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Here in Florida’s panhandle, we enjoyed a relatively mild winter and look forward to a beautiful spring. As the temperatures begin to rise, however, we need to keep in mind that hurricane season is right around the corner. One of the best ways to protect your home and family from a storm is to purchase impact resistant windows. While they require an initial investment, the benefits they provide are many. Over the years, the peace of mind they bring is more than worth the cost.
How Impact Resistant Windows Work
Hurricanes are defined by the intensity of their most destructive element: powerful winds. These winds can pickup loose objects and debris, tuning them into missiles capable of tremendous destruction. Standard windows don’t stand a chance against these sorts of impacts.
Once shattered, a broken standard window allows the full force of the storm to enter your home. This can lead to significant water damage to your home and belongings. In extreme cases, the immense pressure of the wind entering through the damaged window can lead to catastrophic failure of the roof and walls of a home.
Impact resistant windows are designed to withstand the force of these flying objects, preventing wind and rain from entering your home. Built with super strong yet flexible membranes sandwiched between layers of glass, impact resistant windows can absorb the force of the impact without failing.
Compared to other methods of hurricane protection, impact resistant windows require little to no maintenance and are always ready when the weather turns dangerous. Here are some alternative protection methods and how they stack up against impact resistant windows:
Plywood Panels
Measuring, cutting and installing heavy sheets of plywood to cover windows is a big job and requires a significant amount of time for each window. Additionally, the wood panels need to be screwed into the window frame, leaving ugly holes that can let water in the rest of the year. While the initial cost is very low, the time and work involved in attaching, removing and storing the panels is very high.
Removable Shutters
Wood, aluminum and plastic removable shutters are a step up from plywood panels, both in price and effectiveness. However, they also need to be installed each time a storm threatens our area, and take up space when stored the rest of the year. Most removable shutter systems require mounting hardware to be permanently installed, which can detract from the curb appeal of your home.
Permanent Accordion and Roll-Down Shutters
These types of protection are always ready to be deployed when needed. However, this also means that the boxy mechanisms become a permanent part of your homes façade. Depending on how they are installed, the rolled-up shutters can block light and obstruct views. Relatively expensive, these systems come in hand-crank and powered options. The automatic ones are the easiest to use – when there is power.
Impact Resistant Windows
Featuring all the benefits of new windows we discussed in a previous post, impact resistant windows protect against wind-blown debris as well as break-ins. They let in light and do not obstruct views – making them the best looking of all the options. There is no need to install or store any additional components, so even if you are out of town you know your home is protected. The impact resistant windows offered by Lee’s Glass and Window Works meet strict state and local requirements, and often qualify for home insurance discounts.
Impact Resistant Windows: Easy and Effective Protection
Call the specialists at Lee’s Glass and Window Works to find out how impact resistant windows can help to safeguard your home and family. Our professional team will install your new impact resistant windows following all manufacturers requirements. Call today and get the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are covered the next time a big storm is churning in the Gulf.
