If you live in South Florida, chances are that hurricane-proofing your home is pretty high up there on your priority list. Every year when you inevitably have to put shutters up in the sweltering heat, you may find yourself muttering under your breath, “If only there was a permanent alternative to shutters that would hold up against flying debris AND hurricane force winds.” If this person is you, allow us to introduce you to your new best friend come hurricane season: impact resistant windows.
Hurricane impact windows have a layer of Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) that is pressed between panes of glass in order to stop the window from shattering when struck by flying storm debris. While the glass may break, the PVB layer is responsible for keeping the glass shards in place and the window still intact.
The top 5 benefits to hurricane-related windows and doors are:
1. Protection from Hurricane Damage
Impact resistant windows act as a 24/7 protective shield for your home so you and your family stay safe during hurricanes. Both the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) rigorously test hurricane impact windows for missile projectiles.
In order to get the stamp of approval, impact resistant windows must undergo two series of tests. The first one shoots ten projectiles out of a cannon, followed by a nine-pound piece of lumber, at multiple points of the glass.
The second test uses a machine to blow varying degrees of pressure against the glass. If the hole from the projectile is less than five inches, and does not let anything larger than a three-inch sphere pass through, the hurricane impact windows pass the test.
2. Theft Protection
Home burglaries occur much more frequently than most would expect. A home gets broken into every 20.9 seconds in the United States. Conveniently, impact resistant windows make it almost impossible for intruders to break into your home.
While the glass may shatter in the event that someone tries to smash through your hurricane impact window, the hole will be too small for anyone to pass through. The impact windows are so good at keeping outsiders from getting into your home that many people have them installed for this reason alone.
3. Insurance Premium Discounts
The great news for homeowners is that most insurance providers offer premium discounts if you install impact resistant windows in your home. Are you unsure if your policy offers discounts for hurricane impact windows? It’s worth giving your insurance company a call to find out; the savings may end up completely offsetting the original cost of installing impact resistant windows in your home
4. Noise Reduction
Are you tired of waking up to your neighbor mowing the lawn on a Saturday morning at 7:00 am? Then impact resistant windows are a fantastic investment. They will help significantly reduce outside noise, making homeowners who live in a busy city or by a noisy highway the perfect candidates for these windows.
Are you seriously impressed with the benefits of having impact resistant windows, while simultaneously wondering why you haven’t gotten them installed yet? Us too. Contact us today for a free in-home estimate.
5. Increase Energy Efficiency
It’s pretty safe to say that if you are a homeowner in South Florida, chances are you’ve been guilty of spending more than you needed to on your energy bill. Summer heat is felt all year-long, meaning that the last thing you want is for any of your precious air conditioning to escape.
Energy efficient hurricane impact windows are made of laminated glass that use LoE coatings. They will reduce the amount of energy you use in your home throughout the year by keeping the cool air in, and the gross, humid air out.