Impact-resistant windows are a must for homes in hurricane-prone areas. They protect against high-speed winds, debris, and intruders.
They also increase your home’s value. Insurance agencies recognize the importance and offer discounts to homeowners who install them.
High-Speed Winds
High-speed winds are the most significant problem during hurricane season. They can devastate homes, causing roofs to collapse and walls to crumble. They can also destroy trees, signs, and other debris.
Suppliers like impact resistant windows West Palm Beach have created materials that can endure severe winds and protect the family during a hurricane. If you’re in the market for new windows, look for an impact window with a Design Pressure (DP) rating of at least 15. These windows are tested to determine how much pressure they can withstand before breaking or bending.
These ratings are based on a series of tests that involve striking windows with 9-pound 2-by-4s at different wind speeds. These tests are carried out by the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) and government building codes in various hurricane-prone regions.
Debris
Hurricanes, tornadoes, and straight-line winds are all powerful weather phenomena that can cause damage to your property and possessions. Having impact-resistant windows can help prevent the damage above from occurring.
These windows are built with an inner layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between the two panes of glass, which helps them resist shattering when debris hits them. They also have sturdier frames that reduce the likelihood of wind penetrating them.
Once flying debris penetrates a home, internal pressure builds up and can force the roof off. This can also be shattered windows and doors.
When choosing your window, you should ask the company if they have a permanent product label indicating its impact resistance. If they don’t, you should consider choosing one that does.
Intruders
Besides the fact that they can keep your home safe from hurricane-force winds, impact-resistant windows are also great at deterring burglars. According to Safewise, burglaries happen every five seconds in Florida, and one of the most accessible places for criminals to gain entry is through your windows or doors.
Impact-resistant windows do work of what’s called “inner-membrane glass.” They use two panes of glass pressed together with a polyvinyl butyl film that keeps them from shattering when they get hit by an object or forceful impact.
Polyvinyl butyl helps prevent atmosphere pressure from building inside your home as the window or door breaks, which can cause structural damage if not dealt with quickly.
If you want to take your hurricane protection to the next level, consider installing impact-resistant windows. They’re guaranteed to hold up against the worst storms, keeping your family and possessions safe while reducing energy costs!
Increased Value
Impact-resistant windows are a worthwhile investment for any home in hurricane-prone areas. They can add significant value to your property by reducing your risk of storm damage and may qualify you for lower homeowners insurance premiums (ask your insurance company for details).
These windows are crafted with laminated glass that eliminates up to 99 percent of UV rays, protecting your carpets, furniture, and other interior elements from discoloration. They also help reduce noise transmission into your home by a noticeable amount.
These windows also provide excellent energy efficiency, saving you money on your heating and cooling bills over the long term. In addition, they will increase the resale value of your home.