Natural weather catastrophes, such as storms, are increasing due to global warming, which is bad for the earth. Owners of business buildings and some residential homeowners are deliberately shielding their structures and themselves from these destructive forces as a result. Installing hurricane windows is one way they achieve this.
These windows – what are they? Are they truly able to keep structures safe from these storms and other weather disasters? We’ll address all these queries as we reveal what you should know about hurricane windows.
An Explanation of Hurricane Windows
When you compare these windows to the regular types of glass windows, their durability is noticeably higher. Their design enables them to endure the strong winds and any flying debris. You can check out this website for samples of hurricane windows to give you a pictorial idea of what we’re talking about. The windows are engineered by the manufacturers to withstand breaking upon impact.
Owners of buildings who choose these alternatives show that they are dedicated to maintaining building safety. It should come as no surprise that coastal areas, which are vulnerable to hurricanes as well as tropical storms, are where you will see these house fittings most frequently. Due to their high rating for impact resistance, they can also be found in areas that are prone to tornadoes. You should purchase goods from reputable manufacturers if you want the best.
Whether they are new or replacements, these fittings are ideal for the majority of building jobs. They not only improve aesthetic appeal but also guarantee safety. You can maintain resident safety without sacrificing aesthetic attractiveness. Therefore, building owners don’t have to design their buildings without windows or for their exteriors to be boarded up.
Materials Used for the Production of Hurricane Windows
Manufacturers utilize the same material elements to create these products. Every manufacturer, however, use various materials in their own processes and procedures. These items are typically composed of two glass panes that have been treated with heat and joined by a slim plastic membrane. These membranes are primarily composed of ionoplast polymer or polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
The plastic membrane’s thickness determines the strength of the window as well as its durability. This is crucial because it is the part that keeps the integrity of the window glazing in place. Similar to safety glasses used for car windshields, the hurricane window will stay mostly intact in the event that the glass breaks for whatever cause. This type of glass offers a lot more durability than its laminated safety counterpart, but they both use the same technique to secure the glass.
Typically, these products’ frames are often made of either aluminum or steel. Nonetheless, some producers employ less expensive substitutes, like vinyl. These substitutes have the drawback of being less durable.
Ratings of Hurricane Windows
The producers put these house fittings through a pressure test that ensures that they can endure dangerous storm situations. The test consists of three phases, which evaluate the window’s structural integrity and resistance to water and air. The test result establishes the DP or Design Pressure ratings for the window.
Although the process of determining DP ratings might appear complex, there is an easy way to understand them. First, you must consult the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. You can read this post to learn more about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. You can use this scale to determine the different storm categories:
- Winds with 74–95 mph fall into Category 1
- Winds with 96–110 mph fall into Category 2
- Winds with 111–129 mph fall into Category 3
- Winds with 130–156 mph fall into Category 4
- Winds with 157 mph fall into Category 5.
The DP rating increases by roughly one hurricane level for every ten points. A 20-DP rating, for instance, ought to be able to withstand a category 2 hurricane. A 40-DP rating should, therefore, be able to withstand a category 4 storm.
Thankfully, most manufacturers give this information in an easy-to-understand and straightforward manner. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about the mathematical calculations needed to get the DP rating. To guarantee peak performance, the manufacturers can even work in tandem with the Engineer of Record (EOR) for your building.
Requirements for Hurricane Windows
As we mentioned earlier, manufacturers test their products rigorously before assigning a grade. To be classified as hurricane-resistant, these materials must pass additional testing. The organization that oversees the testing of these materials to make sure they adhere to specifications is the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM).
All manufacturers are expected to follow and abide by the ASTM guidelines. You can visit https://www.astm.org/ to learn more about this organization. Additionally, ASTM performs testing with progressively tighter standards for different levels of impact resistance.
One of these evaluations is a sizable missile impact test. A 2X4 missile weighing nine pounds is launched into the middle of the glass at 50 fps (feet per second), or roughly 35 mph. The procedure is repeated with the window’s corner as the target if the window survives. The product passes the test if it is still unbroken after both tries.
In addition, the window needs to be able to endure pressures comparable to what is encountered in winds as high as 200 mph. It must retain the structural integrity inside its frame throughout this test. Furthermore, the laminate cannot have any noticeable punctures in it.
Additional Advantages of Hurricane Windows
In addition to their ability to withstand storms, these products have several other benefits. They are notably more durable and long-lasting than their regular counterparts. Because of this, they are a wise investment regardless of local weather trends. Additionally, they offer the following:
- Improved attenuation of noise
- Resistance to explosives and gunfire
- Enhanced security measures UV resistance
- Deterrence of trespassers
Conclusion
Storm-resistant windows are made to survive hurricanes and strong storms. These are constructed from glass that has been treated with heat and merged with a slim plastic membrane and are encased in a steel, aluminum, or vinyl frame. These fittings are divided into four categories; therefore, they are not all made equal.
To make sure they can withstand hurricanes and other storms, these materials go through extensive testing. Given that the average cost, including installation, is between $75 and $150 per square foot, they can be highly costly. They are very beneficial in the long run, which makes them a smart investment regardless of their initial price.
