Impact Resistant Windows are a great way to ensure your home is safe from hurricanes. They combine a heavy-duty frame with impact-resistant laminated glass and a layer of durable material that stays intact after impact.
They undergo extensive testing to ensure they withstand high winds and are less likely to shatter when struck. This combination of materials protects your home from damage, boosts safety and reduces insurance costs.
Strength
Impact Resistant Windows are an excellent choice for hurricane-prone areas because they help prevent damage from heavy wind and storm debris. They prevent shards of glass from flying through the air and causing injury or property damage.
They also make it more difficult for burglars to pry open the windows and enter your home. This is a great way to keep your home safe and reduce crime risk.
These windows also protect your furnishings from the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, such as fading and discoloration of fabric, photographs, and carpets. This feature keeps your furniture and items in good condition for resale value.
Impact-resistant windows also provide better insulation than non-impact windows, which helps maintain the correct interior temperature and prevents your heating and cooling system from working overtime during extreme weather conditions. This can help save you money on your energy bills right after installation.
Safety
Impact windows protect homes from hurricane winds and flying debris, which can damage the home’s structure. These specialized windows are constructed with multiple layers of glass bound together by a plastic-like film between them.
In Florida, where hurricanes are common, these specialized windows are essential to preventing damage during storms. Once a home’s walls or roof is penetrated by wind-borne debris, pressure builds up inside the structure and can collapse in minutes.
To meet impact window standards, manufacturers must test a product to meet air infiltration, water penetration and structural performance requirements. They must also pass simulated wind-borne debris pressure cycles to ensure that the product maintains its integrity.
Impact-resistant windows also prevent fading and discoloration of furniture, carpets and photographs due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. They also help keep interior temperatures comfortable and dampen noise pollution.
Energy Efficiency
When a hurricane or a strong wind blows through your home, it can push objects into the windows, such as tree branches and patio furniture. If these objects break through your window, they can cause damage to the structure and the interior contents of your home.
This can lead to costly repairs. Plus, a broken window can allow hurricane winds into your home and increase pressure inside. This can cause the walls and roof to separate and crumble, resulting in catastrophic structural failures.
Energy-efficient impact-resistant windows are a smart way to prevent this kind of damage. They are specially designed to minimize the amount of air leakage and provide high energy performance ratings to help you save money on heating and cooling costs.
Increased Value
One of the most significant benefits of a properly installed set of impact-resistant windows is the long-term protection it will provide your home. Not only does it withstand hurricane-force winds, but it also prevents water damage and theft of expensive items like furniture, electronics and artwork.
The best part is that it will only cost you a few thousand dollars in new construction, and it might be worth it in the form of lower homeowners insurance premiums in the long run.
Aside from being able to hold up under the most intense of storms, impact glass is typically comprised of a high-performance interlayer of laminated and tempered glass combined with a substance like polyvinyl butyral (PVB). In addition, the windows have other impressive properties, including their ability to effectively insulate your home by reducing air leaks, temperature shifts and heating and cooling bills. Considering the numerous advantages impact windows can offer, it is no wonder they remain an industry favorite among architects and designers alike.
