As with a saw, the axe is used to cut the top and two sides. If a firefighter is using a halligan, the fork end is recommended as the best way to get through a hurricane window, since the point can become lodged in the plastic inner layer. Use the fork to cut and rip the window on the top and both sides.
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.
Impact resistant windows and doors are made to withstand impact and not break into pieces regardless of whether the impact comes from hurricane-force winds, flying debris or a hammer.
In plain terms, yes, impact glass can break. However, as these glass structures receive impact, the inner layer of PVB keeps the structure from breaking down—it keeps the window standing even though the glass shatters. There are varying types of impact glass.
Impact glass is designed to resist heavy blows, and for this reason, it has become the mainstay in windshields for cars, trucks, and busses and more recently houses windows. Just like a car windshield, however, it can break if hit hard enough.
How much force does it take to break a house window? Depending on the manufacturer, the force required to break tempered glass ranges from 20,000 to 24,000 PSI (or pounds per square inch).
Aluminium windows are considered one of the most secure options available on the market. It is one of the most burglar resistant materials available because of its inherently strong properties despite its featherweight appearance. When discussing aluminium's durability, it's much stronger than most people realise.
These windows were created to resist the impact of debris flying at the highest of speeds, so it would be virtually impossible for a human to be able to break through the glass using popular conventional means, such as a blunt object or simply their hands.
Designed and made to withstand winds up to 170 mph.
Impact resistant windows, also known as hurricane windows, are designed and made to withstand high winds (up to 170 mph) and resist shattering when struck.
Hurricane windows are engineered to be safer and withstand more extreme weather conditions than windows with standard glass. A strong hurricane glass, also called laminated glass, is installed in place of the standard window glass.
Hurricane-grade windows are generally made with two pieces of heat treated glass bonded together to a thin plastic membrane. There are many other material options but this membrane is typically made from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ionoplast polymer.
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.
To get technical for a moment, impact-resistant windows usually blend laminated and tempered glass together with a substance like polyvinyl butyral (PVB), producing an incredibly safe and secure glass that's able to handle direct “attacks”.
Hurricane impact windows are designed to withstand conditions present during a Category 5 hurricane, including winds up to 158 mph, flying debris, heavy hail or ice. So how strong are hurricane impact windows? Pretty darn strong.
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.
Double pane windows include two pieces of glass with an air gap in between. Advantages include better insulation, noise reduction, and UV control. However, double pane windows are not designed to withstand windborne debris and should be protected just like single pane glass when a hurricane is threatening.
Bullet-resistant glass is often thicker than impact windows, as it doesn't reflect bullets, but it absorbs the energy to embed the shell within the glass. On the other hand, hurricane proof windows use laminated materials to stop projectiles. The glass comes treated to resist shattering - not stop a bullet.
Break bulletproof glass with explosives like dynamite or C4.
Set these explosives within about 3 feet (0.91 m) of the glass to maximize their effectiveness. While some types of bulletproof glass are rated “Blast resistant,” they're likely not strong enough to withstand C4 or dynamite exploding only a few feet away.
Category 4 Hurricane
These winds can destroy a home's roof structure and exterior walls, topple most trees and power lines, and cause damage that will last for months. Category 4 hurricanes cause extreme harm to glass windows and doors for homes and businesses.
Hurricane windows are treated with a laminate that prevents the glass from breaking but does not stop a bullet from passing through them. These windows are designed to protect against flying debris caused by hurricane winds. So, to answer your question, no, hurricane or impact windows aren't bulletproof.
All it takes is a few pounds of force applied to a small surface area, which is what a window punch is designed for. Conversely, striking the glass with a larger item (fist, flashlight, your head as in a YouTube video) is far less likely to break it.
A Claw Hammer
If you use heavy metal to break a glass, you should go around the edges of the window, where the glass is weakest. Manufacturers assume that in a collision or impact, the center of a windshield or auto glass is the most vulnerable point.
Polycarbonate Unbreakable Glass
A polycarbonate window is much more difficult to break through than a standard glass window. In fact, according to some estimates a polycarbonate window is over 200 times more resistant to impact!
“You want to go toward the edges of the glass, which is the weakest point of the glass,” Baldi said.