Shielding Your South Florida Home From Elements With Impact Glass Windows & Doors
The State of Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, gorgeous coasts…and hurricanes. Every year, these vicious storms cause billions of dollars of damage to homes that aren’t adequately prepared for the impact. One effective way to storm-proof your Florida home is to invest in impact glass doors and windows from STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing.
Protective windows and doors used to look bulky and, frankly, unattractive. But times have changed, and so have aesthetics, without compromising safety and efficiency. Hurricane doors and windows are now available in a wide variety of styles and colors for every type of home, adding both a layer of protection and a boost in value to the housing market.
Read on to learn more about how impact glass protects your Florida home from dangerous hurricane elements.
How Impact Glass Works
Storms happen just about everywhere in the United States but don’t carry wind gusts over 100 miles per hour like Florida hurricanes do. That means even the most well-made glass won’t be up to the job of protecting a home from all the debris that gets tossed about in such conditions. Impact glass is specifically designed to withstand impact from heavy objects, such as rocks, roofing tile, tree branches, and other debris that are commonly strewn about when the storm winds pick up at full speed.
But aside from the risk of flying debris is the change in air pressure that happens when a hurricane occurs. The difference in air pressure inside and outside the home is quite significant, with pressure building up outside the home. When a closed-up house maintains its usual air pressure inside, the outside pressure only increases. Because impact glass is thicker than ordinary glass, it’s able to withstand this difference in air pressure.
How Impact Glass Protects Your Home
Any cracks in the door or window glass can have dangerous consequences. Mainstream glass windows or doors can withstand the impact of debris, up to a point. Cracks from impact can cause leaks or breaks, allowing the wind to do significant damage.
Impact glass is built to be more durable than average glass, with a protective interlayer with glass on both sides. It can be built into sturdy door and window frames that can handle heavy impact, even to the point that it may crack – but it will not fail. This very important feature is what will protect your family and your home during the strongest of hurricanes.
Hurricane impact glass in doors protects breakage from winds, while the weather seals prevent wind gaps that can cause a door to rattle or break off. This makes it difficult for outside air to get in, retaining the pressure of the air inside the home, thus keeping everyone safe within it.
Impact glass in windows works similarly, with window frames able to be customized to suit the aesthetic of your home. Fixed windows come in a variety of shapes and styles, so you can choose from a variety of architectural designs without compromising safety during a storm. What’s more, a home with windows that are as gorgeous as they are functional and protective during hurricane season is sure to be a hot commodity on the home resale market.
Additional Benefits Of Impact Glass
As if increased protection during dangerous storms wasn’t enough, impact glass offers additional benefits even beyond hurricane season. Some of these benefits include:
Increased Home Security
Glass that is difficult to break during a violent storm is also difficult to break by your average home intruder. Many burglaries are crimes of opportunity, so if your home proves difficult to get into, chances are that the would-be intruder will give up quickly.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Because the impact glass is so thick, it’s efficient at keeping hot air out of the home as well as hurricane debris. Decreased heat build-up means that your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool during the hottest months of the summer, thus saving you money on utility bills. In addition to saving energy, and reducing your carbon footprint, who doesn’t love saving money in the long run?
Quality UV Protection
Tourists and residents alike love the Florida sun, but too much of a good thing can be bad. The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause burns or, over a period of time, skin cancer. South and West-facing homes can benefit from the UV protection offered by impact glass, keeping homes cooler and residents safer from sun exposure.
Reduced Outside Noise
Part of living in a city or neighborhood means dealing with outside noises. A home that is truly a sanctuary offers insulation against outside noise, which is another perk of – you guessed it – impact glass. The multi-layers of large windows actually minimize outdoor noises up to 65%. Don’t worry anymore about being disturbed by car alarms, construction, or barking dogs with these unique windows.
Impact Glass Doors And Windows In South Florida
Ultimately, impact glass is not about adding value to your home or saving money on energy bills (although those benefits are quite nice). It’s about protecting what matters most to you: your family and belongings. Having impact glass doors and windows installed by reputable industry professionals like STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing can mean the difference between mild and severe damage.
Peace of mind is truly a priceless thing to have in the midst of hurricane panic. Keep your home safe by trusting a local company that has been in the business of protecting homes for over 25 years. We are proud to be one of Florida’s leading providers of hurricane protections. Our confidence in our work means we offer a 3-year installation fee to all of our customers.
To learn more about our services, and additional safety products such as impact garage doors, call us today at 561-600-1018.
