In hurricane-prone areas, installing impact-resistant windows is a meaningful safeguard for your home. These windows are made from two layers of tempered glass held together by an impact-resistant polymer. The polymer helps to prevent the glass from breaking into shards during high winds and keeps them from falling out of the frame. These windows will help to reduce the risk of costly damage during a storm and may even qualify you for lower homeowners insurance rates.
Aluminum Frames
Aluminum is one of the strongest materials on earth and is often used in hurricane-resistant windows. This is due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. It also offers a great deal of resistance to damage and corrosion. This is particularly important for areas of the country where salt air and seawater are standard. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you want to protect your home as much as possible against potential damage. That’s why hurricane resistant windows and frames are so critical. This means a structure that’s sturdy enough to withstand hurricane winds but flexible sufficient to allow your glass to move slightly as the wind blows. This flexing can help prevent the window from shattering or being blown off its hinges. In addition to protecting your home against hurricanes, hurricane-resistant windows are a great way to keep your energy costs down. Combine them with insulated and Low-E coated glass, and you’ll see a significant difference in your energy bills.
Impact-Resistant Glass
Whether your home is in the path of hurricanes or you are just looking for a safety upgrade, impact-resistant glass can be an excellent investment. It protects you and your family from hurricanes and offers many other benefits to enhance your home’s value and create a more inviting aesthetic. The first and most apparent benefit of impact-resistant windows is their ability to withstand high-speed winds and flying debris. However, these doors and windows also reduce the noise that comes into your home, decrease your risk of burglary, and insulate your home more efficiently. When purchasing impact glass, make sure to ask about its insulating qualities. Its multi-layered design is better at protecting than regular glass and can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. This will lower your energy costs and save you money on heating and cooling bills!
Low-E Coating
Low-E coatings separate heat from light by selectively reflecting solar infrared (heat) radiation while allowing visible light to pass through. By remembering the sun’s heat away from your home, they can help keep it more relaxed during the hot summer months. These coatings also help prevent the sun’s UV rays from streaming into your home, which can fade furniture and other surfaces. They can also make your rooms feel warmer compared to regular glass windows. You can determine whether your windows have this coating by looking at the NFRC certification label. It will tell you if the windows have this feature or not, as well as other energy efficiency ratings.
Energy-Efficient Glass
Hurricane windows are designed to protect your home and family from the damaging effects of severe storms. They are also energy-efficient and help reduce your energy bills. There are several types of energy-efficient glass options available for hurricane windows. The most common is laminated glass. This type of glass consists of two transparent glass panes with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) plastic interlayer. This layer is designed to hold the glass in place if it shatters. The mirror also has a low-emissivity coating that helps to keep out the sun’s heat. Another option is a glass/plastic hybrid consisting of a thin sheet of polycarbonate Lexan. This glass is also strong but expands more than regular glass.
