Hurricanes are, without a doubt, one of the scariest natural disasters that we can experience. It is, therefore, no wonder that we are doing our best to try and avoid the consequences as much as possible, and that we are looking for ways to protect ourselves and our properties when a hurricane hits. If you live in an area that is prone to them, then there is absolutely no denying the fact that you will want to do your best to get properly protected as well.
The high winds, the debris flying around, the rapid pressure changes, and the torrential rainfall… All of those things can be quite dangerous, and they can actually turn your beautiful home into a dangerous place to be in and around. So, it is completely normal for you to wonder how you can actually protect it. And, well, while there are various things you can do, today we are going to be talking about a specific one.
Let me cut right to the chase. We are going to be talking about how impact window installation can actually help protect your home during a hurricane. These products are definitely known for being rather important, and people in hurricane prone areas are increasingly having them installed on their homes. If you are thinking of doing the same, you probably don’t want to jump towards it before actually figuring out how they work and how they can actually protect you.
But, you do want to do it before the next hurricane season, though, because it is better to be safe than sorry. This means that you want to get informed quickly, and you want to figure out right away what it is that impact windows really bring to the table, so that you can then decide for yourself whether you want to get them or not. And, well, if you are ready to learn, then you have come to the right place, because below we will talk a bit more about how impact windows can be of help.
What Are Impact Windows?
Of course, before we get to that part, we first have to ensure that you understand what impact windows are in the first place. And, well, to cut right to the chase, we are talking about specially engineered windows designed to resist shattering and penetration during those high winds and generally extreme weather events. Consisting of laminated multi-layer glass, these won’t break on impact, like the regular windows built with standard glass would. So, instead of shattering into pieces, the glass remains intact.
Furthermore, they also have heavy duty frames that are made from aluminum, as well as a strong polymer interlayer, and impact rated seals and anchoring systems. All of this makes them extremely durable and weather resistant. For example, the interlayer is important because, even if the glass cracks on impact, the interlayer will hold it firmly together, preventing the creation of openings that can let in not only wind, but also debris. In short, thus, we are not talking simply about windows that are stronger, but about windows that have been created with protection in mind, and that surely serve their purpose perfectly.
How Can They Help You Protect Your Home During a Hurricane?
Okay, now that you understand what impact windows are, what you want to do next is figure out how they can actually help you protect your home during a hurricane. I assume that you already have some ideas about this, especially since I’ve talked about the strength and the type of the glass above. But, let use make things clearer anyway, and help you really understand this, so that you can then decide for yourself whether you want to have these installed on your home or not.
Here is some more on how to get ready for hurricane season: https://www.cdc.gov/hurricanes/safety/index.html
First things first, I am sure you know that flying debris is one of the biggest dangers during hurricanes. What impact windows do is they prevent those from, well, breaking the windows, and thus entering inside your home, causing a lot of damage, and possibly even injuring the people inside. Built to resist impact force, these absorb shocks without shattering into dangerous pieces, all of which keeps the inside of your home perfectly safe.
Now, what you may not have known is that internal pressurization is another danger to expect in case your window fails. What does this mean precisely, though? Well, to put things simply, when a window breaks, the high speed wind will swoop in, increasing the pressure inside your home, which can result in further damage, such as roof uplifts, wall collapses, as well as total structural failure. Impact windows prevent this from happening by remaining in place during the hurricane and resisting the impacts.
We’ve been talking about wind quite a lot, but here’s a question. What about the rain? When your window breaks, your home is left vulnerable to the impacts of rain as well. This means that the property is in danger of flooding, as well as mold growth, rotting wood, damaged insulation, and even destroyed flooring and drywall. So, when you get these impact rated products, you will also avoid such problems, meaning that they can protect your home against water damage too.
Why Are They a Good Idea Beyond Hurricane Season?
Sure, you get the importance of these products during hurricane season. But, you have to live with them even outside that season, so you probably want to know if they are a good idea overall. And, the truth is that they absolutely are.
In fact, there are benefits that spread beyond hurricane protection that you should absolutely know about. For one thing, impact windows can deter burglars, given that they cannot be broken on impact. For another, they will improve insulation and thus lower your electricity bills. And then, they will reduce the outside noise as well, and even offer UV protection, all of which will make you feel much more comfortable in your own home.
