Florida residents face nature’s ill temper quite often and it’s no secret. Whether you have had a first-hand encounter with cyclones or not, it is wise to take precautions against it to keep your property and loved ones safe. While there are many ways to minimize the damage done by high winds, rain, and debris, impact-resistant windows and doors remain to be one of the most efficient solutions.
When it comes to hurricanes, last-minute decisions can make a dangerous situation worse if any mistakes are made. Hurricane windows offer a long-term and reliable solution to offset the ever-present threat of weather. If you are wondering about how hurricane windows work and what their benefits are, our guide can help you.
Why Impact-Resistant Windows?
When it comes to hurricanes, the damage can ensue in many ways. In some cases, winds as fast 180 miles per hour were recorded during cyclone events. This amount of windforce can uproot structures and cause an insurmountable amount of damage to life and property. They become even more dangerous as they pick up debris along the way.
During their course, hurricanes can pick up anything from dust, pieces of glass, street signs to broken wood which are carried at over 100 miles per hour. At that speed, a standard window is no match for these projectiles. If your house has a strong foundation, the only danger that you should be worried about is a broken window. Those who live near the coast must have impact-resistant windows to safeguard their house and loved ones.
With the help of a shatter film, impact windows provide an extra layer of protection to your house. In simple words, they are not easy to break and when they do, they don’t shatter on your floor. The shatter film keeps all the pieces of glass held together. Moreover, they also provide protection against unwanted intruders and vandals. As they are hard to break, anyone trying to break into your property will find it very difficult to do so.
Types of Hurricane Windows
- Laminated Glass
This type of glass is made from two separate sheets of glass glued together with the help of an inner-layer. They are the most popular choice of hurricane impact windows. It is the same technology that is used for making windshields for cars, however hurricane impact window manufacturers use a special interlayer and thicker sheets of glass.
- Insulated Laminated Glass
Insulated laminated glass is similar to standard laminated glass but the air between sheets of glass is hermetically sealed. In other words, these windows have an extra layer of glass on top of the laminated glass. The space between these layers is filled with a gas that serves as an insulator. This type of hurricane impact window is mostly used by people living in colder regions.
Besides the type of glass, you might also want to consider which tint is suitable for you when buying hurricane impact windows. Some common types of tints include CGI windows and Low-E glass coatings. They are more of an aesthetic choice and your contractor can help you decide which one is suitable for your house.
Choose the Right Contractor
When faced with so many options, homeowners often get overwhelmed and require help with deciding which type of window or tint they should go for. If you reside in Stuart Florida, Panorama Windows & Doors can help you pick out the right type of hurricane impact windows and install them at your property. If you want to learn more about hurricane impact windows or to get your quote, contact our amazing team today!