With innovations in the construction market, there are more ways to protect your business, home, and family from severe weather. In South Florida, impact windows and doors can help prevent significant damage during severe storms, gale-force winds, and hurricanes. Impact windows are convenient compared to hurricane shutters as they don't require set-up steps on the day adverse weather is predicted, and they look good year-round. In this blog, the STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing team has provided a detailed guide to help you understand impact windows and why they are the preferred protective window choice.
When Did Impact Windows Become Mandatory?
Impact windows were not always mandatory in Florida, but after the devastating effects of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which left $27 billion in damages, building codes were changed to ensure newly built homes were more capable of withstanding hurricanes and severe weather.
Then, in 2002, a new state statute declared that all new homes must be built with impact-resistant doors and windows that can withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour. However, these new regulations and laws only apply to new builds built close to the shore in an HVHZ zones, so buildings built between 1992 are often still vulnerable to hurricane weather.
Fortunately, replacing or installing impact-resistant windows isn't as expensive or complicated as you might think if you choose a reliable and experienced installation company that specializes in impact windows and doors.
What Are PVB and SGP Interlayers?
Understanding the superiority of impact windows over traditional windows requires knowledge of the interlayers used. Specifically, Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Ionoplast SentryGlas Plus (SGP) interlayers. It's crucial to note that any glass window being installed in a home frame must adhere to building regulations, ensuring the safety and security of the occupants.
To meet Florida regulations, glass sizes typically range from 7/16" to 3/4" t heat-strengthened or annealed glass panel, interlayer, and another toughened glass panel. These three panels are bonded together at a high temperature. In addition, the interlayer can be either a PVB interlayer or an SGP interlayer.
Both are known for being strong and highly durable even during adverse weather, but an SGP interlayer is stronger than a PVB interlayer. In contrast, a PVB interlayer is more cost-effective. According to experts, SGP interlayers have a tear strength of five times that of a PVB interlayer and a rigidity strength of 100 times that of a PVB interlayer.
This means that if both panes of toughened glass break, the SGP interlayer is more likely to keep the glass upright than PVB interlayers. For this reason, impact windows with SGP interlayers tend to be preferable in areas with adverse weather conditions.
How Impact Windows Differ From Traditional Windows??????
An impact window is specifically designed to withstand the stress of hurricane-force winds and projectiles like branches, concrete shingles, metal roofing, and other debris moving at high speeds.
However, it's important to note that impact windows are not designed to be unbreakable. They are carefully engineered with toughened glass and interlayers – PVB or SGP – to remain intact or anchored to a window frame when hit so as not to let glass shatter and strike people in buildings and homes. This is what makes them different from traditional glass.
In addition, impact windows are also made to be structurally different from traditional glass. Have a look below to learn what comprises an impact window:
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An adhesive interlayer: Unlike most regular glass, impact-resistant glass features an adhesive layer made of PVB or SGP material as an interlayer between two pieces of glass, which is what prevents the glass panes from shattering and an object penetrating through the glass to provide the most protection.
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Shatter-resistant glass panes: Traditional windows feature one glass pane, but impact windows have two plus the protective interlayer. These panes provide multiple layers of protection. The multiple layers include the PVB or SGP interlayer which protects a home or business from flying debris, severe winds, and storms. Even when the exterior pane shatters, it won't break into dangerous shards.
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A durable frame: Many windows have strong frames but are not designed to withstand hurricane weather like impact window frames. An impact window frame is typically made with metal since it is the most durable material, but it can be made with wood or vinyl.
What Makes A Window Impact Resistant?
An impact window is not proven to be impact-resistant unless it meets and passes the criteria set out by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and receives the official impact-resistant designation.
Some of the testing an impact window has to pass to prove to be impact-resistant is as follows:
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Wind simulation: After an impact window has been tested against various projectiles, it has to undergo a wind simulation test. This test simulates hurricane winds of up to 200 miles per hour. A window needs to pass this test without breaking or shattering.
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Small missile impact: Two-gram steel balls hit the glass at 130 feet per second during this test. The windows need to remain intact for a specified amount of time.
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Large missile impact: For this test, a window must withstand the impact of a two-by-four and not break. During the test, the two-by-four will hit the window at a predetermined speed and weight.
Should the window pass the above tests, it is typically deemed impact-resistant. However, it's best to hire a professional company when choosing impact windows, as they can ensure that you are buying impact windows that have been certified by ASTM.
What Are The Common Types Of Impact Windows?
There are 4 common types of impact windows. We have briefly discussed the types below to help you determine which type would best suit your home or business.
1) Casement
One of the most versatile types of impact windows is the casement window. This window is designed to offer homeowners the best unobstructed view. A casement window operates by turning a handle to open the window outwards, which is why it is similar to a picture window. Casement impact windows usually work well in most home rooms, especially rooms requiring a minimum of one window to meet egress requirements per Florida's Building Code.
2) Single Hung
The most popular window type in most homes is a single-hung window. These windows are characterized by having the top part fixed in place while the bottom half can open and lift vertically. When opened, the bottom half is held up by balance rods. While they might not offer unobstructed views, single-hung impact windows are still worth considering.
3) Horizontal Sliding
Those looking for impact windows similar to sliding doors should consider horizontal sliding impact-resistant windows. These windows operate like sliding doors on a smaller scale and are characterized by a horizontal sliding mechanism that lets them be opened to the left or right. A horizontal sliding impact window is your best bet if you have a room where you must reach over or behind another object (like a bed).
4) Fixed
Fixed impact windows are often referred to as picture windows, meaning they cannot be opened or closed and are set in place. They are usually installed in homes or businesses with high ceilings, and their main purpose is to frame a beautiful view and let in natural light. Interestingly, fixed-impact windows are manufactured in different shapes and sizes and are the most energy-efficient impact windows on the market. This type of impact window is best installed in spaces like dining rooms, family rooms, living rooms, basements, and nurseries.
What Are The Benefits Of Installing Impact Windows???????
Impact windows offer far more benefits than traditional ones, so they are the preferred choice for those looking at a new build and those wanting to renovate and install new windows that offer more protection.
First and foremost, impact windows are designed to keep your home and those in it safe during a bad storm or hurricane. These windows are shatterproof and won't break into hazardous shards that can hurt people. However, besides offering ample protection during adverse weather conditions, these windows have a few other benefits like the ones listed below:
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Safety: Impact windows use laminate PVB or SGP glass, adding another layer of security to your home. Criminals find it harder to break into homes with these windows since they offer high protection levels and cannot be easily broken or shattered.
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Lowered insurance costs: It might be difficult to believe, but installing impact windows can lower your home insurance premiums. This is because a home with impact-resistant windows is far less likely to incur significant damages during adverse weather conditions.
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UV protection: Impact-resistant windows with interlayered PVB or SGP glass can eliminate up to 99% of UV ray damage to a home or commercial building's interior furnishings and decorations. This helps individuals save money in the long run, as indoor items affected by the sun won't need to be replaced as often.
Contact STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing To Learn More About Impact Windows
Contact our team at STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing today to learn how we can help make your home or business a safer space. We are happy to meet with you and discuss your options and help you understand what type of impact windows are better for your needs and budget. Request a free consultation and quote today.