One of the major drawbacks regarding the use of hurricane shutters is the fact that they are solid and do not permit light to enter into a building when closed.  Many times during a hurricane there are power outages in large areas which leave residents who have closed hurricane shutters in total cave-like conditions.  This can go on for days at a time or until the storm passes and the shutters can be removed. 

A recent addition to hurricane protection is impact resistant glass.  The glass is able to withstand the winds and flying debris of hurricane season with the added benefit of being transparent.  The glass is a by-product of the automobile industry, made with two pieces of glass encasing a tough plastic inner layer of polyvinylbutyral.  Even the Miami-Dade building code declares the impact resistant glass strong enough to stand on its own without the extra protection of hurricane shutters. 

Adding to its popularity is the fact that the glass, unlike hurricane shutters, does not require installation or removal. The glass is a permanent feature of the building.

In early 2005, a similar product was introduced - ImpactShield[TM].  This foldable, almost invisible impact-resistant, high-strength fabric sits in a small weather-resistant holder at the corner of the window.  As hurricane weather approaches, the fabric is easily and quickly stretched out across the window, attached to a bar at the lower side of the window and fastened. 

Like impact resistant glass, the fabric is transparent allowing light into the building during a power outage.  The ImpactShield[TM] is said to fit almost any size window, stores easily, and remains intact during high winds protecting glass windows from flying debris.