For people living in West Palm Beach, hurricanes are a real threat. To protect your property, you need to know the differences between impact-resistant glass and hurricane shutters. Which of the two is better for you? Use this detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of both to make an informed decision as to which of these options is right for you.

Impact-Resistant Glass

Impact-resistant glass, also known as hurricane windows, are made up of two pieces of glass. Inside is an invisible layer of film that helps give the window extra support without taking away visibility. The biggest problem with impact-resistant glass is that it is fairly costly. Good impact-resistant glass can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. As far as safety goes, they are able to stop most debris that is thrown at them. However, large objects may still have the power to break through. After all, it is still simply glass enforced with a protective film.

Pros:

• offers better curbside appeal than hurricane shutters
• very energy efficient thanks to its two layers of glass and protective film
• great at deterring thieves because they are difficult to break
• no preparation is required in the event of a hurricane
• increases the re-sell value of your home

Cons:

• expensive
• does not offer as much protection as hurricane shutters

Hurricane Shutters

Unlike impact-resistant glass, hurricane shutters are large shutters that you mount onto the side of your house in the event of a hurricane. Although these shutters might not be as attractive as impact-resistant glass, they tend to offer more protection because a majority of them are made out of metal. Also, most hurricane shutters tend to be less expensive. Despite the cheaper cost, they offer a lot more protection than impact-resistant windows.

Pros:

• no need to worry about breaking glass
• prevents injury be keeping objects from flying through windows
• extremely durable – most hurricane shutters are made out of metal
• most will last a lifetime

Cons:

• not as attractive as impact-resistant glass
• still have to prepare by making sure all of your hurricane shutters are in place before a hurricane hits
• not all are made to last – some are made out of metal, but others are made of wood and cloth which break down over time and need to be replaced

Regardless of whether you have impact-resistant glass or hurricane shutters, you need to know when to evacuate. Hurricanes are powerful enough to tear apart houses, so stay up to date with your local news to find out if you are in an evacuation area. If not, have plenty of food and water on hand before the hurricane hits. There is a good chance that you will lose power, so keep food that is easy to prepare without electricity.

Last but not least, make a list of emergency contacts. Get these supplies together while you still have access to resources such as the Internet. If you end up losing power, this kind of information may be difficult to find.