Short answer: an impact window in St. Petersburg costs an estimated $900–$2,000 installed for a standard size, and a whole house of 12 to 16 openings typically lands between $15,000 and $30,000. In return, the openings stay protected all year with nothing to put up when a storm turns toward the bay.
How the glass works
An impact window uses laminated glass: two layers bonded to a tough clear interlayer. When wind-borne debris strikes it, the glass can crack, but the interlayer holds the pieces together and the pane stays in the frame. The frame itself is heavier than a standard window and is anchored into the wall at closer spacing, because the real danger in a hurricane is an opening that fails and lets the wind pressurize the house.
Every product we install carries Florida Product Approval for the pressures it has been tested to. The approval number goes on the permit, and the inspector checks that the installation matches the tested method.
Why St. Pete homes need protection at all
The Florida Building Code puts all of Pinellas County inside the wind-borne debris region, and the city designs for 145 mph winds. In practice that means new windows have to be impact-rated or covered by approved shutters. The choice is not whether to protect the openings, only how.
Impact glass compared with shutters
- Accordion and roll-down shutters are permanent and quick to close, but they cost a lot per opening and change the look of the house.
- Storm panels are the cheapest route, but someone has to store them, carry them and bolt them up before every warning.
- Impact windows cost the most per opening, but there is nothing to deploy, and they bring year-round benefits: less street noise, most UV blocked, and better security, since laminated glass is hard to break through.
Every style, impact-rated
Single-hung, sliding, casement, awning and picture windows all come in impact versions, and so do sliding glass doors and French doors. Frames come in white, bronze and several colors, with clear, Low-E, tinted or obscure glass. From the street, a well-installed impact window looks like any other new window.
What to ask any impact window installer
- What is the Florida Product Approval number for each unit, and what design pressure is it rated to?
- Will the permit be pulled in your company's name?
- How will each window be anchored into the wall, and how many anchors does the approval call for?
- Do the doors on the quote carry the same impact rating as the windows?
Impact window prices
| Job | Estimate | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Impact single-hung or slider | $900–$2,000 | Laminated glass, reinforced frame, standard size |
| Large impact picture window | $1,800–$4,000 | Big fixed lites over 25 sq ft |
| Impact glass by opening size | $55–$100 per sq ft | A rough check on any single quote |
| Whole house, 12–16 openings, impact | $15,000–$30,000 | Every opening protected, no shutters |
About these figures. They are estimates from Florida impact-window pricing and national guides, reviewed October 8, 2026, and they move with opening size, frame and glass. Your measure produces a written quote that lists each opening with its impact price beside the non-impact one. Full breakdown in the window price guide.
Related services
Also in St. Petersburg: window replacement · sliding glass doors · window repair, or new window installation for additions and remodels.
Questions
Do impact windows break?
The outer pane can crack when something hits it hard, which is how it is meant to work. The laminated layer holds the broken glass in place and keeps the opening closed, so wind and rain stay out. A cracked impact pane should be replaced, but the house stays sealed until it is.
Are impact windows worth it if I already have shutters?
Sometimes not. If your shutters are in good shape and someone is always home to put them up, the extra cost is harder to justify. Impact glass earns its keep for owners who travel, struggle with heavy panels, or want protection that is always in place.
Can I get a wind-mitigation discount with impact windows?
Florida insurers have to offer discounts for proven wind protection, and opening protection is one of the features they credit. The credit generally needs every opening protected, and it is confirmed by a licensed wind-mitigation inspection. Ask your agent what it is worth on your policy before deciding.
Last updated October 8, 2026