Situated right on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, Fort Myers is a stunning place to live, work, and play. With the river, local Gulf beaches, and even the Everglades within easy reach, there’s something to do every day of the year.
However, like the rest of Florida, Fort Myers residents and business owners must be prepared for severe weather. That’s particularly true during hurricane season.
One of the best things you can do to prepare is to install impact windows on your Fort Myers property. Why do impact windows in Fort Myers rank as a top choice for hurricane prep? Why is there a need to replace your property’s windows in the first place?
Fort Myers and Hurricanes: A Complicated History
To truly understand the need for impact windows on Fort Myers, FL, homes and businesses, we need to delve into the area’s complicated history with these storms. Below are some of the more recent storms to affect Fort Myers.
- 2004 – Hurricane Charley came ashore in Southwest Florida and plowed a path northwest across the state, causing over $1 billion in damage.
- 2005 – Hurricane Wilma affected the area, even though it made landfall 40 miles south of Fort Myers, hitting the area with wind speeds up to 125 mile-per-hour winds.
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma, a Cat 4 storm, hit Fort Myers and the surrounding area, causing immense damage.
- 2022 – Hurricane Ian, another Cat 4 storm, caused widespread damage throughout Southwest Florida, killing 156+ people, and causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damage. Ian was the deadliest storm to hit the region in over 80 years.
Note that the storms above do not even count tropical storms to affect the area, or the strong thunderstorms that often hit the city, many of which pack intense winds and can spawn tornadoes.
As you can see, Fort Myers is no stranger to strong hurricanes. Property owners in the area must act to protect their structures, whether homes or businesses. That preparation should include installing impact windows or other suitable hurricane protection.
What Happens to Conventional Windows During Storms?
If you’re on the fence about installing impact windows on your Fort Myers property, consider what can happen to unprotected, non-impact windows during a hurricane.
- Wind force can crack or shatter the glass.
- Glass shards inside the structure create a safety hazard.
- Damaged windows allow wind and rain into the structure, damaging sheetrock, carpeting, wood, and more.
- In some cases, hurricane-force winds can pressurize the structure, popping the ties that secure the roof and causing even more serious damage.
- Shattered windows are open invitations to intruders/looters.
In short, unprotected windows are major threats to a home or business. Of course, there are options other than impact windows. Fort Myers residents can always board up their homes, or they can opt for hurricane shutters. How do these choices compare to installing impact windows?
Impact Windows vs. Hurricane Shutters vs. Standard Hurricane Prep
Why should you consider impact windows for your Fort Myers home or business? Where do hurricane shutters fit into the conversation? These are important questions to answer.
The Question of Hurricane Prep
If you’ve lived in Fort Myers (or anywhere else in coastal Florida), then you’re familiar with the need for hurricane preparation and have probably boarded up more than your fair share of windows in the past. Conventional hurricane prep usually consists of boarding up windows and doors, putting out sandbags, making sure your generator is operational and has enough gas, and checking your stockpile of water, food, and other emergency rations.
With impact windows, Fort Myers residents and business owners can eliminate one of the most time-consuming, frustrating parts of hurricane prep: boarding up windows and doors. With impact-resistant glass, there’s no need to board up your home. That means no more time spent sweating while you anchor plywood sheets onto your home’s exterior. It also means no more stress about getting everything done, and no more screw holes in your home’s siding.
Impact windows are designed to take the full fury of a hurricane with no need for plywood or shutters. Impact windows are made of a three layered glass system. The inside and outside layers are sheets of glass. In between the two sheets of glass is a super-strong, polymer interlayer. The interlayer is the glue that holds everything together. It allows the glass to fracture but not to fall apart. It also is the reason why your home will not be exposed to outside elements, even if your window is damaged.
With no need to board up your home or business, it frees you to focus on other important elements and ensure that your property is ready for whatever might come.
Hurricane Shutters vs. Impact Windows
Hurricane shutters have been around for many years. These are heavy-duty devices designed to fold, roll, or slide over windows and doors, protecting them from storm winds and flying debris. You’ll find a wide range of hurricane shutter styles and types out there, from classic options like Bahama-style shutters and colonial shutters to modern roll-down and accordion-style shutters.
Hurricane shutters essentially serve the same purpose as impact windows. They prevent broken windows from occurring. This, of course prevents wind and debris from entering your home and ensure that pressurization doesn’t occur. However, they’re not suitable for everyone.
Here are some considerations to make when deciding between impact windows or hurricane shutters:
- Will shutters affect your home’s exterior appeal/aesthetic?
- Do you have space on the exterior of your structure for shutters?
- If you have existing non-hurricane shutters, is replacing them feasible?
Hurricane shutters remain a viable, popular option for anyone seeking hurricane preparation. However, impact windows offer even more robust protection and don’t need to be closed before a storm arrives, saving you time. That said, we’re proud to offer both hurricane shutters and impact windows for Fort Myers customers. We’re also happy to discuss your needs and budget to ensure you make the most informed decision possible.
See a detailed comparison in our guide on impact windows vs hurricane shutters.
Custom Impact Windows for Your Protection and Peace of Mind
Impact windows remain one of the best solutions for safeguarding your Fort Myers property vs severe weather. They can also deter intruders/thieves, reduce your energy consumption, and boost your property value. At Eurex Shutters, we’re proud to have served Southwest Florida for decades, and our experienced hurricane product installers can give you a quote on custom impact windows to fit your needs and budget. Contact us today for more information.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
