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.
Ultimately, hurricane-resistant windows are capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 miles per hour.
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.
There is a common misconception that hurricane windows and doors are “impact-proof”, but that is not true. They are called impact windows because they are impact-resistant, not impact-proof. The glass may crack when it's hit, but it will not break into pieces, or break away from the frame.
Most older homes have windows that do not latch, close, or operate properly which can be a nuisance and could also be dangerous in hurricanes; even with hurricane shutters on. With impact hurricane windows and doors you do not need hurricane shutters.
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.
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.
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.
While no window, lock, light or security system is 100% burglar proof, impact resistant windows and doors make it much more difficult for intruders to gain entry into your home.
Installation of hurricane-proof windows can actually give you an excellent return on your investment – between 75-85% – if you plan to sell or even refinance your home in the near future.
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.
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 impact windows definitely add value to your home. It may not be immediate monetary value, but you can save hundreds in energy costs and potential storm damage.
Though the FBC requirements may vary based on where your home is located, impact-resistant windows in Florida must be capable of withstanding up to 140 mph and greater wind speeds.
In other cases, the pressure created by high winds pressing against the window can cause tiny imperfections in the glass to crack and expand until it explodes, often all at once. The force of hurricane winds is enormous, single pane windows, especially, really take a beating from them.
You don't want to spoil anyone's fun by telling them not to play because you're worried about your windows. With impact windows, you can let them play and they can even keep playing after a ball hits your glass because it won't break.
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.
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.
Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in. First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home. Back door: 22% come in through the back door. Garage doors: 9% gain entrance through the garage.
According to her research, an overwhelming majority of burglars enter homes through the doors and windows. Thirty-four percent use the front door, while 22 percent get in through the back door. Twenty-three percent use first-floor windows. And oftentimes, those doors and windows aren't even locked.
Break-ins occur way too often across the United States. In the majority of cases, the burglar enters by breaking the window or door glass.
Building a Wood- or Steel-Frame Home to Resist 100 mph Winds
According to a report by FEMA, new wood-frame houses constructed according to building codes perform well structurally, in winds up to 150 mph, while a steel homes can withstand winds up to 170 mph.
Winds 130-156 mph (113-136 kt or 209-251 km/hr). Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed.
After moving west across south Florida and into the very warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina intensified rapidly and attained Category 5 status (with peak sustained winds of 175mph) for a period of time as it moved northwest on August 28th.
What is the cheapest way to protect windows from hurricanes? Storm panels are typically the least expensive window protection for a hurricane outside of plywood. See other affordable hurricane protection options in our guide on Affordable Hurricane Shutters: Best Options For Your FL Home.