Best Storm Windows of 2025

These impact-rated windows are built to withstand hurricane-force winds and flying projectiles. These are the three best from our evaluation.

These are not just double-paned glass or storm windows. Impact-resistant storm windows are engineered as complete structural units (glass, frame, and sash) made to withstand high-velocity debris and pressure changes from severe storms and hurricanes. They are built around laminated glass: two layers of glass bonded around a plastic interlayer (often polyvinyl butyral) that holds the panel together, even when the window is shattered. Unlike older storm windows, which are generally designed to improve energy efficiency in cold-weather areas, impact-resistant windows are tested and rated to help a home maintain its structural integrity during extreme events.

Impact-rated storm windows and hurricane shutters are both designed to protect your home from storm damage. But with shutters, you have to install or close them each time a storm is coming. Impact windows are always on duty. “It’s nice because you don’t have to do anything when the storm is coming,” says Ciufo. “The window is already there and functioning.” That kind of passive protection can be especially helpful during unforeseen evacuations or if you’re away from home when a storm hits. 

Yes. The same laminated glass that helps resist debris also blocks most UV rays, reducing sun damage to furniture and flooring. Storm windows can also reduce noise, helping to muffle the sound of traffic, your neighbors’ partying, or their leaf blower. They’re also harder to break through than standard glass windows, which can be a small deterrent against burglars. And some are Energy Star certified, meaning they may qualify you for a $600 tax credit for the 2025 filing year. Keep in mind you may have a harder time finding storm windows in inland areas, as some manufacturers and retailers prioritize stocking them in storm-prone regions. 

Storm windows are significantly more expensive than standard replacement windows. For a typical home, installing impact-resistant windows can cost roughly 20 to 40 percent more than standard windows. Sliding glass doors and large fixed panes add to the cost. But in hurricane zones, installing them may raise your home’s resale value and save you money on insurance over time.

Possibly. In hurricane-prone regions, discounts for installing impact-resistant windows are common, though amounts vary by insurer and area. And in some cases, it’s not a discount; it’s a requirement. “If you’re in a hurricane zone, many times you’re required by your insurance company or local building codes to have impact windows,” says Ciufo. Impact windows are required by code in some Florida regions, especially the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), including Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It’s worth checking local regulations before making plans.

With storm codes tightening and expectations rising, CR set out to see whether the newest impact-rated windows live up to their promises. Each window was subjected to simulated hurricane conditions, including cyclic wind pressure tests to mimic the suction and gusts of a real storm, water infiltration checks to reveal leaks under wind-driven rain, and a projectile test to see whether the glass could withstand a blow from a 9-pound two-by-four, hurled at 30 mph. We also evaluated whether the glass stays intact and whether the overall structure of the window, including the frame and the sash, held up.