Impact Windows Rated Overview
It may still be March, but it’s never too early to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, especially if you want to avoid what happened to many families last hurricane season. In preparation for incoming storms, one needs to keep in mind the durability of impact windows. How reliable and durable is your impact window and how are they rated to give you the best protection in preparation for a Category 5 hurricane.
Large Missile Impact Testing
All resistant glass windows go through rigorous testing. The first test is called the large missile impact test where a 9 pound 2×4 piece of wood launches at 50 feet per second (fps) or 35 miles per hour (mph) at the center of the window and is then thrown again, this time at the corner of the glass. If both the edges and the center holds together, then it has passed the test.
Design Pressure Testing
During pressure testing, a window attaches to a wooden frame clamped to a specially designed wall where air pressure is gradually reducing on the inside of the windows, which thus increases pressure outside the window until the window breaks beyond repair. The window is subject to pressures stimulated by winds of up to 200 mph. If the window remains intact, then it is certified as impact resistant.
This pressure testing is done to examine how much the window can withstand based on its design pressure. This test pressure must reach 1.5 times the design pressure for 10 seconds without the window suffering permanent damage. For example, a window with the DP 35 must withstand a pressure of 52.5 psf. Labs will then issue labels that indicate the DP for a window a door to show it’s certifiable impact resistant status.
What is Design Pressure?
The design pressure is a performance specification for how active the window is express in how many pounds per second foot (psf) of force the window can withstand. The design pressure can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, a height of the building, site of the window structure, etc. All these are used to calculate the design pressure of a specific window or door.
How to determine the design pressure of your window for your home
The design pressure you will need for your home will vary. For example, here in Florida the DP for your home can range anywhere from DP 35, if you live in the center of the state, to DP 60, if you live by the coast. Most municipalities, such as your building department, also have easy to read charts or maps to explain the requirements you need to protect your home with the proper Design Pressure efficiently. You can then verify the DP requirements by checking the sticker on the window and matching it to the engineering designs for that window.
Call Max Guard to Install Your Impact Windows
It’s essential to have a licensed and insured company help you install your windows so that they can help you every step of the way, which is why Max Guard Hurricane Windows is here to help! Max Guard Hurricane Windows has been in the business for over 30 years, and we can get the job done quickly and to your liking every time. If you need more help figuring out the right DP requirement you need for the windows of your home, just give us a call at (561) 276-7100 or check out our site for more information and a free quote at www.maxguardhurricane.com.
