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Hurricane Windows Cost
Hurricane windows cost anywhere from $1400 to $2800 fully installed. These strong and durable aluminum, vinyl or fiberglass framed windows are some of the most expensive on the market. So let's take a closer look at what differentiates them from normal windows and then look at what you can expect in terms of the overall window price point. One note: hurricane windows are synonymous with impact windows - so assume we are talking about either or during the course of the article.
Dane - Site Editor - Page Last Updated: May 31, 2025
$1400 to $2800 fully installed
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Window Frames
Hurricane windows are, by definition, built to withstand major storms and even hurricanes. Thus the name, right? They differ from non-impact windows in the following ways. First, the strength of the window frame. Window companies have all sorts of ways to cut costs and create less sturdy (and less expensive) frames. Conversely, there are a number of ways to increase the overall frame strength - more cross chambers in the extrusions, intermixing stronger materials like titanium into the extrusion mix, composite reinforcements inside the lift rail and frame, etc.
Of course, all of these steps increase the manufacturing costs that are then passed onto the consumer. While many non impact windows can get away with less sturdy frames within the residential market, hurricane windows cannot. Why? Because hurricane windows must pass certain quality and safety standards. For more info on the certification process, here is the link to that section.
Window Glass
The type and quality of glass is a big factor towards "converting" a normal window into a hurricane window. Most typical new construction and replacement windows sold today come standard with low-e window glass. While this double or triple paned glass is great for most residential homes, it is not up to snuff for impact windows.
Instead, hurricane windows typically use laminated glass, which is the same glass type used in car windshields. So, laminated glass for windows consists of two glass layers that sandwich a thin plastic layer. The result is that when struck, the glass splinters (or spiders), instead of breaking. This is a key factor in hurricane windows and keeping the outside winds out. Additionally, hurricane windows often use upgraded features, components, and hardware that both add to their overall strength and to their bottom line.
Entry Level Hurricane Windows Cost
Entry level may be a bit of a misnomer here - there really aren't many low end of cheap hurricane windows. However, this category might be more aptly named lower cost hurricane windows - or perhaps most affordable impact windows on the market today. Our price range here is $1200 to $1650 fully installed. Also, it is important to point out that our price range is meant as a sort of "what we think you should be paying" price point. Often, local window companies will bid out the following series at much higher prices. The goal is to get the final per window cost down to the price range below.
Related Topics: Hurricane Impact Windows Cost Calculator
Price Range: $1250 to $1650 fully installed
Entry Level Manufacturers
Northeast Buliding Product WindForce - The WindForce is a well priced option if you can find a dealer. NBP is a regional manufacturer, so this could be the issue here.
Target Price Point: $1250
Design Pressure Rating: 60
Wincore 8800 Windows - this is a nice option for budget minded consumers. Also, this tends to be the impact window that Window World installs.
Target Price Point: $1350
Design Pressure Rating: 50
Viwinco OceanView Window - another great impact window that will be less expensive than other options. Often offered as the drop down window to more expensive brand names, but I think this is a solid choice.
Target Price Point: $1450
Design Pressure Rating: 75
Simonton StormBreaker Plus - Simonton is often referred to as the Ford of the window industry - nothing fancy, but a solid workhorse. That's what you have here. Target
Price Point: $150
Design Pressure Rating: 55
ES Prestige - certainly a lesser known brand compared with the others in this category. Quite a good product and a nice fit for many Floridians.
Target Price Point: $1600
Design Pressure Rating: 65
Mid Range Pricing
Mid range hurricane windows cost should be $1650 to $2100 per window installed. This is a pretty healthy per window cost by most consumers standards - that's over $2K per window. Not for the feint of hearted to be sure. However, these impact windows ought to last three decades and protect your home from some serious storms. Unfortunately, hurricanes do seem to be more frequent with each passing year. Here are our picks for the best mid range impact windows, along with our target price points, including installation.
Mid Range Manufacturers
Custom Window Systems WindPact Series - CWS makes a very good impact window in the Windpact. Priced out well, this is one of my goto selections for homeowners looking for a top quality product at (hopefully) a reasonable price point.
Target Price Point: $1650
Design Pressure Rating: 65
Eco Window Systems EcoGuard Series - I don't hear about this window much, but the company generally seems to generate good reviews on the whole.
Target Price Point: $1750
Design Pressure Rating: 65
Stanek UltraExtreme Window - Possibly the best built of all our selections. This is a beast, but Stanek isn't always easy to find out there.
