What Are the Best Coastal Impact Windows? Top 8 Replacement Brands (2026)

Replacing your windows with impact-resistant models is one of the most meaningful upgrades you can make to a home in a storm-prone area. But with so many brands claiming to offer the best storm windows and best impact windows, it's hard to know who to trust — and harder still to compare them apples to apples. Are they worth the investment? And what actually separates a good impact window from a great one?

Every year at Renewal by Andersen, we work with thousands of homeowners who live on the coast who ask us these questions. This guide breaks down eight of the most considered impact window brands: Pella, Marvin, Window World, Champion Windows, PGT, Ply Gem, JELD-WEN, and Renewal by Andersen. For each brand, you'll find a quick overview, key specs, honest pros and cons, and a clear "best for" summary. By the end, you'll have what you need to make a confident decision for your home.

What Happens to Your Home When a Hurricane Hits?

When a hurricane or tropical storm hits, many homeowners are worried about water in their home if a window breaks. But the worst damage can occur when a window or door is broken, allowing wind to enter the home, causing higher internal pressure on the inside. These higher internal pressures combined with external pressures can cause severe structural damage—the roof may blow off, or the walls may collapse.

Preserving your home’s “envelope” is critical during hurricanes and tropical storms. The right windows or hurricane shutters can help keep your home intact and can minimize damage. But which impact window does a better job, and which is best for you?

A note about hurricane codes

At Renewal by Andersen, we’re window experts, but we’re not storm experts. Always follow local authority recommendations during severe weather events. Have an emergency plan ready for your household — and when authorities say it's time to go, go. We're in the business of helping you protect your home, but your safety always comes first.

Always confirm windows meet your local building code requirements before purchasing.

What Is a Coastal Impact Window?

A coastal impact window, sometimes just called a coastal window or a hurricane window, is a type of window specifically designed to withstand hurricane-force winds, torrential rains, flying debris, and other harsh weather conditions.

Here are some of the components unique to coastal impact windows:

• Heavy-duty frame and sashes: The frames and sashes of impact windows are often thicker and stronger than on standard windows, and are commonly made of vinyl, aluminum, clad-wood or composite material.
• Laminated glass: Impact windows have glass that is bonded to a shatter-resistant polymer. They are designed so that even if a large object hits it, the glass may crack, but it stays in the frame or sash, helping to prevent a large hole from forming.
• Additional parts: Coastal impact windows may have external reinforcements, extra installation fasters or clips, or other additional parts.

What Should You Look for in the Best Impact Windows?

The best impact windows aren't defined by price alone. They're defined by how well they perform, how they're built, and how they're installed. Here's what to evaluate:

• Frame and sash material: Composite, fiberglass, and reinforced vinyl are the most common materials. Composite and fiberglass are generally considered the most durable.
• Performance: Look for windows tested and rated to recognized standards. Performance Grade (PG) is a measure of a window’s air infiltration resistance, water penetration resistance, forced entry resistance, and other performance-related aspects. The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), specific to Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida, is one of the most rigorous benchmarks in the industry. If you live in these areas, you’ll need windows that comply with HVHZ requirements. If you don’t live in this zone, products that are HVHZ approved can still give you greater peace of mind.
• Warranty coverage: Look at what's covered (glass vs. non-glass), how long, and whether it transfers to a new homeowner.
• Installation model: Some brands sell through dealers or big-box stores; others handle installation in-house. Full-service installation can reduce the risk of errors and warranty disputes.
• Designed for replacement: If you’re looking to replace windows in an existing home, make sure they’re specifically designed for replacement. Some brands make windows that are primarily built for new construction, which may require more work to fit into existing openings.

What Are The Best Impact Window Brands?

Pella

Pella is one of the most recognized window brands in the U.S., with a long history of product testing and innovation. Pella has three lines of impact products: Pella® Hurricane Shield™ Series, Pella® Defender™ Series, and Pella® Reserve™ Series. Each product line has multiple style offerings (double-hung, casement, etc.) that go through rigorous testing.

Both Hurricane Shield and Defender Series lines are made with vinyl, which according to This Old House, is not as durable as composite or fiberglass. Their Reserve Series is wood or aluminum-clad wood.

• Styles: Awning, casement, sliding, single-hung windows
• Frame material: Vinyl or wood/aluminum-clad wood
• HVHZ approved: Yes
• Warranty: Laminated glass is covered for 10 years, non-glass components are not transferable
• Pros: Rigorous testing, HVHZ approved, widely available
• Cons: Made of vinyl, which is not as durable as other materials or wood, which can require more maintenance than other materials
• Best for: Energy-conscious homeowners who want rigorously tested impact windows and prefer the convenience of a widely available brand

Marvin

Marvin makes standard-sized and custom windows for both new construction and replacement projects. Their Ultimate™ Collection and Elevate® Collection lines are impact windows and are rated to 50 psf (wind zone 3). In 2025, they discontinued their Coastline products, which met the HVHZ requirements.

