You must have hurricane windows installed if you reside in a hurricane-prone location. They are one of the best defenses against wind-borne debris, which can cause severe damage to your home and its interior.
If you’re wondering whether your current windows are hurricane-proof, there are several ways to check. First, try to hold something up next to the window and observe if you see multiple reflections.
Impact Resistant Glass
The glass used in Hurricane Proof Window is designed to withstand severe winds and item impact. It is essential because a window that breaks during a storm could open your home to the elements and allow rain, current, and debris inside mid-storm.
These windows also have heavy-duty frames that resist warping, rusting, and other wear and tear. They come in various styles, including casement, awning, horizontal/roller, single-hung, fixed, and architectural shapes.
Often, these windows also offer UV protection and outdoor noise reduction that can help you save money on energy bills and reduce your insurance costs. In addition, they can increase the value of your home.
Impact-resistant windows are often rated for a particular amount of force they can take without breaking, called “design pressure.” The higher the rating, the better they perform during hurricanes. This rating is based on the wind speed and size of the window.
Laminated Glass
When it comes to protecting buildings from natural disasters, laminated glass is an excellent choice. It provides increased safety as the glass does not shatter immediately, which allows people to escape during a fire or an earthquake.
Laminated windows are made by bonding two panes of tempered, annealed, or heat-strengthened glass together with a thin layer of film, usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB), between them. This layer helps the glass to remain intact even after an impact from a hurricane.
These windows were designed after it was discovered that glass windows could shatter and cause a dangerous spray of shards to fall into the home during storms. They use a layer of laminate PVB that adds flexibility to the panes so that they may flex a little during wind-resistant gusts.
These windows are designed to withstand the type of hurricanes that Florida typically sees during hurricane season. They also offer various features to increase your security and peace of mind.
Tempered Glass
Suppose you are looking for a safe and secure way to keep your home safe from storms; consider hurricane-proof windows. These windows are made of thick panes of glass that are bonded together with a clear, flexible plastic called polyvinyl butyl or PVB.
This layer of safety glass is tempered and helps to increase its strength, durability, and thermal shock resistance. It also provides your home with an added layer of protection against UV rays that could damage furnishings, carpeting, and other items inside your home.
Tempered glass has four times the strength of annealed or ordinary float glass. It is due to the heating and cooling process that tempers it.
Permanent Marks
Hurricanes-proof windows are a must if you’re in the market for new windows or have just moved into your home.
The first way to check if a window is hurricane-proof is by looking for a permanent mark. This mark will usually indicate the supplier’s name, fabrication place, manufacturing date, thickness, and any certifications or safety standards the glass meets.
Another way to know if your window has impact-resistant glass is by holding something up against the window and looking for multiple reflections. It is because tempered and laminated glass is made with two sheets instead of one, and objects reflect numerous times.
Sometimes, a permanent mark will not be found on laminated or tempered glass because it is custom-cut to fit the window size. For this reason, many manufacturers will add a temporary label that tells you the same information.
