In short, yes. High-impact windows are designed to withstand projectiles and debris, consequently offering more strength than standard windows, which are crafted to protect from wind damage.
Impact-resistant windows and doors were developed to protect homes from hurricane-force winds, but they're also the best solution for homeowners who want to minimize their risk for damage from tornadoes.
Impact-resistant windows are designed to withstand impact from debris at high speed, whether it's from a hurricane, tornado, or even a burglar. If you aren't currently ready or willing to replace all of your home's windows, you can also install shutters to protect your current windows from hurricanes.
Impact windows are able to withstand all wind-blown debris, forced entry attempts, and wind speeds of up to 175 mph. This is the equivalent wind speed of a Category 5 hurricane.
Impact-resistant tornado windows are a special type of security glass or glass-like product that is much stronger than your traditional window glass.
The Leading Tornado-Resistant House Design
Prefabricated house kits made with structural insulated panels (SIPs) are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris. These homes can also sometimes be upgraded to incorporate reinforced materials, including steel and concrete board.
Insulated concrete form walls are the best protection from windblown debris to a home and its occupants during a tornado event. An ideal choice for tornado-resistant wall construction is Fox Block ICFs. Fox Blocks contain thermal and structural features within a single, reinforced concrete wall section.
Installing these windows significantly lowers your chances of major damage to your home. Hurricane impact windows have advanced to the point where they can withstand Category 5 wind conditions, and the debris that goes with it. So next time a hurricane hits your neighborhood, don't be caught unprotected.
Impact windows are oftentimes worth the money. Though they're typically more costly than standard windows, the impact options can reduce the price of your home insurance and help prevent costly home damages caused by storms.
All PGT WinGuard® windows and doors are rated for Impact Zone 3 and Impact Zone 4 ratings and are tested to withstand winds over 150 miles per hour in accordance with the ASCE Wind Zone Map.
In reality, opening your windows will only serve to weaken your home as strong winds gust around inside. The best thing you can do during a tornado is to stay away from windows altogether.
Forget about the old notion of opening windows to equalize pressure; the tornado will blast open the windows for you! If you shop frequently at certain stores, learn where there are bathrooms, storage rooms or other interior shelter areas away from windows, and the shortest ways to get there.
Hurricane Windows & Impact Windows Are Not the Same
To be considered a hurricane window, a product simply needs to provide a certain level of wind resistance. An impact window, on the other hand, will offer wind resistance as well as protection from impacts.
The biggest drawback of impact windows is their cost, which is why they are typically only used in high-risk areas. However, it is beneficial in the long run because they last much longer than other types of glass.
“Opening the windows in your house before a tornado will reduce damage by balancing the pressure inside and outside the structure.” False! Homes are damaged and destroyed by the extremely strong winds in a tornado, not pressure. If a tornado is approaching, you should seek shelter immediately.
The basic answer is no. You do not need hurricane shutters if you have impact windows. The impact windows will protect your home and family from hurricane winds and flying debris.
While impact windows aren't indestructible, they are very hard to break. To get through, a burglar would create a ruckus and likely be caught. Breaking through impact windows typically proves to be considerable work and energy, forcing burglars to move on.
Impact windows are multi-layered meaning that even when the outside glass is damaged, the window may crack but it does not shatter. This makes breaking into a home through an impact window far more time-consuming and far more difficult.
Because impact windows can help protect your home from high winds and flying debris, your insurance company may give you a discount on your premium. In some cases, the discount can be as much as 20 to 30 percent. That can add up to significant savings over the life of your policy.
Hurricane Window Life Span
Wooden impact windows will last 30 to 50 years but only with regular maintenance and care. Aluminum is the most popular material for impact windows. However, their lifespan ranges between 15 and 20 years.
How Thick Should Impact Windows Be? Impact windows should be at least 7/16-9/16 inches (11.1-14.3 mm) thick. That width ensures they can withstand high winds and provide the best protection for your home. Some areas may require thicker windows, so it's essential to check with your local building code regulations.
Windows made entirely of glass pose a real danger during a hurricane and other intense storms, more so if they aren't boarded up to prevent them from shattering. An impact hurricane window is rated for a high-wind zone, which means you don't technically have to board them up when a hurricane is in the forecast.
Can a structure survive an EF-4 or 5 tornado without damage? The answer is an emphatic yes, if they are built as reinforced concrete shells. A disaster-resistant concrete shell must have an integral reinforced concrete roof, detailed as a diaphragm in order to maximize the potential strength of the shell structure.
An EF3 tornado can cause catastrophic damage, including removing roofs and walls, whereas an EF2 tornado can significantly damage a house's roof and walls. Tornadoes with an EF4 or EF5 rating have the potential to produce immense and terrible damage, including destruction of buildings.