Hurricane proof your house with impact resistant windows. Lowemissivity lowe glass is a glass coating that improves the energy efficiency of your windows and patio doors. The glass type thickness of windows when comparative analysis is used. In the winter, lowe glass reflects heat back into the room, keeping it warmer. If youre thinking of retrofitting your home with hurricane windows, heres what you need to know before you begin the process of replacing your regular windows with impact resistant glass. I highly do not recommend impact resistant glass unless you are building a new home with it, and even then, there are disadvantages.
Hurricane resistant thermal curved curtain wall systems. In contrast, standard glass windows are made of standard float glass that, when broken, will fracture in large sharp shards. The number of layers of each sheet of glass and the thickness of each, and the laminate interlayer can be varied in order to achieve the required performance. Guardian offers a variety of sunguard coated glass products that can be laminated, such as superneutral 68, and that meet hurricane codes when installed into an approved glazing system. We also offer glass options for coastal applications, as well as a variety of patterned glass options. These hurricane windows have also met the large missle impact test referrenced in the international building code. The nonimpact glass is simply there to contain the gas between it and the laminated glass, completing the insulating glass unit. Hurricane resistant glass is made with tempered laminated glass the idea for shatter resistant glass for homes comes from modern windshields used in cars and aircraft using tempered laminated glass. Optimal 76thick laminated glass consisting ofonelite of316thick annealed glass oninboard and outboard side of. Tempered glass, which is also known as safety glass, is heat treated for added strength. This glass can withstand hurricane debris and eliminate the need for hurricane shutters.
They are among the most expensive of hurricaneresistant windows. While this impact resistant glass will probably still shatter upon strong impact from flying objects, it generally remains attached to the inner membrane and. However, with 3m safety and security window films that hold glass fragments together, you can mitigate household accidents cause by broken windows and flying glass. Both types of glass can be used for everything from conventional seethrough windows to doors. Thus, the complete glazing system must meet the specified hurricane test protocol to be considered a certified hurricane resistant product. Hurricane impact resistant windows or doors with clear glass feature a shgc of 0. Many hurricane impact windows are made from laminated glass with a polymer layer between the two glass sheets. A type of security glass, hurricaneresistant glass and the accompanying components that make up the glazing system window or door are designed to withstand the high winds and highvelocity projectiles associated with hurricanes like bulletresistant glass, hurricane resistant glass starts with laminated glass and can be set in a frame that is also designed to be stronger and withstand the. Apr 24, 2019 windows that are marketed as hurricane resistant or stormproof are constructed with impact resistant glass treated with a layer of polyvinyl butral pvb or ethylenevinyl acetate eva. Learn more about how weather shields impact resistant windows can help protect your home.
With our expertise and topnotch service, you can have. Youll find that hurricane windows allow for natural light while possessing hurricane resistant strength. For hurricane resistant glazing applications, stormglass should be used as a component in a tested system. Heat loss is less when the weather is cold, and heat gain is less when the weather is warm. Apr 23, 2016 steps for how to choose hurricane window protection. Explore guardian laminated glass solutions below, learn more about hurricane glass in our glossary, or contact your guardian glass sales representative for more information. About our glass pgt impact resistant hurricane windows. We take pride in building what stands between the world and you. Hurricane resistant glass is made with tempered laminated. Given these characteristics, it is very difficult for any intruder to break into a house through an opening with impact resistant glass. Hurricane glass block windows, hurricane resistant glass. Sgp is also used where bomb or bullet proof glass is required. Hurricane resistant requirements graham architectural.
How to choose hurricane window protection ask this old. Usually, the laminate is made up of two pieces of glass of the same thickness. Laminated glass is also used in the windshields of cars. These windows are manufactured with a layer of laminate sandwiched between two thick panes, so they act like a car windshield when struck hard enough by flying. The blast resistance feature of this glass is enhanced by our patented method of attachment of an inner layer extending past the edge of the glass into the framing system. Hurricane windows also feature a film coating which offers extended protection against flying debris. Doublestrength glass dsb is a single pane of glass 18 thick. Hurricane resistant residential glass block windows quality.
The nonimpact glass is simply there to contain the gas between it and the. Impactresistant glass also known as hurricane glass can help protect you and your family from high winds and threatening storms. For hurricaneresistant glazing applications, stormglass should be used as a component in a tested system. Impact resistant windows and doors is not just laminated glass. Andersen products with stormwatch protection are designed and tested to meet the tough building code requirements in coastal areas. When comparing the two, the thickness of the windows has to be considered as a major factor in their ability to stop a. Hurricaneproof your house with impactresistant windows. The nearer you are to coast al areas, the greater the risk is of a hurricane.
