Will Hurricane-Resistant Windows Protect Your Home?
How To Make Sure That Your Hurricane Resistant Windows Will Protect Your Home
As a result of the recent threat of hurricanes in Florida, many property owners have considered impact windows as an essential part of their hurricane protection plans. While there is a perceived risk of wind speeds reaching 100 miles per hour or higher, newer, and more hurricane-resistant windows have been developed to reduce the risk of damages. In terms of materials used to manufacture hurricane windows, vinyl is still typically the most popular. However, polyester and fiberglass are also becoming more common. Vinyl is still considered the best option because it is the most affordable, lightweight, and durable among the materials currently available. As hurricane season grows closer, many owners are now looking into other options to protect their homes from storm damage and loss.
What Type of Impact Windows are Good?
Among the many materials that can be used to make hurricane-resistant windows, there are two that are frequently overlooked by homeowners. The two materials are vinyl and polycarbonate, and each has distinct advantages that may be worth considering when choosing the ideal window. For starters, polycarbonate is one of the cheapest materials on the market, but not the most long-lasting. It can be easily broken into pieces when hit by projectiles, which means that all of the protection your family has spent on the window will simply be lost. On the other hand, vinyl does not break into large pieces but is much heavier than polycarbonate which may be a deciding factor if you live in an area that experiences high winds. In the case of hurricane impact windows, vinyl fares well.
When it comes to hurricane-resistant windows, laminated glass is often one of the first choices that homeowners make. Laminated glass is stronger than normal glass. It is an excellent choice for hurricane impact windows and sliding glass doors where you need strength against wind and hail. All of these factors prove that laminated glass should be the first option that you think about when looking for hurricane impact windows.
You may also decide that you would like to install impact-resistant windows with an interlayer between the glasses of the windows and your storm-proofed windows. An interlayer is a layer of plastic that is placed over your regular window material. This layer is usually made of either vinyl or PVC. Although both are very durable and long-lasting, they are a little bit thicker than regular vinyl or PVC interlayers. There are also several different brands of interlayers to choose from. The advantage of using an interlayer is that it creates an extra barrier of protection. It is much more effective at stopping the wind than regular vinyl and polyvinyl butyral sheets combined.
Installation of Impact windows
If you choose to use plastic or Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) windows, you want to make sure that you have the correct installation procedure done. Some people try to cut their PVC or vinyl insulation into pieces, but this can lead to premature failure. This is because cutting the material too short can cause the plastic to expand, causing the home to leak. Please note that the correct installation of impact windows is as important as the quality of the windows. If you want the best protection for your home, then it is recommended that you use a company with vast experience in installing hurricane-resistant windows. With a proper installation, you should have no problem finding the perfect solution to protect your home for years to come.
