If you live in an area prone to severe weather, impact windows may be the best option for your home. These heavy-duty windows are designed to prevent debris from entering your house during a storm, protecting your family against serious injury.
They look just like regular windows and even reduce outside noise. Plus, they can save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.
They Protect Homes From Debris
In locations that frequently deal with tropical storms, hurricanes, and other strong winds, debris can fly into homes and break windows. When this happens, it could create sharp glass shards that threaten your family’s safety. However, impact windows prevent this from happening because they’re designed to withstand high winds and flying objects.
They can do this because they have an inner layer of polyvinyl butyral that sits compressed between the two panes of heat-strengthened glass. This inner layer is the same material that automobile windshields are made from, and it helps to keep the glass bonded together in case it does shatter.
Not only are they able to withstand wind-driven debris, but they can also reduce the noise from outside your home. This is particularly important if you live in a busy area constantly subjected to outside voices, car horns, and blaring stereos.
They Prevent Wind Damage
A broken window during a hurricane isn’t just a safety hazard for your family; it also allows the wind to enter a home and cause serious damage. This is why securing windows and doors with impact-rated glass and frames is important.
Manufacturers design impact-resistant windows with a PVB interlayer and strong window frames, making them much less likely to shatter than standard glass in the event of a hurricane. They often include fasteners and hinges designed to hold the glass firmly in place during a storm.
This makes them an excellent choice for older homes that are more susceptible to the force of nature than newer constructions. They also reduce outside noises so you can enjoy a quieter home environment. As a bonus, these windows are energy efficient, which will help lower your heating and cooling costs. This is another way you’ll quickly recoup your investment.
They Reduce Noise
When they’re installed properly, impact windows can help block exterior noises. Suppose you’re tired of hearing the neighbors roaring their lawnmowers on weekends, or your kids screaming while playing outside, or the noise from traffic while you’re trying to relax in your home or have a video conference call with your loved ones. In that case, impact windows can help reduce the problem.
In addition to blocking out outside noise, hurricane-impact windows shield a building’s interior from harmful UV rays. Repeated exposure to UV rays can cause furniture, fabrics, paint, photographs, and artwork to fade. The added PVB layer and insulating properties of impact windows block out 99% of harmful UV rays.
Another benefit of impact windows is their exceptional energy efficiency. The tight seals on impact windows can help keep cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter, reducing utility bills.
They Increase Your Home’s Value
Hurricane windows provide peace of mind for you and future homeowners. They also relieve the stress of frantically putting up hurricane shutters or hammering plywood boards over your windows during a storm warning. You may even receive a discount on your home insurance premium when you install hurricane-resistant windows.
Unlike traditional window glass, which can shatter into sharp shards during an impact, impact-resistant windows splinter into much smaller pieces of glass that are less likely to cause injury. This can also help deter burglars trying to break into a house through an open window.
Finally, impact-resistant windows reduce outside noise and offer UV protection, which is great for furniture and carpets. Additionally, they are available in various shapes and styles that can complement your home’s aesthetic. This makes them a great investment for any homeowner in Florida or other hurricane-prone states. They’re even required in some areas. Read more interesting articles on Ebeak
