

Storm Smart offers Smart View and PGT Impact Windows and Doors, as well as Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens and Accordion Shutters and Roll Down Shutters. This full product range allows Storm Smart to design a whole-home protection plan that optimizes coverage based on your home’s specific layout.

Related Questions About Hurricane Windows

• Can Impact Windows Withstand Category 5? – Wind speed ratings and testing standards for extreme storms.
• Do Hurricane Windows Reduce Insurance in Florida? – How Impact Windows qualify for wind mitigation credits.
• Do I Need Impact Windows If I Have Hurricane Shutters? – When each option makes sense and whether to combine them.
• Are Hurricane Shutters Worth the Cost? – Cost comparison across all protection types including Impact Windows.

Last Updated: March 2026