A good hurricane impact resistant window, including the glass and frame costs will be based on the square. Hurricane impact resistant products use a thicker sandwich of glass and special film interlayer to make the glass unit stronger. Normal windows do little to dampen the sounds of kids playing, lawnmowers running, or dogs barking, but with impact resistant windows, people can restore some tranquility to their homes. Pressure glazed system for low to midrise applications. If you already have a notice of acceptance and you wish to qualify a different impact resistant glazing, you are required to show three samples passing the complete set of tas201 and tas203 testing, and testing to tas202 will depend on the variations of glass type and thickness. As glass experts, we have extensive experience designing and installing glass.
Note that the only thing that can change is the thickness of glass or type of glass. These windows make it impossible for intruders to enter your home through your windows. We utilize a multilayered system for our hurricane windows. Be sure to clarify with the window representatives that they are talking about the thickness of the impactrated glass and not the nonimpactrated glass of the dualpane insulating glass unit. With our impact windows, youll have the versatility and efficiency of glass blocks while meeting the miamidade hurricane building code. Anyone who has lived in tampa through even a single hurricane season is probably well aware of the fact that we have to be extra careful about our selection for windows here. Hurricane impactresistant glass is designed to help maintain a homes structural integrity. First and foremost, if the interior search team advances beyond the fire for a search and becomes trapped, the firefighters. Leading usamanufacturer of fire rated glass and framing for use in doors, walls, windows and floors up to 2 hours for over 35 years. This thicker glass is an available option for most pgt windows and is standard in the majority of pgt doors. This feature makes the windows impenetrable and protects all year long from potential breakins. Living in florida, you know the importance of having impactresistant glass windows for your home or business. From windows to screen enclosures, we can customize glass just for you. Designed, engineered and manufactured to withstand severe coastal weather conditions, andersen windows and doors with stormwatch protection offer our greatest level of protection for your coastal home.
Performance of exterior windows, curtain walls, doors and impact protective. Impact glass versus tempered glass windows whats the. The actual glass thickness and the maximum size is determined by this system testing. Hurricane resistant residential glass block windows. The idea for shatter resistant glass windows for homes came from the automotive field, where laminated glass has been in use for years. Hurricane resistant glass is made with tempered laminated glass. Youll find that hurricane windows allow for natural light while possessing hurricaneresistant strength. Our hurricane resistant windows offer security from flying debris and hurricane force winds, meeting the highest standards of the dade county approvals and the texas department of insurance.
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or other high winds, choosing the right windows and doors could save your home or even your life. Panels shall be glazed with 516thicklaminated glass consisting ofone lite of18annealed glass on inboard andoutboard separated by a. In the event of an impact, this glass tends to retain in in the window frame, which may reduce the risk of injury and structural damage. Impact resistant windows and hurricane shutters are two of the most common options for protecting your home during storms. What is the difference between large missile and small missile impact. Weve provided premium windows to the residents of miami for more than 30 years. When youve got a family, accidents are a part of life. These hurricane windows have also met the large missile impact test referenced in the international building code. Hurricane impact resistant glass selection oldcastle buildingenvelope supplies all the main types of laminated glass used for hurricane resistant applications. Hurricane glass is also made to resist highvelocity projectiles, and while the glass portion of the windows can shatter as the result of. Apr 01, 2019 living in florida, you know the importance of having impact resistant glass windows for your home or business.
Like any standard window, frame construction on a hurricaneresistant. Impact resistant windows are a coastal homeowners best friend especially during hurricane season. The ideal thickness of a hurricane resistant glass or impact glass is determined by the location of your house. At achristian glass, our impact resistant windows are the strongest in the industry. The interlayer is what stops debris from penetrating window glass and entering your home. These windows are more common for commercial windows, though they can be ordered for residential purposes. As impact windows are highly regulated, the installation of them requires a qualified professional and a permit from your local municipality. Imagine having a house full of scratched impact resistant glass caused by a hurricane and having to replace it all.
A common mistake people make is thinking that impact glass is the same as tempered glass. A layer of 58inchthick plywood can protect windows from a 2x4 traveling at 34 miles per hour. Are impact resistant windows worth the cost max guard. Due to the strength and thickness of these windows, they are created to endure damage from a category five hurricane. Heres what you need to know about impact resistant windows vs. Bulletresistant products are similar to hurricaneresistant windows, but use a thicker version of laminated glass. Impact resistant glass consists of two layers of glass thats bonded together by a.
