Impact Windows: Protecting Your Home From Severe Weather
If you live in a community along the coast, including Florida, Georgia and Gulf Coast communities, you know that hurricane preparedness is a key part of you and your family’s safety. Because these coastal areas are more prone to severe weather, your home needs the strength to stand up to the storm. That’s why impact-resistant windows, sometimes called hurricane windows or coastal windows, should be a part of any coastal home. Let’s take a look at why impact windows are crucial to helping your home weather a severe storm.
Why are impact windows important?
1. Hurricane windows have special impact-resistant glass that protects against strong winds and flying debris.
Hurricane windows from Simonton Windows & Doors feature SafePoint® Max laminated glass. This glass features a durable, laminated interlayer that is a sturdy, effective barrier against flying debris that could break the glass and enter your home. By protecting the home’s envelope, your family and belongings are much safer. Plus, with SafePoint Max glass, you don’t need to invest in hurricane shutters.
2. Coastal impact windows are engineered with reinforced frames.
Windows built for coastal regions prone to hurricanes have advanced features that increase strength, durability and weather resistance. Reinforced frames, structural glazing and adapted locking systems all work together to help windows protect your home and withstand hurricane-force winds.
3. StormBreaker Plus windows have been tested and certified for impact performance.
StormBreaker Plus windows by Simonton Windows & Doors are industry-tested and certified to meet specific standards to ensure the utmost hurricane preparedness for your home. Tested and certified to meet Missile D impact specifications for the Florida Building Commission and the Texas Department of Insurance evaluation for the Texas Coast. Select windows and doors are certified for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) and withstand the highest wind loads, meeting the stringent impact standards set by the Florida Building Commission for Miami-Dade and Broward County.
4. Impact windows are energy efficient.
By filtering up to 99% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, SafePoint glass reduces damage to things inside your home, including art, carpet and photos. Impact-resistant glass, coupled with ProSolar Shade Low-E, dramatically blocks UV penetration and lowers the solar heat gain coefficient, helping keep your home cooler and save you money on your energy bills.
Resources to help you prepare your home for severe weather.
Even after preparing your home for a hurricane, you still need a family hurricane preparedness plan in case a storm hits your area, including knowing your evacuation route, communication strategy and compiling emergency supplies. These sites are an excellent resource to help your family prepare.
