Impact-rated glass shutters and storm protection panels for homes and commercial buildings. Miami-Dade tested, wind-rated systems installed across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Protect your Arlington home from derecho-force winds or upgrade your Bethesda commercial building with permanent impact glass. Year-round protection with security, noise reduction, and UV filtering benefits.
185+
MPH Rated
99%
UV Blocked
STC 45
Noise Rating
24/7
Protection
System Types
Four glass hurricane shutter systems, each with distinct advantages. We help you choose the right system based on your property, budget, and protection needs.
Full window replacement with impact-rated laminated glass in reinforced aluminum or vinyl frames.
Laminated glass panels that mount over existing windows and doors before a storm and remove afterward.
Folding glass shutter panels that stack to one or both sides of the window opening when not in use.
Motorized or manual rolling shutter systems with impact-rated glass slats that roll down from a housing above the window.
Impact Ratings
Impact glass is tested by launching projectiles at the glass at specific wind pressures. We specify the right rating for your location and risk tolerance.
Entry-level impact rating suitable for areas with moderate wind risk. Glass panels are tested against small missile impacts (2-gram steel balls) at design.
Ideal for: Inland DC metro properties, general storm protection, security applications
Enhanced impact rating for properties requiring higher wind resistance. Tested against large missile impact (9-pound 2x4 lumber at 50 fps) at elevated.
Ideal for: High-value properties, coastal Virginia, commercial buildings requiring higher protection
Maximum impact rating for the highest level of wind-borne debris protection. Products at this level survive the large missile impact test at the highest.
Ideal for: Government facilities, critical infrastructure, maximum protection residential
Testing Protocol
After debris impact testing, impact glass must survive 9,000 cycles of alternating positive and negative wind pressure -- simulating the sustained push-pull forces of a hurricane on the building envelope.
3,500 cycles of inward-pushing wind pressure simulate the direct force of hurricane winds against the glass. The cracked but intact glass must resist deflection and maintain its seal within the frame.
1,750 cycles of outward suction pressure simulate the leeward-side forces that pull glass outward. This tests whether the interlayer can hold the cracked glass in the frame against sustained suction.
3,750 additional cycles alternate between positive and negative pressure, simulating the chaotic pressure fluctuations during a real hurricane. Only glass that survives all three phases earns certification.
Advantages
Impact-rated laminated glass prevents wind-borne debris from breaching windows and doors. When glass is struck, the laminated interlayer holds the pieces together, maintaining the building envelope seal and preventing dangerous pressure changes that cause roof failure and structural damage.
Impact glass that stops flying debris at 130+ mph also stops forced entry attempts. Laminated glass is extremely difficult to break through, providing continuous burglary resistance without the need to deploy shutters. The glass may crack under repeated blows but the interlayer resists penetration.
Laminated impact glass reduces exterior noise transmission by 25 to 50 percent compared to standard single-pane windows. The PVB or SGP interlayer dampens sound vibrations, achieving STC ratings of 34 to 45. This is a significant benefit for properties near highways, airports, and commercial areas.
Laminated glass blocks 99 percent of ultraviolet radiation, protecting interior furnishings, artwork, flooring, and window treatments from fading and degradation. UV protection is an inherent property of the PVB interlayer and requires no additional coatings or films.
Impact-rated windows and shutters can qualify for insurance premium reductions. Many insurance companies offer wind mitigation credits for homes and commercial buildings with impact-rated glazing. The savings can offset a significant portion of the installation investment over time.
Impact glass windows and hurricane shutters increase property value and marketability. Buyers in storm-prone and high-wind areas actively seek properties with impact protection already installed, viewing it as a premium feature comparable to upgraded roofing or generator systems.
How We Work
We survey every window and door opening, measure dimensions, assess existing frame conditions, evaluate wall construction for mounting,
We specify the impact glass rating, interlayer type, frame system, and mounting method for each opening based on size, exposure, and local code requirements.
Impact glass panels are laminated, cut, and edge-finished. Frames, tracks, and mounting hardware are fabricated.
We install frames, set impact glass, test operation, and seal all connections. For removable panels,
Glass Science
Impact-rated glass consists of two or more panes of glass bonded together with a tough, flexible interlayer -- typically PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or SGP (SentryGlas Plus). When wind-borne debris strikes the glass, the outer pane may crack or shatter, but the interlayer holds the fragments in place, preventing the debris from penetrating into the building.
The interlayer is the critical component. Standard PVB interlayers are 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick and provide good impact resistance for most applications. SGP interlayers are approximately 5 times stiffer and 100 times more tear-resistant than PVB, making them the choice for the highest impact ratings and large-span glazing.
After impact, the laminated glass may have a spider-web crack pattern, but it continues to function as a barrier against wind and water. This post-breakage integrity is what distinguishes impact glass from standard tempered glass, which shatters into small pieces and leaves the opening completely exposed.
Impact glass is tested according to ASTM E1886 (test method) and ASTM E1996 (performance specification). The tests involve launching projectiles at the glass at specific velocities, then applying cyclic wind pressure to simulate sustained hurricane conditions. The glass must withstand both the impact and the subsequent wind loading without breach.
The Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is the most rigorous impact glass certification in the United States. Products with Miami-Dade NOA certification have passed the large missile impact test -- a 9-pound 2x4 lumber section launched at 50 feet per second -- plus 9,000 cycles of positive and negative wind pressure.
We specify products with the appropriate certification for your location and building code requirements. While the DMV area does not require Miami-Dade certification, many property owners choose it for the highest available level of protection and the insurance premium benefits it provides.
Common Questions
Regional Risk
The DC metro area faces real severe weather risks that make impact glass a smart investment for property protection, security, and peace of mind.
The 2012 derecho brought sustained winds over 80 mph across the DMV, causing billions in damage. Derechos are fast-moving windstorms that produce hurricane-force straight-line winds.
Remnant hurricanes and tropical storms regularly track through the DMV, bringing 50-80 mph winds, torrential rain, and wind-borne debris from downed trees and construction materials.
The DMV averages 30-40 severe thunderstorm events per year. Microbursts and downbursts within these storms can produce localized winds exceeding 100 mph.
The DMV has experienced multiple tornadoes including the 2001 College Park tornado (F3) and a 2023 tornado in Montclair, Virginia. Impact glass provides meaningful protection against tornado-lofted debris.
Service Areas
Arlington, McLean, Great Falls, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Leesburg, Centreville
Northern Virginia experienced sustained winds over 80 mph during the 2012 derecho. Impact glass shutters protect homes along I-66, Route 7, and throughout Fairfax County from severe thunderstorms, microbursts, and tropical storm remnants that track through the region.
Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Columbia, Annapolis, Gaithersburg, Bowie, Laurel, Germantown, Frederick
Maryland coastal properties in Annapolis and along the Chesapeake Bay face the highest wind risk in the DMV region. Inland properties in Montgomery and Howard counties benefit from impact glass for derecho protection, security, and year-round noise reduction.
Georgetown, Kalorama, Foxhall, Cleveland Park, Spring Valley, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Tenleytown, American University Park, Palisades, Embassy Row
DC historic homes and embassy residences install impact glass to protect irreplaceable properties from severe storms while maintaining architectural character. Government buildings and diplomatic facilities specify impact-rated glazing for combined storm and security protection.
Permanent hurricane and impact-resistant glass for windows, doors, and skylights.
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Learn MoreReady to Start?
Call us today or request a free estimate. We will assess every opening in your building, specify the right impact rating, and design a storm protection system that fits your property and budget.