If you live in a hurricane-prone region, such as coastal areas along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, and more, you might already be familiar with hurricane-resistant windows and just how important they are in providing a form of peace of mind in these high-risk areas. In this post, we'll speak about how they differ from regular windows.

Hurricane-Resistant Windows And Their Sturdy Construction

One of the biggest differences between the two types of windows is the glass that is used. Regular windows are made from standard glass, which breaks if you punch it hard enough. Now, that really isn't going to be of much use during a hurricane because once the window shatters, wind, rain, and debris are going to rush in, and that's a disaster waiting to happen.

Hurricane-resistant windows are built differently, so to speak. They use laminated glass, which has two or more layers of glass bonded with a tough plastic interlayer, usually polyvinyl butyral or PVB. If something hits it, the glass might crack—it is glass, after all—but it won't shatter nor scatter into deadly and sharp shards. It isn't just the glass alone; the frame that holds it is equally responsible for this durability because hurricane-resistant windows come with reinforced frames made from tough materials like heavy-duty vinyl, aluminum, or composite blends. Regular window frames are made from wood or basic aluminum, so they cannot possibly withstand the intense pressure and impact that these specialized frames are able to.

Impact Testing and Wind Resistance

Hurricane-resistant windows go through a training camp, essentially, before they're allowed to enter the market. They've got high standards to uphold, so they go through rigorous testing beforehand. Manufacturers invest in facilities or partner up with one that is capable of simulating the environment present in a hurricane, including high-speed winds, crashing debris at the glass at high speeds, wind pressure, etc. If they aren't able to clear the test, they fail, and it's back to the drawing board. Most windows—though this, of course, varies from one brand and product to another—are capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 mph, which is a Category 5 hurricane.

More Than Just Storm Protection

The benefits of hurricane-resistant windows go beyond merely protecting against storms. Even in cities that don't observe heavy winds and rain, these windows can be found due to the numerous other benefits they bring to the table, such as:

  • Tougher glass and reinforced frames make it much harder for a bad character to break the window and gain unwelcomed entry.
  • Naturally, due to the heavy frame and heavy glass, the extra layers block out street noise drastically. This makes a home feel much quieter.
  • Many impact windows come with UV protection and heat reduction, which act almost like a passive climate control for a building. It keeps the indoors cool, which cuts down on energy bills in the long run. Furthermore, UV rays harm the skin and furniture. With hurricane-resistant windows blocking it out, it prevents your furniture and flooring from fading along with protecting every living being inside.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, it really is a no-brainer that having impact-resistant windows is the right thing to do because it is one of those upgrades in a home that you don't need till you do. Undeniably, they cost more than regular windows and require a specialized window installation service. Considering its numerous benefits, safety being arguably the biggest one, it certainly makes for a solid investment.

Conclusion

Consider regular windows to be a daily driver on the track; it simply cannot compete with the supercars present there. However, supercars do require special attention. So, when considering a window replacement service, make sure you choose one that specializes in window installation for impact-rated products. Impact-resistant windows aren't just good protection against bad weather but end up improving several aspects of a home, from safety to sound insulation to energy efficiency.