10 Mar Hurricane Impact Windows vs. Standard Windows: What’s the Difference?
Living in an area prone to hurricanes means preparing your home to withstand the strong winds, rain, and debris that come with these storms. One of the most important parts of that preparation is ensuring that your windows are strong enough to resist the impact of flying debris. While standard windows may be able to withstand some wind and rain, they are not designed to withstand the intense impact of flying debris during a hurricane.
This is where hurricane impact windows come in. These windows are specially designed to withstand high-velocity winds and the impact of flying debris. But what makes hurricane impact windows different from standard windows? In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between these two types of windows and why impact windows are the better choice for homes in hurricane-prone areas.
Construction
The construction of hurricane impact windows is different from standard windows. Impact windows are made of laminated glass, which consists of two or more layers of glass with a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between them. This construction makes the glass much stronger and able to resist the impact of flying debris.
In contrast, standard windows are made of a single layer of glass. While this glass may be tempered or treated to make it stronger, it is not strong enough to resist the impact of flying debris during a hurricane.
Strength
The strength of hurricane impact windows is measured by their ability to resist wind pressure and the impact of debris. These windows are tested to withstand wind speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and the impact of debris traveling at speeds of up to 50 feet per second.
Standard windows, on the other hand, are not designed to withstand the impact of flying debris during a hurricane. They may be able to withstand some wind and rain, but they are not strong enough to resist the intense impact of debris.
Safety
One of the key benefits of hurricane impact windows is their ability to keep you and your family safe during a hurricane. The laminated glass used in impact windows is designed to stay intact even if it is broken. This means that the glass will not shatter into dangerous shards that can cause injury.
Standard windows, on the other hand, can shatter into dangerous shards when broken. This can cause serious injury to anyone inside the home during a hurricane.
Energy Efficiency
Hurricane impact windows are also more energy-efficient than standard windows. The laminated glass used in impact windows is thicker than the glass used in standard windows, which helps to reduce heat transfer and block UV rays. This can help to reduce your energy bills and protect your furniture and other belongings from fading due to sun exposure.
Standard windows, on the other hand, are not as energy-efficient as impact windows. The thin glass used in these windows can allow heat to transfer into your home, which can increase your energy bills and damage your furniture and other belongings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you live in a hurricane-prone area, it’s important to invest in hurricane impact windows to protect your home and keep your family safe. While standard windows may be able to withstand some wind and rain, they are not designed to withstand the intense impact of flying debris during a hurricane. Hurricane impact windows, on the other hand, are specially designed to withstand high-velocity winds and the impact of flying debris.
These windows are made of laminated glass, which is much stronger than the glass used in standard windows. Impact windows are also more energy-efficient and can help to reduce your energy bills and protect your furniture and other belongings from sun damage.
If you’re unsure whether impact
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