The strong winds and heavy rain that a hurricane brings are enough to cause widespread destruction. If your home is equipped with impact-resistant windows, however, you can minimize the damage that these severe weather conditions may inflict. These windows are a common fixture in many homes and businesses across the state, but not a lot of people understand how they work.
Prestige Windows & Doors, your trusted source of impact windows and doors, discusses how these special kinds of windows work.
What Are Impact-Resistant Windows and How Do They Work?
Impact-resistant glass is used in the construction of impact-resistant windows. Between two panes of glass, a strong polymer layer supports the glass and keeps it together even if it shatters. A heavy-duty frame surrounds the glass and is securely affixed to the window frame.
Impact-Resistant Glass
Impact windows are made of either tempered or laminated glass.
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Tempered Glass – Tempered glass is three to five times stronger than annealed glass because it is heat-treated and then cooled. In addition to its improved strength, this type of glass shatters into little pebbles with no sharp edges, reducing the risk of bodily harm from flying glass or during cleanup.
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Laminated / PVB Glass – Laminated glass is manufactured by layering two or more panes of glass together with a thin but extremely robust layer or membrane of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
The exterior glass pane may shatter or split when struck by debris, but the inner layer binds the pieces together, protecting the building’s exterior and interior. Standard windows are built of float glass, which breaks into huge, sharp fragments when struck.
Heavy-Duty Framing
The framing that holds the glass panes in place is as good as the glass itself. Rain, wind and debris can enter the building if hurricane-force winds or high-impact forces push the glass out of its frame, causing property damage and injuries. That’s the reason why impact window frames are made thicker than normal window frames and are composed of durable materials like aluminum and vinyl. The glass is further coated with a silicone glazing procedure to prevent it from detaching from the frame.
Hurricane impact windows offer the ultimate protection from both the weather and intruders. At Prestige Windows & Doors, we select only the best impact products which comply with the most stringent testing requirements in the country. Our available impact window styles include casement, single-hung, horizontal sliding, picture and awning windows.
Count on us to install commercial storefront windows and doors as well. Give us a call at (305) 820-5999 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.