Windows do more than just let sunlight in and brighten up spaces, they also play a crucial role in protecting homes from the outdoor elements. Homeowners often find themselves weighing the pros and cons of hurricane-impact windows and traditional windows. While traditional windows may seem like a more cost-effective choice, they might not provide the best protection during extreme weather conditions. Let’s understand which windows are the best for your home.
Hurricane Impact Windows
Hurricane impact windows are specially designed to withstand strong winds, flying projectiles and pressure changes caused by storms. These windows are made from laminated glass which consists of several layers bonded together with a strong interlayer. This design ensures that even if the glass breaks due to intense pressure changes, it still remains in place, preventing dangerous shards from scattering.
Benefits of Impact Windows
Storm Protection
These windows are built to handle extreme weather, they can endure wind speeds of up to 200 mph and protect against flying debris that could otherwise easily shatter traditional window glass.
Better Security
Other than storm protection, these windows also provide an added layer of security to your home. They are quite difficult to shatter and help prevent break-ins and burglaries.
Energy Efficiency
These windows offer excellent insulation, keeping cool air indoors in summer and preventing heat from escaping outdoors in winter. They help maintain indoor temperatures, lowering energy bills and creating a more comfortable home.
Noise Reduction
These windows considerably reduce outside noise, creating a quieter and more peaceful indoor space. They can be especially beneficial for people who live near a busy market.
Insurance Benefits
Many insurance companies offer extra discounts to homeowners who have hurricane-resistant features like impact windows and doors. So they help you make considerable savings on your homeowner’s insurance.
Traditional Windows
Traditional windows are made of standard glass which can easily break upon impact. Although they come in a wide range of styles and price ranges, they lack the strength of impact-resistant windows.
Challenges of Traditional Windows
Storm Damage
These windows can easily break during severe storms and hurricanes. Once they shatter they allow wind and rain to enter your home, creating serious pressure changes and increasing the risk of structural damage and water intrusion.
Need Protection
If you choose traditional windows in a hurricane-prone area, you need to get storm shutters or plywood to keep them protected during extreme weather. This means putting in extra effort and spending more money.
Limited Security
As traditional windows have regular glass that can be broken easily, they don’t offer much protection against break-ins and burglaries.
Lower Energy Efficiency
These windows typically lack the insulation and UV protection of impact windows, resulting in higher cooling and heating costs.
Contact Windpact Windows and Doors
While installing hurricane-impact windows may seem more expensive than traditional windows, the diverse benefits that they offer make them a wise investment. Upgrade to hurricane-impact windows in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, FL today by contacting Windpact Windows and Doors.
