You’ve heard about the necessity for hurricane-proof or hurricane-resistant windows if you reside in Florida or another hurricane-prone location. However, many homeowners need to learn what type of material these windows are made from or how they can be installed to protect their homes.
Hurricane-resistant windows are made of multiple layers of laminated glass, similar to the construction of car windshields. This layered design resists shattering and breaks into fewer and more-dull pieces, keeping your home safe.
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Tempered Glass
What materials Hurricane Windows are made of is essential to consider when it comes to safety and preventing damage. These windows are built to withstand high winds and debris thrown around during a hurricane, protecting your home from the storm’s potentially devastating effects.
Tempered glass is a form of glass that has been heated to keep it from breaking into harmful fragments. Instead, it breaks into small, dull cubes that are less likely to cause harm to people nearby.
This type of glass is often used for doors and windows in residential buildings and car windshields. It is especially beneficial for those who live in areas with extreme weather conditions, as it can protect the occupants and their possessions from serious injury.
Tempering annealed (ordinary) glass begins by heating it to extremely high temperatures using a furnace. Then it is cooled with forced air drafts, leaving the center in tension while the outside surface becomes more solid, giving it its strength.
Laminated Glass
When it comes to preventing the risk of injury and damage from breakage in a hurricane, one of the best solutions is laminated glass. This robust and impact-resistant glazing is made by uniting two panes of tempered, heat strengthed, or annealed glass with a flexible polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer.
When impacted, the interlayer sticks together in a spider web-like pattern, keeping broken pieces of glass from flying around and possibly causing injury or damage to people inside the home. This laminated safety glass is also used in automobile windshields to prevent shards from ricocheting and falling on the roadside or passengers, which could lead to fatal injuries.
Laminated glass is available in many different opacities, thicknesses, and coatings to provide various benefits. In addition, several options offer enhanced energy efficiency, including insulated glass or Low-E coatings.
Aluminum Frames
Aluminum frames are a durable option, and they’re typically used in hurricane windows. They’re often rust-resistant, too.
Another popular material for hurricane windows is vinyl. These materials are incredibly energy efficient and come in various color options and finishes.
These windows are also designed to keep water out, which makes them a good choice for homeowners in Florida and other warm climates.
A good quality aluminum frame will have been anodized or baked-on to provide a long-lasting finish, and sealed corners will stay square and confirmed over time.
Aluminum frames are an excellent choice for many people, especially those who want a solid yet light frame. They’re also a low-maintenance option, lasting up to 45 years if you take good care of them.
Plywood
Plywood is a lightweight and durable material used to construct various buildings. Compared to natural wood, it is more versatile and easier to shape and size to fit a specific purpose.
It is made from a series of thin sheets (veneers) of wood glued together. The grains of each surface are oriented in perpendicular directions to improve strength and minimize movement.
The plywood sheet is trimmed to the final width and length, then sanded with belt sanders or manually spotted sanded for intermediate grades.
There are several grades of plywood, each with a different resistance to water and chemicals. The grading system is based on the wood species and glue used in the bonding process.
The most resistant type of plywood is weather and boil-proof, which has a special glue that will resist being submerged in boiling water. It can also withstand high humidity and is ideal for exterior use.
