Jason here again talking about what else, but windows and doors and specifically Marvin windows, as that is what we do, and we try to do it the best of anyone. Marvin has been offering impact products for quite some time now. Marvin introduced their Integrity line just a few years ago, but it has proven to be the most popular impact window in eastern North Carolina.

Homeowners in Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, Topsail Beach, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach,and even Morehead City, Beaufort, and New Bern have taken advantage of Marvin and Integrity impact windows for the peace of mind they offer. Impact windows offer greater security from break-ins, they offer higher DP ratings, which mean they will perform through the worst Mother Nature can throw at them, and they also offer added energy efficiency and UV protection. Marvin offers a full line of impact windows in their aluminum clad wood window and door line with aluminum exteriors with a kynar finish, wood exteriors available in woods like Cedro Macho, Honduran Mahogany, Pine, and other woods as well. The Marvin Integrity series offers a full line of impact products as well, but not quite as many options as the ultimate line by Marvin. The ultrex fiberglass Integrity exterior coupled with impact glass is as good as a window gets, PERIOD.

Now that I have laid out for you the impact lines Marvin offers, lets talk about the differences of impact windows vs. hurricane shutters. There are many ways to do hurricane shutters from using 1/2" plywood to automated roll down shutters. For the sake of argument, we are going to assume that the cost to upgrade to impact windows is the same as your storm shutters, so the initial investment will be a wash. 1st, Shutters are seldom unsightly and the owner has to be present to secure the shutters in the event of a hurricane, unless the homeowner invests huge bucks and has an automated system. 2nd, Shutters make your home dark and in the event of a power outage like we tend to have in Wilmington, Topsail Beach, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, and so on, this can be a negative. 3rd, shutters a basically no benefit unless they are in the closed position, where impact windows offer greater energy efficiency (this was the case of a recent home in New Bern that purchased impact windows, mainly for the non-hurricane benefits). 4th, powered shutters can cause leaks, they can corrode, and can basically become a maintenance nightmare.


So you see, shutters offer very few cons over going with Marvin or Integrity impact windows, unless you are trying to cut corners and save money. Otherwise, I am sure you can find something else that will corrode or provide you with a list of honey-doos. Until next time, this is Jason, over and out............


PS, if you are a Pella, Andersen, or Jeld-wen rep reading my blog, I am looking for another window company to go head to head in a Q & A session for prospective home owners. You can reach me at the home gallery to schedule this event, and lunch will be on me. You have to bring your own samples. Thanks.