Impact-resistant windows and doors combine heavy-duty frames with impact-resistant laminated glass aided by the special silicone glazing that keeps the glass from breaking from its frame. The impact-resistant window consists of two glass panes bonded together with a layer of polyvinyl butyral, while the frame is usually made either from vinyl or aluminum covered in electrostatic paint that reduces maintenance efforts to a bare minimum.
You can choose between different styles, too. There are single hung windows, horizontal roller windows, sliding glass, bifold, casement and French doors. Most of them are produced by the manufacturers with documented NOAs (Notice of Acceptance by Miami-Dade County). These impact windows and doors can always be custom-made to fit your home and your business and not at the expense of their effectiveness.
This window engineering has ensured the maximum possible safety when it comes to wind debris, even break-in attempts. In case of aggression, the glass can only be cracked but hardly broken which is more common with cheaper windows and doors. Plus, the window thickness ensures maximum energy efficiency when warming up or cooling down your home.
Protection Against Hurricanes
Hurricane damage is usually caused by water, strong wind, and flying debris. Water can easily enter your home through weaker materials that most old type windows and doors are made of. Flooding is a real threat to your belongings as well as your health since it helps the spread of bacteria and diseases. The most damage can happen when your windows and doors are completely blown out, which can even cause roofs and walls to collapse.
According to the Miami-Dade County compliant, these impact windows can replace hurricane shutters and no additional protection is needed. The glass may crack on impact but the interlayer keeps the overall window and door intact, therefore preventing further damage of your home or your business.
Still, it is always advised to stay away from the windows during severe storms and in case of stronger hurricanes, if the emergency manager demands so, leaving your home and going to a hurricane shelter is the safest option.
Energy Efficiency
In the time of burning rainforests and oceans littered with plastic, the least we can do is make sure we are not making our planet worse than it already is. One of the ways we can help reduce energy is by using what we have and spending wisely.
Impact windows are designed to make the most out of the energy spent to warm up or cool down your home and your business. Unlike the old cheaper windows and doors, there is no energy wasted on adjusting the temperature inside your home or your office because the air cannot escape through the cracks or badly adjusted frames. It is all tailor-made and therefore perfectly adapted to any wall or any room.
Cheaper Insurance
Homeowner’s insurance companies are reluctant to provide claims for the houses that are not secured and maintained i.e. made out of cheap materials, easily destroyed by the winds and bad weather. If you are not eager to protect your home before the storm hits, they won’t be either.
Investing in impact-resistant windows and doors tells the insurance company that you are willing to safeguard your house and your business as much as possible and not rely only on the worst-case scenarios of repairing the damage through insurance.
Impact-resistant windows and doors can be a big investment for anyone but they will pay off in various ways. For example, your hurricane damage will be much less and with energy-efficient heating and cooling, you will save on your gas and electricity bills. And, as we mentioned above, you will get much cheaper insurance for your home or your business.
