If you live in an area prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, it is essential to fortify your windows during an extreme weather event. Windows and doors are the most vulnerable points in the home, and if they fail during a storm, it can lead to the complete destruction of your property. The best way to defend your home is to have hurricane impact windows installed. However, with so many products claiming to be hurricane rated, you might be wondering what exactly makes a window hurricane proof.
Understanding the Threat From Extreme Weather
To know what makes a window hurricane proof, it’s important to first understand how your home can be affected during a strong storm. Many homeowners think that hurricane windows are designed to resist breaking in order to prevent water from flooding the home. However, wind pressure is a much bigger threat. Indeed, strong winds can pile up against your home, causing extreme pressure that pops your windows out of the frame. When this occurs, the increased air pressure entering the home can tear off the roof, knock down walls, and cause other catastrophic damages. For these reasons, it’s essential for hurricane windows to have fortified frames as well as impact-resistant glass.
Features of High-Performance Hurricane Windows
The fact is, there is no such thing as a truly hurricane-proof window, as any window can fail given enough pressure or a hard enough impact. However, windows are available that have been proven to withstand the forces associated with the most extreme weather events. Hurricane resistance comes down to two factors: glass and frame construction.
A hurricane impact window will typically have glass that is treated with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). When faced with an impact from flying debris, glass that is treated this way can still break, but it won’t shatter and create shards that can turn into dangerous projectiles. Instead, the glass will stay adhered to the membrane, which is designed to remain intact to continue protecting against wind infiltration.
High-quality frame construction and installation are just as important as impact-resistant glass. The most hurricane-resistant windows will have a reinforced frame design to withstand extreme pressure, thereby preventing structural failure which can cause the window to cave in.
It’s important to keep in mind that hurricane windows vary widely in terms of the level of protection offered. For example, some may have impact-resistant glass without reinforced frames, while others might have wind-pressure ratings that aren’t adequate for the strongest storms. The window contractor you choose should be able to clearly explain how each frame and glass component of your new windows will help to prevent failure during severe weather.
Turn to Max Guard Hurricane Windows for Industry-Leading Protection
For the ultimate peace of mind, homeowners in South Florida turn to Max Guard for the best-performing hurricane protection products on the market. Our hybrid hurricane impact windows have been extensively tested and are the highest rated available in the state. In fact, they are the only hurricane windows rated for commercial and residential use as well as use in essential facilities. Don’t risk your home with windows that aren’t designed for the most extreme weather conditions. Contact Max Guard Hurricane Windows today to make the most of your investment.
