The average installed cost of hurricane windows is about $1,285 per window for the most popular size.

Hurricane window cost starts at about $425 for small, fixed windows and exceeds $2,400 for large windows that open.

There are many factors that determine cost of hurricane windows, and they are all explained below. Reading the cost factors will help you estimate what your impact window prices will be. By the way, these windows are also called hurricane resistant windows, hurricane impact windows and impact windows.

Two Kinds of Impact Resistant or Hurricane Windows

This page mostly focuses on windows with frames designed to be resistant to high winds and impact, the kind of forces seen in hurricanes. But did you know that many other windows can be upgraded to be effective in those same high wind situations?

The bottom line is that if you are sold on a window series that isn’t in the narrow “hurricane window” niche, it might still be possible to order it with enhancements that meet local code requirements for high velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ) like those in Miami-Dade. Upgrading a standard window line to an impact window or hurricane window generally raises cost by 10% to 25%, depending on the window frame material. A good example of this is adding the Andersen StormWatch glass and feature package to any of its standard lines.

Overview of Hurricane Window Prices

Here are average window costs and installed costs. As you’ll see, installation labor for hurricane resistant windows runs about $85 to $400 per window. Sliding glass door units cost more to install.

Consider that the Window Cost Range in this table includes all window frame materials including aluminum ($$-$$$), vinyl ($$$-$$$$), fiberglass ($$$-$$$$) and wood ($$$$-$$$$$).

Style	Window Cost Range (1)	Installation	Avg. Installed Cost
Picture/Fixed	$340 – $2,200+	$85 – $275	$775
Single-hung	$535 – $2,125	$140 – $335	$995
Double-hung	$665 – $2,300	$155 – $350	$1,375
Horizontal/Sliding	$625 – $1,975	$150 – $350	$1,265
Casement/Awning	$680 – $2,250	$165 – $400	$1,350
Sliding Glass Doors	$1,400 – $5,000	$525 – $750	$2,765

Price ranges also vary so much because the range of window sizes varies by window style.

Hurricane Window Cost Factors

Knowing how hurricane windows are priced will help you determine ballpark costs before the challenge of getting hurricane window cost estimates. There are window factors and installation factors:

Window Cost Factors

• Style of the Window: Fixed windows, such as picture and shape windows, cost less to manufacture than windows with moving parts. The table above shows how style affects cost.
• Size of the Window: Obviously, within any style, the larger it is, the more it will cost. Price rises exponentially. For example, a 2×4 window has 8 square feet of glass. Double each length to 4×8, and the window has 4 times the amount of glass, or 32 square feet.
• Frame Material: Vinyl hurricane window cost averages 25% higher per window than aluminum hurricane window prices. If you select a wood window and include a hurricane glass or impact glass package, cost can rise another 25% to 50%.
• Window Construction: Most hurricane resistant windows feature two planes of glass with a layer of material between them that improves strength and makes them resistant to shattering. Three materials or combinations are used:
  • Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is the most affordable type.
  • This with a layer of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) between the glass cost slightly more than PVB impact windows.
  • Those with a layer of PVB strengthened with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) between windowpanes are stronger. These premium hurricane windows cost the most.
• Glass Choice and Treatments: The most affordable window choice is standard impact/tempered glass. Low-E (low emissivity) glass is an energy-efficient upgrade. Glass can be tinted to reduce glare and increase privacy.
• Accessories: You’ll have style and cost options for window hardware, color, trim, grilles (optional on some windows), between-glass blinds on high-end windows and security sensors that many leading brands are now offering.
• Permit Cost: Permit cost varies by city and county, but the differences are a small part of the total project cost.

Installation Cost Factors

• Window Size: Essentially, if a window is large enough to require two people for installation, cost will be on the high end.
• Window Shape: Rounded architectural window installation cost can be twice as high as for rectangular windows.
• Sashes: Windows with sashes take more time to install, so cost is higher.
• New vs Replacement: Window installation goes much faster in new construction than in an existing home, so cost is lower.
• Stucco Repair: Many homes in hurricane zones have stucco siding. Often, the stucco around the window frame is damaged, even when installing replacement windows from inside the home. When a stucco specialist has to be called to repair the siding, it will add to cost.
• Lift Required: When a lift is needed to install windows above the first floor, rental or use cost will be added. It also takes longer to install a second story (or above) window, so cost estimates are a little higher.
• Time of Year: Installers are busier, so costs are higher, immediately before and during hurricane season – and especially if a hurricane or tropical storm is brewing out at sea.

Vinyl vs Aluminum

We mentioned your two primary material options for hurricane-proof windows: Vinyl and aluminum. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

• Pros and cons of aluminum hurricane windows: They cost about 25% less than vinyl. They are lighter, so installation cost is sometimes lower. On the downside, they allow heat transfer, and this will lead to higher air conditioning costs. And much higher heating costs, if installed in a norther climate like the Eastern seaboard. Secondly, if the paint or coating on the frame is damaged by flying debris, the bare aluminum will show through and require touching up.
• Pross and cons of Vinyl hurricane windows: The higher window cost is the worst part of vinyl compared to aluminum. From there, it’s all good. Vinyl is better insulated, so should lower energy costs by 3%-6% compared with aluminum. Vinyl frames are the same color all the way through, so if the frame is scratched or gouged, the material beneath will be the same color. The damage will be less visible.
• What about other materials? Most hurricane windows are aluminum or vinyl. But depending on code where you live, wood or fiberglass or composite windows might be OK for your home. If so, you’ll have greater options, but will also find higher costs, especially for wood.

Hurricane Window Pros and Cons

We should state first that you might not have an option on whether you install hurricane windows. They are mandated in many areas such as high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ).

When you have the choice, these pros and cons will help you decide whether to buy them or standard windows.

Pros: Here’s what you’ll like about hurricane impact windows.

• Rated for winds up to 200 mph.
• If they do break, they’ll do so “safely” without shattering and scattering shards of lethal glass.
• You have a good selection of styles, sizes, features, glass packages and even colors.
• Because of their construction, they reduce sound from outside.
• Homes with impact windows have lower insurance costs.
• The impact windows also prevent home break-ins and invasion.

Cons: There are a few negatives.

• They cost more than standard windows, and there’s a possibility you’ll spend the money and never need them, especially where hurricanes and tropical storms are less frequent.
• Because of the inner layer of strengthening material, visibility out the window can be slightly altered.
• Beefy hurricane window frames can also be larger than standard window frames reducing the window area by an inch or so on each side.

How to Get the Best Price on Hurricane Windows

There are a few things you can do to get the best price on windows. Reading this hurricane window price guide was a great first step! Here are two more:

1. Continue to educate yourself by knowing your options. Review some of the manufacturer sites linked to above. Browse window styles and feature options. When you understand the product you’re buying, you have the power in the discussion.
2. When you decide to Get Started, request estimates from several local installers. Most will carry two or three window brand options. At least will probably be from the list above.