The clouds hung thick and low over the Atlantic ocean, ominous black heralds of an approaching storm. A cold wind was blowing, stirring up sand and driving white capped waves.
“Normally, I’d be worried sick,” said Lettie Holmes. “You never know what the storm’s going to pick up and throw around.” She nodded toward her house. “Couple of times I’ve had to replace windows after a storm like this. Doesn’t take much to break the glass, not with those old windows I had.”
Holmes is feeling a little more secure this time. She’s recently installed Andersen Stormwatch Windows, one of the strongest impact-resistant windows currently available.
What are impact resistant windows?
Impact resistant windows consist of special, impact-resistant glass in a tough, heavy duty frame. Glass is rendered impact-resistant in two ways. In the first, more durable way, two panes of glass are sandwiched together with a membrane between them. The second method is when the window manufacturer applies a film to the window glazing. Most manufacturers prefer the first method, as it creates a more integrated, stronger window.
The glass is contained in a very strong frame, designed to stand up to high winds and tremendous pressure. This frame is securely attached to both the window header and interior window frame.
Impact-resistant windows offer homeowners like Lettie peace of mind during small seasonal storms, but that’s not their main purpose. Impact resistant windows can play an integral difference in saving your house during a hurricane or other high wind event.
To understand this, it’s critical to understand some of the reasons houses collapse during major storms. Tremendous winds, such as those experienced during a hurricane, can do a great deal of damage outside of a home. However, when they get inside the house, things get much worse in a big hurry.
A broken window provides an entry point for hurricane force winds to enter a home. Once in the house, this wind increases the interior pressure of the home — and all that pressure has to come out somewhere.
In a worst case scenario, this pressure could blow a roof off or walls down — catastrophic damage that can render your family homeless or worse. An entire structure can be lost due to winds coming in through one broken window.
Hurricanes are largely coastal events, but they’re not the only high winds homeowners face. Tornadoes, cyclones, and even summer thunderstorms and winter blizzards can all serve up powerful gusting winds, often carrying debris. This debris can seriously damage traditional windows. Impact resistant windows will remain intact, up to a point.
However, impact resistant window’s most important feature may come into play after they get broken. Rather than hurling razor-sharp pointed daggers of glass in every direction after being hit by debris, impact resistant windows stick together. Trapped by or within a membrane, damaged window panes remain in place. This minimizes injury during and after the event.
The storm approaching Lettie’s house promises to deliver nothing more than stiff breezes and heavy rains. “Still,” she said, “I feel good knowing that I’m protected, no matter what happens.”
I’d come to cut a deal with you here. Which is not something I typically do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!