What are the best impact-resistant windows and doors?
Types: Casement, awning, single-hung and sliding plus patio doors. The WinGuard series from PGT is one of the best-selling brands of impact-resistant windows and doors in the United States. They hold the most Miami-Dade certifications in the industry plus other standard HVHZ and local building code requirements for coastal areas.
Why choose Loewen for your home impact windows?
Complete your home impact windows project with Sentinel sliding doors and/or exterior French doors. In the StormForce series, Loewen focuses on code compliance and durability in the most extreme climates. They meet or exceed the International Residential Code, Florida Building Code, Coastal codes, and even the strict Dade County certification.
What are the best impact windows for hurricane damage?
Series-E Andersen windows have wood interiors with aluminum-clad exteriors. These are one of the best impact windows because hurricane windows are the company’s specialty. It isn’t a sideline or “extra” for CGI.
What are the best windows for protecting my home from UV rays?
Pella’s Hurricane Shield series features products with laminated glass that protect your home from 99.7% of harmful UV rays. Their windows are also tough, and many products in the Hurricane Shield line can even be used in the high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ), as well as other severe climates.
How can you tell if a window is impact resistant?
Watermarks are etched into the glass and are a surefire way to tell if a window has impact glass. If you can't find the watermark, the window label should give you the info you need.
How much force can impact windows withstand?
Impact Windows Are Just for Looks Ultimately, hurricane-resistant windows are capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 miles per hour. If flying debris does hit a window, the added protection will keep the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces.
Can you break through impact windows?
Put simply, yes, impact windows can break. That is because they are impact-resistant and not impact-proof. Impact glass is designed to resist heavy blows, hence it became popular as windshields for vehicles. Like a car's windshield, however, it can break when struck by excessive forces.
What kind of glass is impact resistant?
tempered glassImpact-resistant glass is typically tempered glass. This means the glass has been treated with heat, in order to make it stronger and more resistant to temperature changes. The heated effect of tempered glass can be combined with laminated annealed to create a hybrid window, as well.
What wind speed can impact windows withstand?
Florida homeowners who are ready to feel a sense of security during the next big storm should consider having impact windows installed at their residence. Impact windows are able to withstand all wind-blown debris, forced entry attempts, and wind speeds of up to 175 mph.
Is there a difference between hurricane windows and impact windows?
Hurricane Windows & Impact Windows Are Not the Same To be considered a hurricane window, a product simply needs to provide a certain level of wind resistance. An impact window, on the other hand, will offer wind resistance as well as protection from impacts.
Can burglars break hurricane windows?
They Splinter, Not Shatter Rather than shattering like a traditional pane of glass, impact resistant windows will splinter, but not break through. What this means for your safety is that a person can not smash it and either reach or step in.
Which is better impact windows or shutters?
Hurricane shutters don't offer the best protection against debris and high winds. So if you are looking for the ultimate in storm protection, you can't go wrong with hurricane impact resisting windows which will give your home the perfect protection against flying debris, strong winds, and other perils.
Is it easy to break hurricane windows?
In the general sense, impact-resistant windows are not a 100% deterrent to crime. However, they are far harder to break and can make gaining entry to your home far more difficult for burglars. The reason for this is due to the unique design impact windows use.
What is the best glass for impact windows?
tinted laminated glassThe most cost-effective impact window glazing option is tinted laminated glass. Additionally, laminated glass or insulated laminated glass with a LoE coating would deliver even higher energy savings. While both options do cost a little more, they offer the best energy efficiency protection on the market.
What is the strongest window glass?
Laminated Glass (aka “Shatterproof Glass”) In the window industry, unbreakable laminated glass is often tossed around as “shatterproof glass.” This has become a catch-all term that vaguely defines a certain variety of laminated security glass products.
Are there different grades of impact windows?
There are a few different types of impact windows, which we will discuss later in this article, but it's important to know that the main differences come in style, size, material and degree of protection. A number of standard tests are utilized in order to determine the level of impact resistance they provide.
Can 80 mph winds break windows?
A Design Pressure or DP rating measures the strength of a window. Standard residential windows have DP values between 15 and 50. A DP 15 window can reasonably be expected to sustain winds of roughly 77 mph before shattering.
