Price of hurricane glazing beats out storm shutters, study reports

With the first named storm of the 2006 hurricane season already passed, and more to come—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between 13 and 16 named storms, with as many as 10 turning into hurricanes—residents and business owners in hurricane zones might find themselves purchasing storm shutters and panels, and paying to have them installed several times throughout the season.

However, a recent report based on a 2005 cost study of aluminum double-hung windows found initial investments in impact-resistant glazing could end up saving residents money in the long run, according to a June 8 release from interlayer producer Solutia Inc. of St. Louis, sponsor of the study. 
 

Source: Ducker Worldwide, Troy, Mich.

According to results of a 2005 Ducker Research study of dealer prices of aluminum double-hung windows, an impact-resistant laminated window costs consumers an average $512, about $134 more than a non-impact window with a storm panel. The study from Ducker Research, part of Ducker Worldwide in Troy, Mich., also found the average price of a non-impact window with a storm shutter was $717 and a non-impact window with electronic roll-down shutter totaled an average $1,437.

Installation of panels and shutters create additional costs for owners, explains Stephany Davenport, market development manager for Solutia.

“The elderly, the infirm and even folks who aren’t in the state when a storm is brewing, end up [paying] 10 times as much [for installations],” Davenport says, citing reports of $600 an hour for services. “With impact-resistant laminated glass, the protection is already there. Just keep windows locked and leave.”

Residents and businesses in hurricane-prone areas also will have greater access to storm glazing as more producers set up new locations and grow current operations.

On June 5, officials from Oldcastle Glass of Santa Monica, Calif., announced that the company acquired Miami-based Florida Laminated & Tempered Glass. It will operate as a satellite location to the Oldcastle Miami facility.

Cardinal Glass Industries of Eden Prairie, Minn., also set out on the last leg of construction for a new laminating facility in Ocala, Fla., scheduled to open in August.