Hurricane windows are those that are built to withstand the damage from a hurricane. They are more durable than standard ones and can resist the high winds and debris that are flying when there is a hurricane. They are specifically made so that they will not shatter in these conditions. They can keep your home safe when a hurricane happens.
Hurricane windows are also called impact-resistant or simply impact windows. By having these, people are choosing to protect their property and to keep them as safe as possible. They are most common in tropical areas where hurricanes and tropical storms are more likely to happen. These can be used in newly built homes or as replacement windows for homes that have been around for a long time.
You can get hurricanes ones at many different places, especially in tropical areas. You can learn more about Paradise Exteriors by doing an internet search. They can help you to learn more about hurricane windows and how they can help you. They can answer any questions that you might have.
This article will give you some information about hurricane windows and help you to learn more about them. You will be able to see if you need these for your home. You can also do more research to find any information that you might need.
Information About Hurricane Windows
- What are They? As was mentioned above, they are impact-resistant windows that combine heavy-duty frames with laminated glass that is impact-resistant. They have a special glazed silicone process that keeps the window from separating from the frame. Two panes of glass are bonded together with a special layer of polyvinyl butyral. The interlayer keeps the window from being destroyed by intruders and high winds.
- Frames Materials and Qualities – There are different materials and qualities that these are made of including vinyl and heavy-duty aluminum that is painted with electrostatic paint for a finish that is easy to maintain. They have a minimum frame depth of about two and three-quarters inches. This minimum frame helps these to avoid being damaged in a storm. These will protect your home from damage from strong winds and intruders.
- What Styles Are Available? They come in a variety of styles that can match your home’s décor. You can get single-hung styles, horizontal roller styles, casement, architectural, and picture styles. You can also choose sliding doors or French doors to match your home. Other options are Brittany or colonial styles with different mountings.
- What are the Important Features? Some important features include laminate insulated glass, high-performance low-E selections, and heat-reducing glass tinting. Because of these features, these not only offer impact resistance, but they also offer reduced energy bills. They also protect carpets, artwork, drapes, and furniture in your home because of the tinting. They are perfect for homes in tropical areas for all these reasons.
- What Do I Need to Know? You need to know about the quality of these, as well as the performance of them. You know they are quality if they have been tested extensively and have a document included that says it is NOA-approved. You know that they are documented for impact resistance when they have this sticker included with them. This means that they are safe and will work as they should for you.
- What is Energy Star Rated? If they are Energy Star-rated, this means that they have met stringent specifications for energy efficiency set forth by the Department of Energy. They have also met specifications from the National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC, which is an independent certification that shows that they are energy efficient. This means that windows have different qualifications such as at least two panes of glass, improved framing materials, warm-edge spacers, and Low-E coatings.
- Does Argon Gas Between the Panes Make a Difference? Air needs to be as still as possible to insulate well because if it is moving, it is carrying energy. Argon is a gas that is heavier than air and it is less likely to thermal or convection movement. This heavier-than-air gas makes it more energy efficient because it offers a higher level of insulation. This gas is found naturally in the air you breathe, and it is perfectly safe for you.
- What is Low E – Low-E is low emissivity, and it is a metallic coating that is applied to the glass that reflects the heat energy into the home or out of the home depending on the weather conditions. Using this is a great way to add to the energy efficiency of the glass and to keep your home more comfortable. This is just another way for your home to be comfortable, as well as being safe for you during hurricane season.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – SHGC refers to the ability of the window to transmit solar radiation and has a value of between zero and one: https://www.nachi.org/shgc-ratings-windows.htm. If it is a zero, then it acts like a wall and doesn’t allow solar energy into the building. If it is one, it acts like an opening and allows solar energy to enter the building. In cooler climates, you want to have a high SHGC, and in a warmer climate, you want to have a lower one.
- What are R and U Values? The R-value means that the object is resistant to the flow of heat, while the U-value is the amount of heat that is passed through materials. You want to have a high R-value to have a higher heat resistance. If you want to have a lower U-Value you will have better insulating quality.
Conclusion
Hurricane windows are impact-resistant ones that are great for areas that are in hurricane climates. They can protect you from high winds and even intruders from getting into your home. It will protect you from debris being blown into your home. They are even better than hurricane shutters in most cases.