What to do if a window breaks during hurricane?
Stay Safe. During a storm, if your windows are damaged or broken, move yourself and your family away from the windows and broken glass into an interior room with few or no windows (like a bathroom or laundry room). If the winds are slow enough for you to cover the window opening, attempt to do so.
How much force does it take to break a house window?
A basic residential window may have a design pressure of 15 pounds per square feet. That means, under most conditions, the window can be expected to withstand up to 15 pounds of pressure for every square foot of its surface before it breaks.
What damage can 75 mph winds?
Winds 64-75 MPH: Wind damage is widespread, with risk to large trees being blown over. Winds over 75 MPH: Hurricane force winds, sever damage will occur. Damaging wind can harm roofs and windows. Trees will be uprooted along with risk of overturned small mobile homes.
Who Needs Impact Resistant Windows?
While anyone worried about storm damage can install impact-resistant windows, people in Florida’s most hurricane-prone regions can benefit most.
What are impact resistant windows made of?
Structurally, impact-resistant windows are made of: Two panes of shatter-resistant glass. If the exterior glass is shattered by a projectile, the inner layer remains, protecting the house. Because of the way the glass is designed, it doesn’t break into dangerous shards. An adhesive layer holding the panes together.
Why do impact resistant windows show two reflections?
Because impact-resistant windows are made up of two panes of glass, they’ll show two reflections (instead of the single reflection a normal window will show). For best results, wait until it’s dark out to try this. Check the deed to your house.
How fast can a missile hit a window in Florida?
Large missile impact: For South Florida homes, this test involves hurling a nine-pound wooden two-by-four at the window at 80 feet per second , first at the center of the pane and then at its edges. To pass, the glass must not shatter at either impact. (For homes outside South Florida, the missiles are lobbed at slower speeds.)
What is the strongest frame?
A strong frame. Frames may be either metal (typically steel or aluminum), vinyl, or wood. Metal frames are the strongest and most expensive; wood frames are the least expensive to install, but require more maintenance. But not every double-paned window is considered impact resistant.
How to prevent small problems?
Maintain your home consistently. Regular home maintenance can prevent small problems from becoming big ones. Cleaning your gutters, for example, can ensure that water runs through them rather than getting clogged and leaking into your attic.
Which zone is most vulnerable to hurricanes?
Those in zones closer to the start of the alphabet (A, B, C) are most vulnerable to hurricane damage, including storm surges, high winds, and loose debris. These are also the people who benefit most from impact-resistant windows.
What Makes a Good Hurricane Impact Window?
Hurricane windows are specially designed to withstand heavy impact and high-pressure force without shattering. They’re ideal for hurricane zones and locations in the interior of the country where high-speed straight-line winds cause severe damage. Hurricane windows, or impact windows, also offer improved security against potential break-ins and home invasions.
What is the most important component of hurricane windows?
The most important component of a hurricane window is the layer of plastic or polymer material sandwiched between two glass layers. This is known as laminated glass. This laminated layer has a tear-strength up to five times stronger than that found in standard laminated glass.
What are the features of Stormwatch windows?
An attractive feature of the Stormwatch windows is their hidden structural reinforcements, which adds strength to the windows without compromising beauty . Andersen Stormwatch hurricane windows meet the most stringent AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) testing for windspeed and impact.
How does ImpactGard work?
ImpactGard technology works by using glass that is laminated with a layer of flexible material, much like the other brands considered the best impact windows. This material keeps the glass from breaking apart in the case of a severe storm, protecting the home from dangerous pressure or debris.
What is a Pella hurricane window?
Like all the best hurricane windows, Pella Hurricane Shield series windows and patio doors are constructed with laminated, shatterproof glass. As a bonus, they are Energy Star certified and might qualify you for an energy rebate from your local utility provider.
How much does a hurricane window cost?
The average cost for a hurricane window is $62 per square foot, or approximately $1,085 per window for the most popular size. This number can really vary depending on what manufacturer you’re buying from, and what size and shape your windows are.
What windows can Coast Solutions be ordered on?
The Coast Solutions technology can be ordered on Marvin Ultimate and Marvin Elevate windows.
