Protecting Bay Windows and Other Large Windows From Storms
Large, elegant windows are a prized feature in any home. Bay windows, bow windows, and wide picture windows flood our homes with natural light and provide beautiful panoramic views. Unfortunately, these large expanses of glass are also a huge vulnerability during a hurricane. They present a massive target for flying debris and are subject to immense wind pressures.
Many homeowners with these beautiful architectural features feel anxious, believing they are impossible to protect. The good news is that they are not. At American Hurricane Shutters, we have extensive experience in designing and installing custom solutions for even the most challenging and wide windows. This guide will explore the best options for securing these critical areas.
Why Large Windows Are a Prime Target
A larger pane of glass is inherently more flexible and prone to shattering under impact and pressure than a smaller one. A breach in a large bay or picture window can allow a catastrophic amount of wind and rain into your home in an instant, leading to severe structural damage. Protecting them is not optional; it’s essential.
The #1 Solution for Bay and Bow Windows: Custom Accordion Shutters
For windows that project out from the house with multiple angles, like a classic bay or a curved bow window, there is one solution that stands out for its versatility and effectiveness: the **custom-configured accordion shutter**.
How We Protect Angled Openings
A standard accordion shutter runs along a straight track. To protect a bay window, our expert technicians use specialized, adjustable-angle tracks. We install a continuous track that precisely follows the 32-degree, 45-degree, or custom angles of your bay window. The accordion shutter is designed to glide smoothly around these corners, allowing a single, continuous shutter to enclose the entire opening.
- Benefit: This creates a seamless, incredibly strong barrier with no gaps or weak points. The shutter stacks neatly on one or both sides when not in use.
- Cost: The investment is based on our standard accordion shutter price of $34 per square foot, with an increase depending on the complexity of the angles and tracks required.
- Alternative: What msot homeowners buy instead are our Aluminum Panels, which are easy to install for a limited number of openings, and don’t require the complex cuts (and potential upkeep resulting from this). They are also cheaper at **$18 per square foot**.
The Best Solutions for Wide Picture Windows and Walls of Glass
For large windows that are wide but straight, such as a large picture window or a series of sliding glass doors, you have several excellent options.
Roll-Down Shutters: The Sleek, Seamless Choice
A single, wide-span roll-down shutter is often the most elegant and convenient solution. We can manufacture a single shutter that is wide enough to cover the entire opening.
- Benefit: When retracted, the shutter is completely hidden in its housing box, preserving your panoramic view. A motorized version allows you to secure the massive opening in seconds with the push of a button. However, there must be enough framing material between windows to mount the legs.
- Cost: This premium solution starts at $48/sq ft for manual, with a $700 per opening cost for motorization.
Hurricane Fabric Screens: The Lightweight Champion
Our Alutech StormTex Hurricane Screens are a fantastic and cost-effective option for very wide openings.
- Benefit: The fabric is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to handle a very large screen. It’s also translucent, so you don’t lose all the natural light from your big window.
- Cost: At approximately $44 per square foot, it’s often more affordable than a rolldown system for the same size opening.
Storm Panels: The Most Affordable Option
Our Bertha HV Storm Panels can also be used to protect large windows. For very wide spans, we install removable vertical braces, or mullions, that the panels lock into. This provides the necessary support across the middle of the window.
- Benefit: This is the most budget-friendly way to get rated protection, starting at just $18 per square foot for aluminum.
- Consideration: This is the most labor-intensive option, requiring you to install both the panels and the support braces before a storm.
Don’t Let Your Beautiful Windows Be a Liability
Your large windows are a beautiful feature of your home, and they deserve to be protected by a system that is just as well-engineered. Our team has the expertise to design a custom solution for any size or shape of window, ensuring your home is secure from every angle.
As a family-owned, fully insured business with a portfolio of thousands of unique installations, we are the trusted choice for custom storm protection in the Carolinas. Call American Hurricane Shutters today at (910) 256-1288 or email the owner, Matthew Burns, at matt.burns@ahscarolinas.com for your free, on-site consultation.
