Consider a situation in which a strong and powerful hurricane is about to strike your house from different angles. The winds of the hurricane roared like a lion, trees bent to the ground, and garbage flew from here to there. In such circumstances, ordinary windows are completely shattered, but the impact windows are designed in such a way that they can resist natural disasters like hurricanes, storms, etc.
In this particular article, we will find the remarkable technologies behind impact windows. We came to know how impact windows work? Impact windows work like a shield. They have strong glass and frames that stand up to strong winds and flying debris. The layered glass absorbs impacts, keeping the window from breaking and protecting your home during hurricanes and storms.
What is an impact window?
In the beginning, both the impact and ordinary windows look quite similar to one another. However, there is a huge difference in their characteristics and properties. An impact window is formed by combining two or more layers of glass joined with one another with the help of a strong and opaque interlayer constructed from a well-known material, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Their special construction makes them strong and efficient.
How Much Can Impact Windows Withstand?
Impact windows are designed and manufactured so that they can easily bear the wind pressure of 100 kmph and can block the forced entry of the wind inside the house. But how are these types of windows supposed to do such activities? Let’s explore its properties.
The Science of Impact Resistance
Impact windows generally utilize a combination of energy absorption, flexibility, and shatter containment.
Energy Absorption
When an object strong and hard strikes the surface of an impact window, the impact force is distributed among the glass layers, and the interlayer absorbs and spreads out the impact energy, securing the window from shattering quickly.
Flexibility
The composition of an impact window is designed in such a manner that the central layer works like a cushion, which allows the glass to flex slightly under pressure. This flexibility prevents the glass from breaking suddenly.
Shatter Containment
If the surface of the glass cracks at some point, the interlayer joints the pieces together tightly, preventing dangerous shards from scattering into your home and reducing the risk of injury.
Impact Window Testing and Certification
Impact windows are tested under various rigorous conditions in order to meet their strict standards.
Large Missile Impact Test
In this test, a piece of wood with a 9-pound weight and a length and width of 2×4 is directly thrown on the window at a speed of 50 feet per second to duplicate large flying debris.
Small Missile Impact Test
To conduct small missile impact tests, metal balls are directly thrown on the surface of the impact window to determine its resistance against the smaller objects, and conclusions are drawn from the test.
Cyclic Wind Pressure Test
In order to perform this test, the impact window is openly subjected to repeated cycles of positive and negative pressure to copy the hurricane-force winds, and the results are concluded.
Only those windows are selected for further production that pass the above-mentioned criteria and are certified by well-known companies like Miami-Dade County or ASTM International, ensuring that the product must meet its fine quality and performance standards.
Why Impact Windows Matter
Impact windows are concerned due to their properties of resistance against the harsh environment.
Protection
As the impact is made up of multilayers of glass, they protect your home from natural disasters like hurricanes, storms, flying debris, and thieves from break-ins.
Safety
One of the important factors of impact windows is their safety, as they minimize the risk of injury from broken glass during extreme weather and prevent the glass from suddenly shattering into pieces.
Energy Efficiency
One of the important factors of impact windows is their safety, as they minimize the risk of injury from broken glass during extreme weather and prevent the glass from suddenly shattering into pieces.
Shatter Containment
Impact windows are energy efficient as they are made up of multiple layers, which improve the insulation of the home and reduce noise pollution from entering the premises.
Insurance Benefits
Many offshore and onshore insurance agencies around the globe provide huge discounts on impact windows for homes, buildings, offices, farms, etc.
The Best Impact Windows Installer in Miami, FL
There are several firms that are playing in the impact window domain, but the most authentic and reliable firm in the Maimi Florida is Hurricane Window and Screen Inc., as they provide high-quality impact windows to their customers and consumers. The hurricane impact windows are installed in Miami, Florida, because they team up with top manufacturers in Miami with over 35 years of experience. They not only sell these impact windows but also provide after-sales services for their product to ensure its durability.
FAQs
Are impact windows more expensive than regular windows?
Yes, impact windows are more expensive than their counterparts because they are made up of a multilayer of glass, and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is used in their manufacturing process.
Do impact windows look different from regular windows?
No, in terms of appearance, both windows are identical, but they are different in their respective properties of resistance against nature, as impact windows are quite tough whereas the regular window is fragile.
Can I replace my existing windows with impact windows?
you can easily switch your regular windows with impact windows that can be installed as replacements for your current windows. Due to their strong build, people often prefer impact windows instead of ordinary windows.
Do I need impact windows if I don't live in a hurricane-prone area?
There are several reasons to choose an impact window over a regular window. Even if you don’t live in a hurricane zone, impact windows provide benefits like increased security, energy efficiency, and noise reduction. Such characteristics are not offered by regular windows.
Conclusion
Impact windows are an important asset to your home because of their strong built structure and also because they are smart investments that provide peace of mind and long-term value. They groom your home into a fortification, securing it from harsh weather conditions and strengthening its energy efficiency to the maximum.
If you’re planning to replace your regular windows with impact windows, dozens of types of impact windows are easily available on the market, but choose those that fulfill your requirements and your budget criteria. Reach out to your local window professional team to learn more and get a quote for your home instantly. Your safety and peace of mind are worth it.
