Hurricane windows explained

Hurricane season is upon us. Are you doing everything you can to protect your home?

Anyone who lives along the coast knows the sheer power of hurricanes and tropical storms. High winds can shatter glass, rip off siding and tear off roofs. And then there's water damage and the devastation caused by flooding.

One thing is for sure: Your windows are vulnerable. That's where impact windows, also known as hurricane windows, can make all the difference, even if they cost a pretty penny.

Are hurricane windows worth the cost? Experts scream a resounding "YES!" This is "particularly [true] if you live near the water," says Danny Niemela, the vice president and CFO of ArDan Construction, LLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona. "If you live in Florida, impact windows will get credited by your home appraiser as an upgrade. When it’s time to sell, you can expect to recoup between 60% and 75% of your investment."

In this guide to hurricane windows, USA TODAY covers technology, cost and expert opinion.

Hurricane windows are designed to withstand heavy winds (100 miles per hour or more) and flying, windborne debris. Designed similarly to a car windshield, impact windows feature specialized laminated glass with a polymer…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/