Impact Windows
The benefits of hurricane impact windows and doors are many. First, hurricane windows can be used to reduce outdoor noise. This can be a great tool for anyone living near heavy traffic areas. Secondly, hurricane windows offer 99% protection from harmful ultraviolet light. This is especially important living in Florida, where there is sunshine year round. Additionally, hurricane windows and doors offer continuous security from flying debris and high wind pressure. This eliminates having to put shutters or plywood every time there is a possibility for a strong storm.
South Florida is known for having some of the strongest storms in the country. Make sure you and your loved ones are protected from the elements by installing the highest quality hurricane windows & doors from Vico Windows Inc. Call us for a free estimate at (786) 218-4579
Impact Windows reduce the amount of outside ambient noise that comes in, as well as filter out 99 % of UV rays. Ultraviolet rays can not only be harmful to the human skin, but they can also easily deteriorate any surface that it meets. If you have drapes or furniture located next to a window, ultraviolet rays will affect the fabrics by fading or staining them a dark yellow. You have the option to choose from the aluminum and vinyl window frames, non-impact, and impact-resistant glass and much more.
- Highly-engineered products
- Impact Resistant Windows and Doors
- Serving residential and commercial
- Constantly growing and innovating
Improve energy costs in your home, reduce the amount of outside ambient noise that comes in, as well as filter out 99 % of UV rays. Ultraviolet rays can not only be harmful to the human skin, but they can also easily deteriorate any surface that it meets.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Windows
If you’re thinking about making the switch from storm shutters to impact-resistant glass windows or hurricane-safe doors, it’s important to do your research.
While it’s smart to read comparison posts, there are other fun facts about these storm-ready additions that you might not learn while analyzing their product features.
1. Hurricane windows and doors often don’t need to be activated pre-storm.
When a hurricane warning is announced, many Floridians start scrambling to prepare for the upcoming storm. From stocking up on milk and bread to packing an emergency kit, your plate is full. The fewer things you have to worry about, the better!
A key advantage of impact-rated windows is that they are passive protection systems— permanently in place and ready to protect you 24/7. Unlike shutters, storm panels or other window treatments, impact glass does not need to be put up or engaged while you are busy with other storm preparations. They also provide protection against unexpected weather events, such as when you are out of town and can’t come home to buckle up the house.
2. All impact-resistant windows are laminated glass systems, but not all laminated glass systems are impact rated.
Simply because a storm window is labeled “laminated,” it does NOT mean it has passed the large and/or small missile impact tests necessary for a true impact rating. Laminated glass is created by bonding together two or more panes of glass with a thin layer of film or vinyl in between, called Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB). This shatter-proof membrane is designed to catch broken glass, allowing it to stick like a fly on sticky paper— a feature not seen in traditional windows. Additionally, impact-rated window systems are a combination of laminated glass and reinforced window frames.
For a window protective system to be certified as impact-resistant, it must meet testing standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Although a window’s impact rating is not always etched on the glass, reputable window manufacturers and dealers are able to provide appropriate documentation that the window is consistent with one of the following standards:
- ASTM E 1886, E 1996 • AAMA 506
- Florida Building Code TAS 201, 202, 203
- Miami-Dade Protocols PA 201, 202, 203
3. Pressure rating matters.
A hurricane window is just a hurricane window, right? Wrong. While impact-rated windows are designed and certified to protect your building from both wind pressure and windborne debris without any additional exterior protection system (such as shutters), storm-safe glass and doors have unique pressure and impact ratings that are indicative of their strength and durability.
All hurricane windows and doors will come with a marking, detailing their:
- Supplier’s name
- Place of fabrication
- The date it was manufactured
- Thickness
- Certifications or safety standards that the glass meets
4. If your windows and doors are more than 15 years old, chances are that they don’t offer sufficient hurricane protection.
Like anything in life, windows and doors don’t hold up forever. Depending on the brand and materials, impact windows are only rated to function properly from 10 to 25 years. We chose the 15-year mark as a general rule, but after they hit 10-years-old, it starts to become more important to evaluate your windows— knowing they are reaching an age where they may soon need to be replaced. That’s because their seals start to wear and the glass can lose its strength, reducing your overall protection.
5. There are a number of myths about hurricane preparation.
Even impact-rated windows will not protect your property if they are left open during a storm. It is a myth that windows should be cracked a smidge during a storm so that air pressure doesn’t build up in the building. In fact, open windows allow wind and water to enter the building!
And that’s just one misunderstanding about impact windows, there are more related to hurricane preparedness circulating around Florida. For instance, some folks think putting force up against your door can stop it from blowing in, but if the wind is strong enough, the wind could rip off the door with or without something in front of it!
