Do you live in an area that’s affected by potential hurricane impacts? Are you looking to do everything you can to be adequately prepared this season?
Installing hurricane impact windows is a step in the right direction as they are built to withstand harsh weather conditions and come with a lot of other benefits, but the question you’re probably asking yourself – are they better than you’re regular windows?
Today we are going to compare the two and help you make an informative decision and figure out for yourself if impact windows are worth the investment.
Preparing for a Storm
Hurricane impact windows, also known as storm-resistant windows, are by default designed to protect your property from an incoming storm. During a hurricane watch, if you’re using regular windows, you’ll need to additionally reinforce them in an attempt to minimize the potential damage. You can board them up with plywood or install hurricane shutters beforehand. When a watch is issued, you’ll want to prepare your property as fast as possible and move on to stocking on crucial supplies and planning an evacuation plan. Having windows that are manned and ready can provide you with valuable time.
Materials and Design
Windows designed to withstand tropical storms, strong winds, and even hurricanes use impact-resistant glass that’s additionally treated with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) layer that serves as a protective barrier and ensures their effectiveness. If, in fact, the highly durable glass does crack due to coming in contact with flying debris, it will not shatter into a thousand minuscule shards like a standard window would. Instead, the window will crack but remain whole inside its frame. That means that even if damaged, it will continue to provide protection.
What Is Impact Glass
The main contributor to the effectiveness of storm-resistant windows is impact glass. Impact glass is made up of 2 panes of glass laminated together. They are then additionally reinforced with a layer of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) between them, keeping the glass from shattering.
In contrast, standard windows use only one layer of glass that can easily shatter under harsh weather conditions. If the glass breaks, your home becomes jeopardized by water and wind. Not to mention that little pieces of glass flying around can do some severe damage.
Value and Energy Efficiency
Impact windows and doors don’t come cheap compared to standard windows. That being said, while they are an investment without a doubt, they also raise the value of your home and can even lower your insurance cost. They are built to last so rest assured, once you installed them, you won’t be changing them any time soon.
On top of that, impact windows offer much better energy-efficiency as they provide better insulation. In the summer, they improve the effectiveness of your AC and reduce heat due to their UV-resistant properties. This results in a lower electricity bill at the end of the month. Impact windows also reduce noise pollution, allowing you to have more peace of mind if you live in a traffic-congested area.
Have you ever used impact windows before? If so, share your experience in the comments below. If this article convinced you that these windows are better than non-impact windows, we could help you get a great deal on them and offer you the best financing options. Contact us and find out why are we considered as Miami’s Leader in Eco Impact Windows and hurricane impact doors.
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