Do impact windows mean I don't need hurricane shutters at all?

If every opening (windows, doors, sliders and garage door) is protected by approved impact-rated products, you don't need shutters for those openings.

Is my garage door part of this?

Yes. A garage door is a large opening; a wind-rated door or a garage door brace matters for the house's protection and the wind mitigation form.

My Safe Florida Home has offered free inspections and matching grants for hardening, when funding is available. Check the program's current status before planning around it.

Guides / Hurricane Shutters & Impact Windows

Impact windows or hurricane shutters: which is better in Sarasota County?

General guide · Sarasota County, FL · Updated 2026-11-12

Both can protect your openings in a hurricane if they're approved products installed under a permit. Shutters usually cost less up front but need to be closed before every storm. Impact windows cost more but protect you all the time with nothing to put up, and they also help with noise, security and often energy efficiency. Many Sarasota County homeowners mix the two: impact windows where it matters most and shutters or screens elsewhere.

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Side by side

Up-front cost: shutters lower; impact windows higher.
Convenience: impact windows need nothing before a storm; panels take time and strength to put up; roll-downs and accordions are quicker.
When you're away: impact windows protect a seasonal home without anyone deploying shutters.
Everyday benefits: impact glass reduces noise and adds security; shutters do neither when open.
Insurance: both count as opening protection on the wind mitigation form when they meet the requirements.
Looks and light: impact windows look like regular windows; closed shutters darken the house.

What to ask installers

What license do you hold, and will you pull the permit?
What are the product approval numbers, and do they meet the design pressure for my home?
Who services the product, and what's the warranty on the product and on installation?
How long from order to installation?
Will you provide documents for my wind mitigation inspection?

How to check the license

Ask for the Florida license number and look it up yourself at myfloridalicense.com (the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Check that the name matches who you're hiring, the license type fits the job, and the status is current and active. Certified licenses are good statewide; registered ones only where the contractor holds a local license.

The license record doesn't show insurance, so also ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance.

Red flags

No license number for licensed work, or one that doesn't match the business.
A large deposit, especially in cash, before any work or permit.
Offering to skip the permit on work that needs one.
Pressure to sign today, or door-to-door offers after a storm.
A vague price with nothing in writing.

Common questions

Do impact windows mean I don't need hurricane shutters at all?: If every opening (windows, doors, sliders and garage door) is protected by approved impact-rated products, you don't need shutters for those openings.
Is my garage door part of this?: Yes. A garage door is a large opening; a wind-rated door or a garage door brace matters for the house's protection and the wind mitigation form.
Are there grants?: My Safe Florida Home has offered free inspections and matching grants for hardening, when funding is available. Check the program's current status before planning around it.

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General information, not legal, insurance or financial advice; rules and prices change, so confirm with the pro, your county and your insurer. aBlueC does not vet providers: check their license and insurance before hiring. Not for emergencies: call 911.