What are high impact windows? Impact-resistant windows and doors are made with a combination of heavy-duty frames with impact-resistant laminated glass, a polymer layer between the two glass sheets, and a special silicone glazing process to keep the glass from breaking away from its frame. What are the most popular impact window brands? In South Florida, there are two main manufacturers who are most popular, and which both are based in the local area. We generally recommend PGT and CGI as the best brands to choose from when selecting hurricane proof products but there are many other brands to choose from. What category hurricane can impact windows withstand? Most hurricane-resistant windows are capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 miles per hour – or category five winds. If flying debris do hit a window or glass door, the added protection will keep the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. Are hurricane impact windows worth it? ENERGY STAR estimates that if you are replacing single-pane windows with double-pane high impact windows, you could see savings between $126 to $465 per year in energy costs. If you are upgrading your existing double-pane windows to a high impact product, the savings are still estimated to be $27 to $111 per year. What is the average cost of hurricane impact windows? As an average, a hurricane impact door size 60×80 inches can cost about $1,900 while a sliding window 72×80 inches is around $1950. An average single-hung window costs between $500 and $600, materials only. Can impact windows withstand Category Five? According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) association, a national U.S. trade association representing the non-union construction industry, “Windows are impact-resistant, not impact-proof. The strongest building code in the world is not going to totally protect us from a natural power, a category 5 hurricane, which is super strong,” he said. Is there a difference between hurricane windows and impact windows? Hurricane windows offer the greatest protection against storm damage. Impact windows also offer other benefits, including noise reduction and better resistance against intruders. With hurricane windows, your home will remain intact, even if a window is hit with a flying piece of wood. Can hurricane impact windows break? Simply put, yes, it is possible because they are impact-resistant and not impact-proof. Impact glass is designed to resist heavy impacts, but they are still vulnerable to an extent depending on their pressure rating and water penetration PSF. Can hurricane impact windows stop a bullet? Many hurricane impact windows are made from laminated glass with a polymer layer between the two glass sheets. When comparing the two, the thickness of the windows must be considered as a major factor in their ability to stop a bullet. Usually, bullet-resistant glass windows are thicker than a typical impact window. What is better, shutters or impact windows? Your insurance premiums are reduced more by having hurricane impact windows; they are always protecting the home whereas shutters must be installed or closed by the homeowner. Additionally, having impact strength hurricane windows reduce your air conditioning energy consumption while shutters do not. Are impact windows worth the investment? The abundance of long-term benefits including energy savings, lower insurance premiums, safety, and decreased frequency of repair and/or replacement needs make impact windows worth the investment. Are there different types or styles of impact windows? There are three main types of for impact windows: Aluminum, vinyl, and wood. The windows are almost always manufactured based on measurements at the home and can be custom made in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles as they are made to order. How long does it take to get impact windows installed? Since most hurricane windows and doors are made to order, it can take as many as eight weeks to custom build them. A representative generally takes measurements at your home or office which allows you to choose from different shapes, sizes, ratings, and strengths, and then puts those windows and/or doors into production. Do impact windows reduce insurance? When you choose to replace your old windows with high-impact, hurricane resistant windows your savings will include reduced insurance premiums, lowered energy bills, and increased resale value of your home. Are impact windows burglar proof? Rather than shattering like a traditional pane of glass, impact resistant windows will splinter, but not break through. Although impact resistant windows are not completely burglar proof, breaking through them can prove to be significantly more work and more time consuming than most burglars are willing to endure. Do impact windows increase home value? Not only do hurricane impact windows and doors increase the value of your home, they pay back in many other ways. Installation of hurricane proof windows can give you an excellent return on your investment if you plan to sell or even refinance your home soon. How much more do impact resistant windows cost? Hurricane windows typically cost $2,400 and $12,000, or $6,000 on average. Each window is about $100 to $450 and takes about two hours to install at $85 per hour. You may pay more if you have custom storm windows installed. How thick should impact windows be? Impact windows use thick laminated glass and sturdy framing materials, which result in a decrease in noise by as much as 50%. Their overall thickness ranges from 7/16” to 9/16”, as compared to typical single pane glass measuring an average of 1/8”. Are double pane windows hurricane proof? Double pane windows include two pieces of glass with an air gap in between. Advantages include better insulation, noise reduction, and UV control. However, double pane windows are not designed to withstand windborne debris and should be protected just like single pane glass when a hurricane is threatening. What wind speed are impact windows rated for? Most of our windows are rated for Category 5 hurricanes. Wind speeds range from Category 1: 74-95 mph. Category 2: 96-110 mph. Category 3: 111-129 mph. Category 4: 130-156 mph. Category 5 (considered a major hurricane):
