Whether you are building a home or renovating one, one of the major questions you may be asking yourself is whether or not you need to have impact windows installed. In the United States, Florida is often subjected to the most hurricanes and high-impact winds associated with them. The fact is, if you live within one mile of the coast in Florida, the building code requires you to have impact windows installed when building new or remodeling your home. This area includes the Miami-Dade and Broward County areas.
Impact windows are made from glass that is resistant to shattering. As they are made up of two sheets of tempered glass with a layer of shatterproof membrane between them, they will not break into large, dangerous shards of glass if broken. They are shatterproof. The glass is then installed in a heavy frame and put in your home. It changes the need to have storm shutters on your home and gives your home a cleaner and more refined appearance. You may even choose to have impact windows customized to meet your aesthetic requirements.
Impact Windows advantages
While storm windows are great for protecting your home during the hurricane season, there are more benefits to the homeowner. Many insurance companies offer discounts to those who install impact windows in their homes. Furthermore, during the hot summer months, the windows will help you to keep the heat out. Their insulating qualities are superior. Homeowners also discover that after installing impact windows, they hear less neighborhood noise. They actually help to block sound. However, what many Floridians like the most is that you can have the impact windows tinted to help block out harmful UV rays.
When you live on the coast, the need for storm windows is great. Many house lots in Florida are approximately 100 feet by 100 feet in size. If rain is coming down at 2 inches per hour during a hurricane, it will drop over 12,000 gallons of water on your house lot. If there is debris flying around and your window is broken, a lot of that water is going to end up inside your home. The damage that will occur to your home and belongings will be immense. Prevention is a simple matter of installing impact windows in your home.
In Florida and many other states, building codes have changed to include the requirement of impact-resistant windows in new homes and those that are being remodeled. Insurance companies are overwhelmed with damage claims after a hurricane hits. The requirement of impact windows slows the claims down as fewer homes are receiving major damage. To protect your home and family, impact windows are a must, especially if you are living near the coast of Florida where hurricanes occur too often. You will also find that impact doors are available and will help you to keep your home safe.