The glass standard astm e0 is the criteria to be used when designing the window and obtaining the minimum glass thickness to be used on a particular glass area. The best window glass options for southern climates. Thus, the complete glazing system must meet the specified hurricane test protocol to be considered a certified hurricaneresistant product. The most recognized test requirement for both mdc and astm requires an impact from. When insulating glass is required, stormglass should preferably be used as the inboard lite of the unit. Like bullet resistant glass, hurricane resistant glass starts with laminated glass and can be set in a frame that is also designed to be stronger and withstand the elements. This glass thickness is the minimum available in pgt products.
An integrated, outside glazed, captured curtain wall. Their overall thickness ranges from 716 to 916, as compared to typical single pane glass measuring an average of 18. Because they incorporate more than one pane, theyre more energy efficient. The commonality of both the thick lami and thin lami is the thickness of the plastic interlayer between the panes of glass is going to be very consistent. The main design characteristic of impact windows and doors is the.
Determining the cost of impact resistant windows and doors. Use the chart below to choose the one that works best for you. It costs more, especially to retrofit an older house. Impact windows use thick laminated glass and sturdy framing materials, which result in a decrease in external noise by as much as 40%. Hurricane windows impact firefighting operations in a variety of ways. Hurricane impactresistant glass selection oldcastle buildingenvelope supplies all the main types of laminated glass used for hurricane resistant applications. The inner and outer layers of glass or vinyl create a perfect frame for the window s innerstructure. Glass also varies in strength and breakage pattern. What you might not know is the difference between all the various types of glass, and you may need help choosing the right hurricane safe solution. These hurricane resistant windows offer security from flying debris and hurricane force winds. Hurricane windows and their effects on firefighting. To be recognized as hurricane impact resistant windows and doors, assemblies require certification to standards defined by either miamidade county mdc tas 201, 202, and 203, or astm e1886 and e1996. Search pgt impact resistant hurricane windows and doors. Hurricane resistant requirements graham architectural products.
This can vary in thickness from 516 to 916 and glass type by using annealed. Meeting the highest standards of the dade county approvals and the texas department of insurance. There is a patchwork of codes for hurricane rated glazing. Impact resistant windows are created by layering a sturdy membrane between panes of glass. Laminated glass is the primary hurricane barrier used in impact resistant windows. Strong winds, such as those in a hurricane, tornado or strong thunderstorm, can throw objects into windows and doors causing them to break. Impact resistant windows by achristian glass in delray. However, they also offer greater protection during hurricane season. Our teams of engineers work with clear purpose to provide exactly the glass type you need. Es windows esw is dedicated to the manufacturing and distribution of aluminum windows, doors, and curtain walls.
Bullet resistant products are similar to hurricane resistant windows, but use a thicker version of laminated glass. Hurricane glassor impactresistant windowscan eliminate the need for shutters altogether or reinforce the effectiveness of lowercost options. Hurricane impact resistant windows and doors are not cheap, and they will cost more than standard products. Tough, clear plastic hurricane film is popular because you cant really see it, and you can leave it in place yearround.
If the outer glass breaks, the shattered pieces will adhere to the pvb film. What you might not know is the difference between all the various types of glass, and you may need help choosing the right hurricanesafe solution. Be sure to clarify with the window representatives that they are talking about the thickness of the impactrated glass and not the nonimpactrated glass of the dualpane insulatingglass unit. Jul 12, 2019 impact resistant windows and hurricane shutters are two of the most common options for protecting your home during storms. If you are searching for replacement windows and doors or hurricane protection, we have everything you need. The glass and frame system can also be part of a bigger system that is anchored into the wall. Impact windows hurricane windows impact resistant windows. This type of glass is better described as bullet resistant, as for a piece of glass to be bullet proof it. Are hurricane proof windows and doors worth the cost. In fact, the american society for testing and materials astm has extremely strict guidelines for hurricane windows before they can even be certified as impact resistant. How to hurricaneproof windows hurricaneproof windows.
Impact and doublepane windows are stronger than conventional singlepane windows. Andersen offers several glass performance options to suit a variety of needs. Therefore, if you are residing near the beach, the glass windows and doors should be thicker. Living in florida, you know the importance of having impact resistant glass windows for your home or business.