Approximately 16 million thunderstorms occur annually worldwide, with about 2,000 thunderstorms active at any given time. In the United States alone, there are over 100,000 thunderstorms annually, and 10% of these develop to a severe degree.
Therefore, it’s only normal for building owners to equip their houses with fittings that will protect them from these storms. Impact windows are one such fitting that homeowners use to protect their homes. Before you rush to get your impact windows, there are certain things you need to know about these.
Therefore, in this article, we’ll provide a detailed explanation about these windows, how to assess if your house is already fitted with them, whether it needs them, and how much they will cost. We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started.
Requirements for Impact-resistant Glass
Impact windows are made to bear the power of hurricane and thunderstorm winds and debris traveling at fast speeds. They are also known as laminated glass, hurricane, or impact-resistant windows. They structurally consist of the following:
- Two shatter-resilient glass panes: If a debris projectile shatters the outside glass, the glass inside will remain intact, thereby protecting the building and its occupants. Due to the glass design, it cannot break into harmful pieces.
- A layer of adhesive that binds the panes to themselves: Manufacturers use resin, EVA, or PVB as the adhesive. The adhesive used in these glasses is the same type found in the windows of automobiles that prevent them from shattering.
- A sturdy frame: The frame can be made from different materials, including wood, vinyl, and metal (aluminum or steel). The most expensive and strongest frames are those made from metal. The weakest and most affordable frames are manufactured from wood. Although installing the wooden frames is more affordable, you’ll have to pay attention to their maintenance.
Not all of these products with two panes are regarded as impact-resistant. The windows have to pass a number of demanding tests before they can be officially designated as “impact resistant” by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Testing for impact resistance includes:
- Impact from a large missile: The glass must be able to sustain the force of a two-by-four that hits it at a certain speed and weight to pass this test.
- Impact from a small missile: Steel balls weighing two grams are thrown at the window at a speed of 130 fps in this test.
- Simulated wind: This test replicates hurricane winds reaching as much as 200 mph. You can search for information to learn more about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used to measure wind speed. This simulated win test takes place after the tests above.
Houses That Need These Products
How can you determine if your home needs these particular fittings? The primary factor is the location of your house. There are no rules regulating who can and cannot install these items in their homes. However, individuals who live in regions that experience a lot of thunderstorms and hurricanes will benefit from installing these fittings the most.
Even for people living in the same state, certain areas experience thunderstorms more than others. Some states have even designated the areas with evacuation codes using alphabet letters.
Areas with the initial alphabet letters are more prone to these thunderstorms and will experience strong winds, storm surges, and projectile debris. Verifying which area your house falls into will help you determine whether you need an impact-resistant glass fitting or not.
Three keyways impact-resistant glasses shield people in a hurricane’s path:
- They stop glass fragments from injuring people or damaging property since they don’t shatter into shards.
- Because they consist of two panes, water cannot damage the house if the outside pane breaks.
- With these fittings, you can keep hurricane winds out of your house. Since the winds cannot drastically increase the air pressure in your house, they cannot cause the roofs and walls to collapse. It turns out that the last line of defense is the most crucial. A structure’s collapse due to altered air pressure is far more costly and destructive than damage from water seeping into one’s belongings.
Hurricane windows also filter the majority of UV rays. You can read this article to learn how rising UV levels impact homes and construction materials So, they may still be beneficial if you’re searching for a solution to defend your house from ultra violet damage.
Furthermore, these glasses are amazing at lowering sound. Therefore, they can be used to help reduce noise in the home. You’ll need to hire a thunderstorm protection company to install these products if required.
How Do You Determine Whether Your Windows Are Impact-Resistant?
If you’re unsure whether your home already uses laminated glass for the windows, you can easily find out. A careful visual examination is all you need. Here are the steps involved:
- Examine the pane’s corner: Suppliers frequently brand their names on their products, including the glass’s manufacturing date and technical details regarding the weight the glass can support. If there isn’t a mark carved into the product, a stick-on note with the exact information might be present.
- Examine your reflection in the glass: Laminated glass windows, which consist of two glass panes, display two reflections rather than one reflection that a typical window displays. So, you can check out your reflection to get the answer you seek. For optimal effects, try this when it’s dark outside.
- Examine your home’s deed: Some states have mandated that houses in certain areas must make use of these products. This is especially true for those in highly prone thunderstorm areas. For instance, as of July 2001, all the newly constructed residences in South Florida are required to have these fittings. This makes it easy to determine whether a house uses one.
Cost of Laminated Glass Windows
These windows are more expensive than regular ones, as you might have imagined. But how much exactly do they cost? You’ll have to pay $5 to $62 per square foot to purchase this window. Because of the price, people have resorted to using plywood to protect their homes and lives.
Conclusion
Impact windows are essential for protecting homes from thunderstorms. In the article above, we’ve revealed the benefits of these products and how to determine whether you need them for your house. If you need them, don’t let their price stop you from installing these protective fittings.
