Hurricane shutters work, but they’re a hassle. Plywood works, but it’s worse. Impact glass — the laminated, hurricane-rated kind — is built to stay intact when something hits it.
It’s also more expensive than standard glass, which is why most homes still don’t have it. Here’s what impact glass actually is, when it makes sense, and the questions to ask before you commit.
What “Impact Glass” Actually Means
Impact glass is laminated glass: two layers of glass bonded together with a tough plastic interlayer (typically polyvinyl butyral, or PVB). When something hits it, the glass might crack — but the interlayer holds the broken pieces together. The window stays in place. Wind can’t enter. Debris can’t follow.
Not all laminated glass is hurricane-rated. The hurricane-rated stuff (often called “impact-resistant” or carrying ratings like ASTM E1996) is tested against specific impact and pressure conditions. Two ratings matter most in our area: “Large Missile Impact” (a 9-pound 2×4 fired at 50 feet per second) and “Cycle Pressure” (repeated pressure simulating hurricane wind loads).
How It Performs in a Storm
Standard glass breaks when struck, leaving a hole in the window opening. Wind enters the house. Pressure builds inside. The roof can lift off. Impact glass cracks but stays in place. The opening stays sealed. The home stays pressurized normally.
This is the same principle that’s behind windshields — laminated glass that holds together when struck. The technology in impact glass is more advanced (thicker interlayers, tougher chemistry), but the concept is the same.
The Cost Question
Impact glass costs roughly 2-3x what standard tempered glass costs for the same window size. For a typical residential window, you’re looking at maybe $400-$800 more per opening, depending on size and complexity.
For a whole-house impact glass upgrade, the price varies dramatically based on how many windows and what size. A small home with 10-12 windows might run $5,000-$10,000 above standard window replacement cost. Larger homes with bigger windows can be $20,000-$40,000+.
Considering impact glass? Text photos of the windows you’d want to upgrade to (504) 368-8826.
Where Impact Glass Makes the Most Sense
Not every window needs impact glass. The cost-benefit changes based on location — both within your home and within the metro.
Most cost-effective: windows on the windward sides of the home, large picture windows that would be hardest to shutter, and second-story windows where shutters are dangerous to install. Lakefront homes facing the south shore see the most direct storm exposure and benefit most. Garden District homes with original windows often need impact upgrades when historic-style frames are reproduced.
Less important: small bathroom windows, north-facing windows in a home with good shutters, or windows already protected by structural overhangs.
If you’re replacing windows anyway, the upgrade cost to impact glass is smaller than a separate retrofit. Build the upgrade into the project.
Insurance Discounts
Many homeowner’s insurance policies offer discounts for impact glass installation. The exact discount varies by carrier and policy, but it’s usually 5-15% on the wind portion of the premium. Over the life of the home, that can substantially offset the upgrade cost.
Ask your insurance carrier specifically about “opening protection” credits. You’ll typically need documentation showing the glass meets specific impact rating standards — we provide that for every impact glass install.
Commercial Applications
For commercial properties, impact glass goes a step further. Storefronts, entry doors, and large display windows can all be specified in impact-rated glass. The upgrade cost is high, but the protection during a storm — and the post-storm continuity of operations — is substantial.
We handle commercial impact glass for restaurants, retail, office buildings, and medical facilities throughout the New Orleans metro.
Ready to Get Started?
Star Glass Inc. serves Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the greater New Orleans metro. Reach us any way that works best for you:
Call or text: (504) 368-8826 Email: glass@starglass.com
Visit us: 1000 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053