As a South Florida homeowner, you have multiple options for safeguarding your property from devastating hurricane winds and flying debris. While plywood is a cheap way to cover your windows during a storm, there are better – and more practical, stylish, and high-performing – ways to secure your home. One of them is the installation of impact-resistant glass windows. If you’re in the market for window installation and want to know more, keep reading on why you need impact windows.
What are Impact Windows
Impact windows protect the home from harsh weather conditions. To avoid damage, an impact window incorporates shatter-resistant glass.
How it Works
In addition to impact window film, some hurricane impact windows use an inner membrane technology that covers the area between the window panes. The PVB membrane holds the glass together and prevents it from spreading outward.
When combined with window film, this makes the windows nearly resistant to any type of breach or shatter, including Category 5 hurricane gusts.
Most frames are made of aluminum, vinyl, or steel. These strong frames withstand warping and rust buildup, rather than deteriorating like normal window frames. Steel and aluminum frames are the most durable, although they are more expensive than vinyl.
Top impact windows have the testing to back up their reputation, or, to put it another way, strength. They utilize a DP rating to determine how much wind they can sustain before breaking down or bending.
The distinction of DP ratings is that they are not only dependent on criteria such as glass thickness or window size. Instead, the experts only award a DP rating to a specific model that has undergone extensive lab testing.
History Of Impact Windows
In 1903, an unexpected discovery of impact glass was made in a research lab. Edouard Benedictus, a French scientist, unintentionally dropped a glass flask coated with plastic and quickly realized that the glass did not shatter into numerous fragments.
However, because it was first featured in gas masks during World War I, the popularity of impact glass did not take hold until much later.
Impact glass was created for windshields in vehicles, glass greenhouses, and music halls. In more recent times, the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 compelled Miami-Dade County to enforce building standards and requirements.
Impact Window Benefits
Aside from offering the best storm protection, impact windows provide numerous other advantages to homeowners. These windows can help you save money on electricity while also blocking out harsh UV rays. Impact windows are also a wonderful method to improve the aesthetic of your home, and they eliminate the need for shutters.
The double-pane glass is also very good at minimizing outside noise and giving further security against burglars. Many insurance companies can also reduce your premiums if you install impact doors and windows throughout your house.
Why You Should Consider Them For Your Next Home Improvement Project
Hurricane preparedness is an important component of living in Florida. While there are various advantages, such as tropical weather, there are also disadvantages, such as hurricane season. Many individuals end up taking numerous days off before a storm to put things together.
Impact windows provide year-round defense and require no preparation once installed. When you have impact glass, you will not have to wait until the last minute to put up shutters or board up your property with plywood. Contact Locktight today for a free consultation.
14 thoughts on “Why You Need Impact Windows ”
I feel like impact windows would be beneficial for any home. I mostly hear about them in states like Florida where they have hurricanes, but I think any house could use them.
Oh jeez, I hate to admit it but I am a Florida homeowner and I have not invested in Hurricane Impact Windows yet! I will be calling for an estimate soon.
It’s so important to be prepared for the types of storms and weather conditions you face where you live. Thank you for the safety reminder! 🙂
I learned something new about impact windows. I had no clue.
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so they say. I would rather have to get impact window for protection against typhoons and hurricanes.
This is awesome, I like the idea of impact window and it has some good features. Thank you for the review!
OH, this is so helpful! I haven’t thought about impact windows, but they do seem like a smart investment.
We are actually getting new windows soon, but we live in an area that doesn’t necessarily need impact windows. But I can see how these are a must in other regions.
Good windows are a must. It makes a big difference when you have to insulate your home to help against colder weather.
Hhhhmmmm…how I wish I had impact windows on my bedroom window! The winds can blow so strongly at times and I just pray the glass doesn’t shatter, injuring me!
Thank you for sharing about impact windows! That is must to need!
I’ve been thinking of getting impact windows. Hurricanes are a given here.
Oh wow I had no idea about impact windows. Thank you!
I wasn’t familiar with this kind of window before. It is nice to know that this is an option for homes, especially those prone to severe weather.