• Styles: Awning, bay/bow, casement, double-hung, direct glaze (picture), glider, specialty windows
• Frame material: Wood interior with wood or aluminum exterior (Ultimate); wood interior with fiberglass exterior (Elevate)
• HVHZ approved: No
• Warranty: Warranty coverage length is shorter than most companies (e.g., 5 years for hardware, 3 years for screens) but is fully transferable
• Designed for replacement: No
• Pros: Strong warranty, fiberglass exterior is a strong material
• Cons: Only certified up to wind zone 3; wood exterior can suffer from rot due to exposure to the elements, aluminum exterior is easily corroded by salt air and has poor energy efficiency
• Best for: Homeowners who live outside of HVHZ areas and want a durable impact window

Window World

Window World is a national franchise known for competitive pricing and in-house installation. The Window World Impact Series covers several popular window styles and is a solid choice for homeowners outside of high-velocity hurricane zones who want storm-rated windows without a premium price tag.

• Styles: Double-hung, single-hung, sliding, casement & awning, picture, architectural (specialty) windows, patio doors, entry doors
• Frame material: Vinyl
• HVHZ approved: No
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty is not transferable; according to This Old House, they have “vague warranty terms that vary by location”; and no warranty can be found online
• Designed for replacement: Yes
• Pros: Among the lowest average price per window of any brand reviewed, in-house installation service, wide style selection within the impact line, sloped sill design for improved water drainage
• Cons: Not HVHZ approved; vague warranty terms vary by location; installer workmanship quality reported (by This Old House) as inconsistent in customer reviews; product manufactured by a third party and relabeled as their own
• Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners in moderate storm-risk areas who want impact-rated windows without the premium price

Champion Windows

Champion Windows is a full-service window company that handles sales, manufacturing, and offers in-home installation, similar to Renewal by Andersen. Their impact product line, Comfort 365® Coastal Series, does not meet the HVHZ requirements.

• Styles: Shaped (specialty), double-hung, casement & awing, sliding, picture windows
• Frame material: Vinyl
• HVHZ approved: No
• Warranty: Lifetime limited transferable
• Designed for replacement: Yes
• Pros: Plenty of styles, manufactured by the Champion Windows factory in the U.S. (Cincinnati, OH), full-service model with in-house installation, limited lifetime transferable warranty
• Cons: Does not meet the HVHZ requirements, vinyl framing is less durable than composite or fiberglass, style and product availability can vary significantly by region
• Best for: Homeowners who want the convenience of a full-service company at a more accessible price point

PGT Windows

PGT Windows is one of the most established impact window manufacturers in the country, with deep roots in Florida's coastal construction market. Their windows are built specifically for hurricane zones and are widely used in both new construction and replacement projects throughout the Southeast region of the U.S.

• Styles: Casement, single-hung, double-hung, sliding, awning, picture, specialty windows
• Frame material: Vinyl, aluminum
• HVHZ approved: Yes
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Designed for replacement: Yes, through contractor and dealer network
• Pros: Deep expertise in Florida's building code requirements, wide range of impact-rated styles and configurations, strong track record in high-volume coastal markets
• Cons: Sold through contractors and dealers, not a full-service model, warranty and installation accountability split between manufacturer and contractor
• Best for: Homeowners working with a contractor who is already familiar with PGT products

Ply Gem

Ply Gem is a large building products manufacturer that produces windows primarily for new construction and builder-grade projects. Their impact-rated products are available through contractors and distributors rather than through a direct-to-homeowner sales model. Their impact-resistant products are available in the MIRA Series, 1500 Vinyl Collection, 4700 Series, 4800 Series, and Classic Series.

• Styles: Double-hung, casement, awning, picture, bay, bow, sliding, geometric shapes (specialty) windows and patio doors
• Frame material: Aluminum-clad wood, vinyl, or aluminum
• HVHZ approved: Yes, including patio doors
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty, not transferable
• Designed for replacement: Their impact-specific products are designed for new construction, not replacement
• Pros: Wide product range for builders and contractors, competitive pricing at the builder-grade level, broad distribution network
• Cons: Not designed primarily for direct homeowner replacement projects, homeowners typically need to source their own installer, less transparency in the direct-to-consumer buying experience
• Best for: Contractors, builders, or homeowners working directly with a general contractor on a new construction or full renovation project

JELD-WEN

JELD-WEN is one of the largest window manufacturers in the world, offering a broad range of materials, styles, and price points. Their ImpactGard® protected glass is available on all of their standard products in vinyl, wood, and fiberglass, giving homeowners more material flexibility than most brands.