Target Price Point: $1850
Design Pressure Rating: 70
PGT WinGuard Windows - PGT is one of the best known impact window manufacturer and the WinGuard is their flagship product. Definitely worth a bid.
Target Price Point: $2000
Design Pressure Rating: 70
Premium Hurricane Windows Cost
Premium pricing will probably be in the $2100 to $2800 per window installed. These are the very best on the market (or are simply the brands that charge the most). However, I will say this, many of our selections below are very high quality units. Here are our picks for premium impact windows, along with our target price points, including installation.
Sunrise Coastal Series - the company has always made a very good product. In 2021, Sunrise was acquired by MI Windows, however their factory doesn't seem to have changed. So the Coastal series is still out there, although I don't hear about it all that often.
Target Price Point: $2100
Design Pressure Rating: 60
Soft-Lite Barcelona Series - one of the best hurricane windows on the market, but also not a cheap option by any means. If you can afford this, go for it.
Target Price Point: $2200
Design Pressure Rating: 60
Soft-Lite Armor Impact Series - similarly to the Barcelona series, one of the best hurricane windows on the market, but also not a cheap option. The Armor Impact window is the creme de la creme of impact windows.
Target Price Point: $2300
Design Pressure Rating: 65
Pella Defender Series - while very expensive, the Defender is a good impact window. Not as good as a number of the options on this list. But if Pella is your brand of choice, then this is one of their options.
Target Price Point: $2400
Design Pressure Rating: 60
Pella Hurricane Shield - similarly to the Defender, the Hurricane Shield is a good impact window. But, again, not as good as a number of the options on this list. However, I will say it's one of the best named windows on our list.
Target Price Point: $2500
Design Pressure Rating: 60
Loewen StormForce - the company makes a wonderful wood clad window. Their StormForce is both beautiful and a very good impact window. But man is it ever expensive.
Target Price Point: $2800
Design Pressure Rating: 85
"For my money, the best of the bunch include both of the Soft-Lite Windows selections, along with the Sunrise option (now under the MI Windows and Doors umbrella)."
Hurricane Windows Cost : Installation
While the pricing above is for fully installed windows, it is helpful to understand what the installation will run. Homeowners can expect to pay from $100 to $250 per window for the cost of installation. Hurricane windows can be installed like any other window, although proper installation is super important given the fact that the windows must protect the home from major hurricanes.
Understanding Impact Windows Ratings
Within the window and door industry, the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance is the leader in fenestration product performance and certification. So, windows that have FGIA certification have been tested according to the trade organization's very high standards. In order for a window to be designated as a hurricane or impact window, it must go through a series of tests.
In order to be certified by the AAMA, hurricane impact windows must go through rigorous testing. One of the most important is how well the window reacts to impact when struck by objects. Additionally, the windows are tested for their ability to keept out air and water, as well as their overall structural integrity. If and when the window passes these safety standards, they get the AAMA’s seal of approval and reliability. In essence, this process is very similar to the government’s energy star certification for windows and door. But obviously for hurricane windows.
Consumer Cost Questions
Explore our hurricane windows cost questions from consumers and homeowners alike. If you have a question for us, we are happy to give you our take on the best impact windows for your area. Hit us up using the email found toward the top of this page.
Dane - Site Edito
Northern California Impact Window Options
Hi Dane, we are inland in Northern CA. at the base of Mount Shasta in Lake Shastina/Weed, CA. 96094. We live in what is called the Shasta Valley and can sustain hurricane force winds and we are looking to do window replacements. Also, we have a great room with 10 - 7' h x5' w windows as well as 6 smaller ones at the top.
Currently, we are leaning towards Andersen Windows but not sure which series would be best and our other problem is that we need uv protection as the sun has not just faded our carpet but has literally turned it into carpet dust with just the carpet backing remaining. Please send me a list of windows that you think may be appropriate for our area.
Rob - Homeowner - from 2025
Editor Reply
Rob, here are my California recommendations. The issue for me here is that there aren't that many impact window/door options in the state - they don't get the sort of storms that mandate these windows/doors and so there isn't the demand to support the products.
However, my knowledge of what's available is also limited because I never get this question in this particular state. We might need to do some back and forth to discover what is available - I look forward to hearing back from you on what you find so that I can update my lists and help the next consumer down the line!
Dane - Site Editor - from 2025
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