Getting impact windows ready comes down to four jobs: clean the tracks, clear the weep areas, test every lock and close every panel. You can do all four yourself, with nothing more than a vacuum, a soft brush and a damp cloth. Do them before June 1, when hurricane season starts, and follow the manufacturer's care instructions wherever they differ from what's here.
Most people who buy impact windows are glad to be done with storm prep. John M. wrote about the "shutter dance" he wanted to leave behind, and that part is real: there's nothing to put up. But a window can only do its job closed and locked, and the time to find out a lock sticks is on a calm day in May.
Before you start
Go through the house room by room with a notepad and list every window and door. It's easy to check the living room and forget the laundry room window or the door to the side yard. Write down anything that sticks, drags or won't lock as you go, and deal with those at the end instead of stopping.
Keep your tools gentle. Anything abrasive can scratch glass or frames, and our guide to caring for impact windows near salt air lists what to keep away from them. That guide is about year-round care. This list is the one pass you make before the season.
The checklist
Tracks
Open each panel that moves and look at the track under it. Vacuum out the sand, leaves and grit first, then wipe with a damp cloth. On a horizontal roller window, the panel rides in that track, so dirt there shows up as a panel that drags. Slide it fully open and fully closed a few times. It should move without a fight. If it doesn't, don't force it, and don't reach for a spray lubricant unless the manufacturer's instructions call for one.
Weep areas
Many frames have small openings near the bottom that let water drain out. They're easy to miss and easy to clog. Look for them on the outside of the frame and clear them gently with a soft brush and a little water. Don't push anything sharp into them, and never caulk or paint over them. If you can't find yours, the care instructions will show you where they are, or you can ask whoever installed the windows.
Locks
Lock and unlock every panel, one at a time. Each one should latch fully and hold the panel snug against the frame. Watch for the lock that only catches if you lean on the panel. That's the one that ends up left unlatched.
If your windows are new, learn the hardware now. New locks don't always work like old ones. Marybeth, after replacing a garage door, wrote that "we had difficulty understanding the locking mechanism on our door" and that "Both times Carlos walked us through the steps and even offered to come out to demonstrate." Asking is the right move, and a good installer will be glad to show you.
Every panel, closed
Close and lock everything, then walk the house a second time to confirm it. Include the sliding glass doors, the French doors and the entry door. Include the small bathroom window and the one nobody opens. Then make sure everyone in the house knows how each lock works, not just the person who usually does it.
Three things people forget
- Bedroom exits. Bedrooms need an opening big enough to serve as an emergency exit. Check that bedroom windows open easily from inside and that no furniture blocks them.
- Openings that aren't impact yet. If part of your home still uses shutters, those openings need their own plan. Find the panels, count the hardware and label what goes where. Impact windows or hurricane shutters compares the two if you're deciding what to do with them.
- Your paperwork. Keep your window paperwork and your wind mitigation form (OIR-B1-1802) in one place. The form is valid for up to five years if the structure doesn't change materially and the form has no errors, so check its date. Homes with impact openings may qualify for insurance discounts, and savings vary by insurer and inspection.
What deserves a phone call
Most of this list is cleaning. These are not:
- A panel that won't latch, or a lock that works only some of the time
- A panel that still drags after you've cleaned the track
- A crack or chip in the glass
- A seal that's pulling away, or a gap at the frame
- Water coming in around the frame during rain
Call whoever installed them, and call in spring. If a part has to be ordered, you want that clock running well before June 1. Small adjustments are a normal part of owning these windows. Luis A. called us a year after his install and wrote that "he stop by within 24 hrs and took care of it."
When a storm is in the forecast
If you did this work in May, your list is short. Close and lock every panel, walk the house once to confirm and bring in anything loose from the patio. If you still have shutters on some openings, start with those.
If your home doesn't have them yet
Then the useful question is timing. When to book impact windows before hurricane season counts back from June 1, so you can see what's realistic this year and what belongs on next year's plan.
Ready to protect your home?