Hurricane resistant windows offer protection from high winds and flying debris. They may also help homeowners qualify for lower home insurance rates in hurricane-prone areas.
Look for a label or insignia etched into the glass when shopping for hurricane resistant windows. This will provide information on the window’s thickness, safety standards, and how it meets Florida’s building code requirements.
Impact windows are heavy-duty glass options that protect homes and businesses from severe weather. They prevent the flying debris generated by intense and tropical storms from causing property damage and bodily harm. They also boost home security and generate energy savings, eliminating the need for storm shutters.
The most resilient hurricane resistant windows comprise laminated glass sealed into a frame with interior resins. Instead of shattering, they adhere to the resin and protect your home or business.
You can also find impact windows made from plastic composites, which are often referred to as plexiglass. These windows can withstand a beating and are an excellent choice for areas with many forced entries, such as coastal regions and busy city streets. They also offer high sound dampening, creating a peaceful and tranquil indoor environment. Impact windows shelter the interior of your house or company from dangerous UV rays and protect your family from storms and burglars.
For homeowners in areas like Florida, where severe hurricanes and strong windstorms are a constant threat, fortifying their homes with impact windows and doors is necessary. Although these windows are more expensive than ordinary ones, they are safer. They may help you save money on homeowner’s insurance because many insurers provide lower rates when suitable security is in place.
The secret to impacting windows is the tough laminated interlayer between the two pieces of glass. This layer is designed to resist the force of flying debris during a storm, and while it may crack under pressure, it is not likely to break loose from the frame or cause damage to other parts of your house.
Additionally, these windows are made with thicker frames and materials than standard windows to ensure they are resistant to extreme weather conditions. They are tested to withstand the force of flying debris and must meet specific requirements to be considered hurricane resistant.
Impact windows’ primary benefit is protecting homes and businesses from severe weather damage. Hurricanes and tropical storms generate strong winds, which can cause significant internal damage to poorly protected homes. Impact windows are a cost-effective and durable way to prevent this damage.
Another benefit of impact windows is that they offer 24/7 protection from burglary. This is because they are built with thicker glass and sturdy laminations, making them difficult to break through—many videos online of impact windows withstanding baseball bats and even crowbars.
In addition, impact windows are energy efficient and can help slash your electricity bills. They can also reduce outside noise and UV exposure. Impact windows may increase the price of a home by several thousand dollars when installed during new construction. Still, you can often recover this investment through reduced homeowner’s insurance premiums. This makes them a smart, forward-thinking investment that will pay off year after year.
The average cost of impact windows can be higher than traditional windows, but they are worth the investment for homeowners in hurricane-prone areas. They protect against damage from airborne debris, increase home value and safety, and may reduce homeowners insurance rates.
The building code in many hurricane-prone areas requires that homes have impact windows.
If you are considering new construction, opting for hurricane-rated windows can add up to a few thousand dollars to the price of the house. Still, that money can be recovered in reduced homeowners insurance premiums over time. Retrofitting your existing home with impact windows can be more costly, but it is still less expensive than replacing your entire window or door frame. Typically, more significant or custom windows will have a greater impact on the overall installation costs. This is because accommodating these designs requires more material and work.
