Hurricane Resistant Windows: Cost and Benefits


Hurricane resistant or storm proof windows are made of impact resistant glass, which contains a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two glass slabs. The most effective type of impact resistant window is the inner membrane window. Impact resistant glass is likely to break on impact, but will remain attached to the inner membrane along with the window frame.

There is always an alternative to using a shatter resistant film that covers the window glass, which will prevent the glass from breaking.

Hurricane Windows Cost

Hurricane resistant windows can increase the total cost of construction. However, at the same time, they will offer great protection during storm season and can be very helpful in protecting property and may be the reason for how to get a reduced premium on the cost of your insurance. A good hurricane window cost will be between $ 40 and $ 55 per square foot, and this will include the frame and the hurricane proof glass. Some studies have shown that by installing hurricane windows, the construction cost will increase by a few thousand dollars on a new home. On average, a 60 "x 80" hurricane impact door size can cost around $ 1,900, while a 72 "X 80" sliding window is around $ 1950.

Hurricane resistant material guide for windows

The main options to consider as hurricane resistant windows are aluminum, vinyl, and wood. Aluminum is probably the strongest of the three, providing excellent results in hurricane conditions. Their main drawback is that they will have to be painted over time.
Vinyl hurricane proof windows are a great cost-effective solution, offering great insulation benefits, although the industry is still unsure how to recycle them. Lastly, wood can offer great energy efficiency, but its maintenance cost is the highest among these three options, not to mention that they will be susceptible to deformation over time.

Types of hurricane resistant window glass

The four main types of impact resistant glass are identified by the laminating procedure or the window interleaving procedure. PVB, Polyvinyl Butyral, is the most widely used product on impact glass market as it works well when impacted and absorbs impact. PVB with a PET coating is a very resistant product, but its manufacturing process is quite challenging, making it an economically less viable product. Sentry Glass Plus is more expensive than PVB, typically used in some federal construction or specialized areas that require bullet and bomb resistant glass. Finally, the resin laminates where a liquid is poured between two layers of glass and allowed to cure.

Advantages of Hurricane Resistant Windows

Hurricane resistant windows are manufactured with a polyvinyl membrane in the middle layer capable of withstanding storm winds of up to 200 miles per hour.
These windows could also provide energy efficiency to your structure, including minimal sound disturbance and UV protection.
Some of the biggest benefits of impact resistant windows are:
·         Come in different styles and sizes
·         Provide permanent protection against tornadoes, storms and hurricanes at any time
·         Its high resistance prevents the glass from breaking into large sharp pieces
·         When glass cracks create a 'spider-like' cracking pattern
·         A much higher sound insulation rating due to its damping effect
·         Blocks 99% of transmitted UV light
·         Some insurance companies may offer premium discounts of up to 45%

Disadvantages of Hurricane Resistant Windows

Impact resistant windows can also be expensive and sometimes too expensive. Adding an average of $ 55 per square foot, impact resistant windows could add a couple thousand more to your construction project, but will eventually lower your insurance costs.
Tear resistant film could be used as an alternative, but it is less effective and could fail in extreme wind conditions. Much of the noise-reducing properties of laminated glass come from the air gap between two panels of the laminate, not from the vinyl layer itself. If windows are installed without the benefit of these air gaps, then the noise reduction properties are greatly reduced.

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