Also, that wrought iron could be wrapped in wood columns so that the porch roof doesn't look like its floating.I also find Pinterest to be a great resource for exterior house ideas.  

I table all of my comps before I start a rehab and besides columns for Sales Price, $/sqft, etc, I also have columns for:- Curb Appeal (1-10)- Flooring Types (Wood,Carpet, Tile, Laminate)- Staircase(Wrought Iron Spindles or Wood)- Master Bathroom (Type Vanity Tops?

This is a luxury property that I live in myself right now, this one is also a full rehab and attracts high end renters from downtown, has an 8 ft wrought iron gate around it, new everything!

They also have "stock" items where you don't have to wait, vinyl, wrought iron, pickets, iron panels, almost all types of fence.

We at first felt that why would we not just roll the dice since it'll cost us $50k just to file the claim should a major quake occur. 

What happens if I own 70 houses in Memphis and the New Madrid fault has a quake like happened in the 1800s?

First off, it is so expensive, it makes little to no financial sense to have it, the deductibles are so large, it is very unlikely that you would have a total loss (with exception of the old apartment buildings like in the Northridge quake of 94.Most single family homes are built out of wood which bend and give.

Looking for solutions more affordable that glass block with vents or wrought iron bars. 

Because this is wrought with peril (I know, I have seen many of these not work out), I am aiming for higher than 25x annual expenses.

It's a good idea in theory but in practice, it's wrought with may problems.