Home / Impact windows vs. shutters
Comparison · BrownsvilleImpact Windows vs. Hurricane Shutters
Two ways to protect your glass from a hurricane — what each costs and when each makes sense.
Impact windows vs. shutters
| Factor | Hurricane shutters | Impact windows |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | About $35–$350 per window (HomeGuide) | About $400–$1,200 per window installed (HomeGuide) |
| Storm prep | Close before a storm | Nothing to do |
| Covers doors & big glass | Yes — patio doors, storefronts, garages | Needs impact-rated doors too |
| Everyday benefits | Bahama/colonial add shade; roll-downs add privacy | Noise, UV and security benefits |
| Look | Visible when closed | No visual change |
Most protection per dollar
Shutters protect windows, doors and large glass for less per opening — the usual choice for budget, rentals and big sliding doors.
- Lowest cost per opening
- Cover doors and storefronts
- Keep your existing windows
- Roll-downs add privacy and security
Always-on protection
If you travel during the season, can’t close shutters yourself, or are replacing old windows anyway, impact glass removes the storm-day scramble.
- Protection with no action
- Quieter, cooler rooms
- Pairs with new-window upgrades
- No hardware on the façade
Get both options priced side by side
Free quote for shutters and impact windows in Brownsville.
Why Cameron County homes add shutters
The record from NOAA and the National Weather Service in Brownsville.
June 1 – Nov 30
The Atlantic hurricane season (NOAA NHC).
Dolly, 2008
Landfall on South Padre Island on July 23, 2008; gusts near or above 100 mph (NWS Brownsville).
Beulah, 1967
Landfall near the mouth of the Rio Grande on September 20, 1967 — still the storm of record for longtime Valley residents (NWS Brownsville).
Hanna, 2020
Hurricane watches, warnings and heavy flooding across the Rio Grande Valley in July 2020 (NWS Brownsville).
Impact windows vs. shutters FAQ
Impact windows or shutters?
Impact windows protect all the time with nothing to close, at about $400–$1,200 per window installed (HomeGuide — hurricane windows cost). Shutters cost less per opening and also cover doors and large glass, but need to be closed before a storm.
Do impact windows need shutters too?
No — impact windows are designed to resist windborne debris on their own. Some owners still add shutters to large doors or skylights.
Do impact windows help day to day?
Laminated glass also cuts outside noise and UV and adds security, with no storm prep.
Which is faster to install?
Shutters mount over existing windows; impact windows replace the window units, so the job is bigger.
What is a WPI-8?
A WPI-8 Certificate of Compliance is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance after a TDI inspector or an appointed Texas licensed professional engineer approves the inspections. A WPI-8 is required for the building to be eligible for wind and hail coverage through TWIA (TDI — windstorm inspection process).
Get your hurricane shutter quote in Brownsville & Cameron County
Tell us about your home or business, the openings you want protected and your timing. We follow up to talk through shutter types, windstorm paperwork and a realistic budget.
- Share the basics — home or business, number of windows and doors, timing.
- Get a call back — to compare accordion, roll-down, panels and impact glass.
- Plan the install — measurements, windstorm inspection and a written proposal.