Live Near a Golf Course in Florida? Your Windows Are a Target.
April 30, 2026Which one actually protects your home better?
If you're shopping for hurricane protection, you've probably run into the same two options over and over: impact windows and hurricane security screens. Both carry Florida Building Code approvals. Both cost real money. So what's the actual difference?
Key Takeaways
- Impact windows crack and need replacement after a hit. Hurricane security screens absorb the impact and stay intact.
- Screens cost less upfront and don't carry replacement costs after a storm.
- Stainless steel mesh is cut-proof. Impact glass can be breached with enough force.
- Screens block up to 90% of wind pressure before it reaches the glass.
Hurricane Screens vs. Impact Windows: The Full Comparison
| Category | Hurricane Security Screens | Impact Windows |
|---|---|---|
| After Impact | Stays intact. No replacement. WIN | Glass cracks. Needs full replacement. |
| Cost | ~$1,000 per opening installed WIN | $800–$2,800 per window installed |
| Full Home | Well under full window replacement cost WIN | $12,000–$60,000+ for 15–22 windows |
| Hurricane Rating | Category 5 rated WIN | Varies by manufacturer |
| Security | Cut-proof steel mesh. Stops forced entry. WIN | Resists break-ins but can be breached. |
| Wind Pressure | Blocks up to 90% before reaching glass WIN | Glass takes full wind load |
| Energy Savings | Blocks solar heat at exterior surface WIN | Some insulation and UV filtering |
| Deployment | Permanent. Always ready. TIE | Permanent. Always ready. |
| Maintenance | Windex and a garden hose WIN | Full replacement if glass cracks. |
| Visibility | Like a window screen. Added privacy. TIE | Clear glass. No visual change. |
What Are Impact Windows?
Impact windows replace your existing windows with laminated glass that has a polymer interlayer between two panes. When debris hits, the glass cracks but the polymer holds it together. They work, but once cracked, the entire window needs replacement.
What Are Hurricane Security Screens?
Hurricane security screens mount over your existing windows and doors from the outside. Fortress Screens are built from stainless steel mesh in a structural aluminum frame with 120,000 lbs of tensile strength, rated for Category 5 hurricanes. Most competing security screen brands only carry a Category 4 rating. One product delivers hurricane protection, break-in security, and energy savings.
Where Hurricane Security Screens Win
After Impact
Impact windows crack when they do their job and need full replacement. After a major storm, you could be waiting months for new glass. Hurricane security screens take the hit and stay intact. No replacement, no waiting.
Cost
A full home of impact windows runs $12,000 to $60,000+. Fortress Screens cost roughly $1,000 per opening installed, custom-built to your dimensions and backed by warranty.
Security
The stainless steel mesh is cut-proof. Even if someone breaks the glass behind the screen, the mesh stays intact. Impact glass can be breached with enough force and the right tools. Steel mesh can't.
Wind Pressure
Hurricane security screens block up to 90% of wind pressure before it reaches the glass. Impact windows take the full force. Less pressure means less chance of glass failure and less risk of your roof lifting.
Energy Savings
Screens block solar heat at the exterior surface before it heats the glass. That means lower AC runtime and reduced cooling bills, especially on south- and west-facing windows in Florida.
The Bottom Line
Impact windows work. But they break when they do their job, cost more, and can't stop a blade.
Hurricane security screens from Fortress absorb impacts without damage, block 90% of wind pressure, stop forced entry, and reduce cooling costs. Category 5 rated. Florida Building Code certified (FL32125.1-R2 / FL32125.2-R2). Permanently installed.
One screen. Three solutions.
Get a Free Estimate
Call (813) 515-7349 or request a free estimate online. We bring samples to your home, take measurements, and deliver a quote the same day.
