Impact windows and doors combine durable, reinforced frames with laminated glass designed to resist shattering when struck by flying debris during hurricanes and severe storms.

Regular glass can break into sharp, dangerous shards when struck. Impact-resistant glass may crack in a spiderweb pattern, but its laminated inner layer helps hold the glass together and keeps it within the frame.

Generally, no. Properly approved and installed impact windows provide continuous protection without the need to install storm shutters before a hurricane. Requirements may vary by property, local building codes, and insurance policy.

Impact windows undergo rigorous testing, including the Large Missile Impact Test. During this test, a nine-pound wooden 2x4 is propelled at 50 feet per second toward the glass and frame to evaluate their resistance to windborne debris.