Why do manufacturers rate hurricane impact windows? When hurricane winds enter a house, the home’s structure, mainly the roof, won’t survive. The pressure that builds inside the house will cause the separation of all inside materials. The pressure can cause destruction or partial but still severe in minutes.
The hurricane damage can be unimaginable to homeowners who have never confronted such a disastrous event. For Florida homeowners, the realities of hurricane destruction don’t involve if but when it will happen. Therefore, homeowners should install impact doors and windows near me for better storm security instead of plywood.
Yes, rated hurricane impact windows are a significant investment, but the rating system can be a headache – particularly for first-time buyers. To help give you more knowledge, our impact window installers near you will clarify how impact windows are rated to guarantee you make the correct buy.
Rated Hurricane Impact Windows are better than Regular Windows
Rated Hurricane impact windows have the top ratings for their impact-resistant glass and reinforced frames. Manufacturers built and rated hurricane impact windows with tempered and laminated glass, making them almost unbreakable.
However, damage to glass looks like vehicle windows – by making a spiderweb crack. The spiderweb prevents the shards of destructive glass from blowing into one’s house during high-wind storms.
When the tempered glass breaks, the material essentially breaks into little pebbles, lowering the chance of cuts or injury. Traditional single-pane windows bring float glass, breaking into huge sharp pieces upon impact.
Moreover, rated hurricane impact window and door items undergo stringent testing to guarantee they can effectively protect a home from hardcore water pressure, strong winds, and structural damage.
Because of their numerous advantages over traditional windows, Clearwater and surrounding areas should consider impact windows.
Why so many Hurricane Impact Window Ratings?
Window ratings offer different homeowners the benefits of impact windows and not necessarily for hurricane protection. A South Florida and coastline homeowner will require impact windows since they live in regions vulnerable to severe storm winds.
However, a homeowner living up north, like in Connecticut, may just buy impact windows to improve their property’s energy efficiency or prevent burglary. Different window ratings exist to help clients find the perfect window for their particular region’s needs.
How to Understand the Design Pressure (DP) Rating for Hurricane Impact Windows?
Probably the most important rating you will see for an impact window is the Design Pressure (DP) rating. It is a numerical value that tells a window’s capability to withstand wind pressure factors and water penetration.
The pressure testing in a window’s DP rating includes:
- Water infiltration
- Air infiltration
- Structural load
The higher the DP rating, the more a window can endure. For example, a window with a DP rating of 50 has passed structural load testing of 75 pounds per sq foot or an astonishing 200 mph winds.
While a window with a DP rating of 35 can withstand 50 pounds per sq feet or 125 mph winds. If your region is vulnerable to hurricane five winds, consider impact windows with a DP rating 50.
Performance Grade (PG) Rating
A design pressure rating will meet just two of the three tested components. Accordingly, the Performance Grade (PG) rating measures more accurately and efficiently.
Impact-resistant windows with a PG rating should meet all three criteria referred to above, for example, water infiltration, air infiltration, and structural load.
Wind Scale Ratings for Hurricane Impact Windows
Storms are given a Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rating from 1 through 5 because of their sustained wind speed. For instance, a Category 1 storm can sustain winds of 74 to 95 mph, whereas a Category 5 hurricane sustained winds of 157 mph or higher. A window’s wind scale rating estimates its capacity to withstand various high-speed winds.
Sun-based Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) identifies how much solar radiation goes through impact windows and doors in a home. A lower number ( .30 to .60) means the window can better block the sun’s solar energy from entering your home.
Glass Thermal Properties
Understanding glass thermal properties in windows and doors can be challenging to understand. A few standard terms seen on the stickers of window models will address specific capacities, including:
- Thermal conductivity
- R-Value
- U-Factor
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
- Air leakage
- Visible transmittance
- Light-to-solar gain
- Condensation resistance
To better understand these terms in plain language, read below:
The significance of these properties depends on your home’s unique needs. For example, when you look for a more energy-efficient window, install windows with NRFC labeling.
But, if your house requires windows with minimal air leakage, ask the expert for these ratings, as these might influence the hurricane window price.