• Styles: Single-hung, double-hung, awning, casement, bay, bow, sliding, fixed (picture) windows
• Frame material: Vinyl, wood, or fiberglass, depending on the product
• HVHZ approved: Yes, Custom™ Wood Windows, Premium™ Vinyl Multi -Slide Patio Doors
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty, some are transferable and some are not (check specific products)
• Designed for replacement: No
• Pros: Widest material variety, broad distribution through dealers, contractors, and home improvement stores
• Cons: Not full service, so homeowners typically need to source their own installer
• Best for: Homeowners who want material flexibility, are working with a contractor, or want to compare multiple price tiers before committing

Renewal by Andersen

What kind of list would this be if we didn’t mention ourselves? Renewal by Andersen is the full-service replacement division of Andersen. We custom-make every window to fit your home at our factories in Minnesota and Georgia. Our Acclaim® Impact windows are certified for use in HVHZ and wind zone 4 areas, able to resist the effects of salt water, and able to stand up to hurricane-force winds and wind-borne debris.* We also install Andersen® patio doors with Stormwatch® protection.

• Styles: Double-hung, casement, awning, picture, sliding, specialty windows
• Frame material: Fibrex® composite material
• HVHZ approved: Yes
• Warranty: Fully transferable limited warranty: 20 years (glass), 10 years (hardware), 2 years (labor)
• Designed for replacement: Yes
• Pros: Made with Fibrex material, HVHZ approved, designed for replacement, custom-made windows, fully transferable limited warranty
• Cons: Not a lifetime warranty
• Best for: Homeowners in coastal or storm-prone areas who want a premium, worry-free experience with one company managing everything—and who value durable, custom-built windows backed by professional installation

Ready to get started?

If you're weighing your options and want a clearer picture of what impact windows would look like for your home, let us know. Schedule a free consultation with Renewal by Andersen to get a professional assessment of your windows, a look at the Acclaim® Impact windows collection, and the information you need to make a confident decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best impact window brand for hurricane zones?

For HVHZ areas like Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida, Renewal by Andersen® (Acclaim® Impact windows), Pella (Hurricane Shield Series™ and Defender Series™), Ply Gem, JELD-WEN, and PGT Windows all offer options. Most of Renewal by Andersen's Acclaim Impact windows carry a forced entry resistance rating of grade 40, the highest grade of forced-entry resistance**, and are made with Fibrex® composite material for added durability. Always confirm windows meet your local building code requirements before purchasing and installing.

What frame material is best for impact windows?

Composite and fiberglass are generally considered the most durable frame materials for impact windows, particularly in coastal and high-humidity environments, according to This Old House [https://www.thisoldhouse.com/windows/best-storm-windows]. Fibrex composite material and fiberglass outperform vinyl in dimensional stability and in resistance to moisture, salt air, and temperature extremes. Vinyl is still widely used and performs well in most climates, but it's not as durable as composite or fiberglass materials over the long term.

What does HVHZ approval mean?

HVHZ stands for High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Windows with HVHZ approval have been independently tested to withstand extreme wind pressure and flying debris. If you live in Miami-Dade or Broward counties in Floria, HVHZ approval is a building code requirement. Outside of those areas, HVHZ-approved windows still offer a higher level of storm protection than non-approved impact windows.

Are national or local brands better for impact windows?

Neither is automatically better — it depends on what you value most. National brands like Renewal by Andersen, Pella, and Marvin offer consistent product standards, established warranties, and broad service networks. Local or regional brands may offer more personalized service, faster response times, and competitive pricing in specific markets. The most important factors are HVHZ approval (if applicable to your area), quality of frame material, warranty terms, and installation process. A national brand with in-house installation and a strong warranty can provide more accountability than purchasing from a large brand and hiring a separate contractor.

Do impact windows require professional installation?

Professional installation is strongly recommended for impact windows — and in many hurricane-prone areas, it is required by local building codes. Even the best impact window will underperform if it is not installed correctly, and coastal impact windows often require more installation details than a non-coastal window. Some warranties also include conditions that void coverage if windows are not installed by a licensed professional. Full-service companies like Renewal by Andersen install their own products through trained Certified Master Installers, which consolidates accountability under one company.

Citations

* Tested to NAFS and TAS 201, 202, and 203. Performance values vary by product. See your local code official for building code requirements. Visit renewalbyandersen.com/coastal for performance information.

**Renewal by Andersen® windows are tested in accordance with test standard ASTM F588.