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Are Impact Windows And Doors Worth It?

Impact doors and windows are an innovative solution for protecting your home from strong impact from the outside. These impact-resistant windows and doors are designed to be very strong in their impact resistance, allowing homeowners to feel secure in knowing key entry points of their home have a significantly increased level of protection. Impact doors can protect against golf ball-sized impact hazards like hail and windblown debris, while impact windows dissipate impact forces rather than shattering as normal windows would. Both impact doors and impact windows are formulated with special laminated glass layers that absorb energy upon impact, creating an overall safer environment for homeowners.

How Do Hurricane Impact Windows Work?

Glass hurricane impact windows are designed with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer between the panes of tempered glass. The PVB keeps the shards of glass from flying apart when a window is smashed, even in high winds. The polymer layer is designed to hold together even if the window glass is broken by flying debris, keeping the wind and rain outside while the storm continues on the inside. At the same time, it keeps the glass from shattering into dangerously big pieces inside the house.

Impact resistance is greatly enhanced by having a sturdy frame. In order to guarantee perfect installation, great performance, and your peace of mind, certain impact windows come with installation holes pre-drilled.

What’s The Difference Between Impact Windows And Hurricane Windows?

Hurricane windows are not the same as impact windows. The former can endure strong winds as well as flying debris, whilst the latter is simply intended to withstand high winds. In extreme wind conditions, hurricane windows provide flexibility, while impact windows withstand direct impact force. Impact windows offer noise insulation, UV protection, and added home security in addition to storm protection.

Can Impact Windows Withstand Category 5 Hurricanes?

Windows having a hurricane impact rating of Category 5 or above are considered to be very durable. These windows are built to endure the intensity of a hurricane’s winds. Some impact windows may be able to resist winds of up to 157 mph (252 kph), while the most majority can survive winds of up to 140 mph (225 kph).

Hurricane windows have characteristics that make them resistant to strong winds.

Impact windows rely heavily on the PVB interlayer, a plastic layer integral to their construction. Thanks to the PVB interlayer, broken glass won’t pose a threat to anyone’s safety.

For the framework, often metal or reinforced vinyl is used to construct hurricane windows. As opposed to wood, which is often used for ordinary windows, these materials are significantly more durable.

Manufacturers of impact-resistant windows conduct extensive tests to verify that the hardware can survive strong winds. The hardware that holds the glass in place during a hurricane is also something they create.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind that no window is completely impervious. The strongest impact windows may crack under the pressure of persistently strong winds or splintering objects. That’s why you should always be prepared for the possibility that your windows may be broken during a hurricane by installing hurricane shutters. Can Hurricane Windows break?

Hurricane windows can break, but they are much less likely to break than standard windows. That’s because manufacturers design impact-resistant windows specifically to withstand the high winds and flying debris associated with a hurricane.

As previously established, the PVB interlayer is the key component that makes impact windows so robust. The interlayer prevents the shards of glass from flying apart in the event that the window is broken by anything like a rock or strong wind.

Despite the fact that they are manufactured to be considerably sturdier and more resistant to damage than standard windows, they are nevertheless vulnerable to some types of harm. A window may shatter if it is subjected to persistently strong winds or if a huge piece of flying debris strikes it at precisely the correct angle.

Here are a few factors that might damage the strength of your hurricane windows:

Improper Installation

If the window is not properly installed, it will be weaker and more prone to break. As a result, it’s critical to have skilled professionals install hurricane windows and guarantee they correctly seal and secure the windows to give the maximum protection possible.

Frame Damage

The window frame is as vital as the glass. When the frame is broken, the window might shatter. If your windows are broken or in need of repair, get them repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Poor-Quality Glass

Not all impact-resistant glass is manufactured the same. Some varieties of glass are more durable than others. Select high-quality impact-resistant glass for your windows.

The PVB interlayer will not be able to perform its work if the winds are severe enough to blow the whole window out of the frame. That is why it is critical to verify that your windows are properly placed and that the frame is firmly anchored to your property.

How Thick Should Impact Windows Be?

The thickness of impact windows should be between 7/16 and 9/16 inches (11.1-14.3 mm). Because of their width, they can endure strong winds and offer the optimum protection for your property. Some places may demand thicker windows, so consult your local building code standards.

Other considerations for determining the thickness of your impact windows include:

If you live in a loud neighborhood or wish to minimize the noise level in your house, pick windows that are at least 7/16 inch (11.1 mm) thick.

Thicker windows will also give greater protection against attackers; if security is a concern, look for windows that are 9/16 inch (14.3 mm) thick.

Because thicker windows may be more costly, you may need to achieve a balance between thickness and cost.

All in all, investing in impact-resistant windows makes the most sense if you live in an area prone to Hurricanes and other severe weather including hail, high winds and flying debris. In contrast with hurricane-resistant windows only designed to guard against high winds, impact-resistant windows are specifically designed to take a direct hit from objects such as fallen trees and branches. Furthermore, installing them also reduces the risk of water penetration should your roof or siding be taken out during a storm. Impact windows are also more durable than hurricane-resistant windows, meaning you can be sure of the safety of your family and belongings for years to come. You should consider upgrading to impact-resistant windows if you live in an area with frequent storms, as it can give you peace of mind knowing your house has additional protection.

Choosing impact-resistant windows for your home-protection needs simply provides the highest level of defense for your family and property. So, take the initiative today and contact one of our trusted professionals here at Window Replacement Group to get started! Let us install your impact windows and doors so that you can enjoy improved security while also increasing the resale value of your home.