What Does an Anti-Hurricane Window Look Like?

The windows in Florida do not support extreme weather phenomena. Probably where they suffer the most is on the coast, where the air is much more humid and is loaded with nitrate. Precisely because of this proximity to the sea we also run the risk of experiencing some gale, sudden winds, and rapids typical of the Bay of Biscay, although fortunately, they are not habitual or as destructive as a hurricane.

But there are cities where its inhabitants are used to living under the real threat of tornadoes and hurricanes. And that's why in places like Florida or Mexico, companies offer windows and hurricane protection among their products, something totally unknown to us.

Studies show that if a building's openings are preserved undamaged during a tornado, the chances of retaining the roof increase, reducing material damage. Following Hurricane Andrew, which wiped out the US in 1992, South Florida began developing building construction standards, including window manufacturing, that have greatly improved safety.

What does a hurricane window look like?

Anti-hurricane glass is the one that can withstand the force of a category 5 hurricane, with winds of more than 250 km per hour, or the impact of objects thrown by it.

Although there are several types of glass, the most widespread is laminated glass, consisting of two glass sheets between which a polyvinyl butyral sheet is placed. These glasses withstand high winds and impacts and even if they break, the sheet keeps the cracked glass together, preventing the wind from entering the house.

The woodwork of a hurricane, the window is also extra resistant. It must withstand the pressure of high power winds and large impacts since, otherwise, the frame could give way under the force of a hurricane.

In some cases, the windows even include structures that would help support the weight of the house if there was a risk of collapse.

Other anti-hurricane protections

Another alternative is the anti-hurricane closings. They are more affordable but require pre-storm installation.

There are several types of closings, with different degrees of installation difficulty:

Blinds: in some places, they are called "European curtains". They are of the same type as those we use in Florida. They recommend them for small windows. Its installation is simple: you just have to download them.

Shutters: they can be the classic shutters that open to the sides or the Bahamas model, which opens upwards. Both are fixed elements of the facade and their preparation is very simple and fast.

Anticyclonic tarps or meshes: they are large tarps made of a resistant geotextile. They are placed around the house, very tense, and are translucent, allowing you to see what is happening outside during the storm. They appear to be very effective even in very violent hurricanes. Its installation involves quite a bit of difficulty.

Polycarbonate systems: Polycarbonate is a transparent material with a plastic appearance. They are sheets that are installed on the facades, with steel rails at the bottom and top of the windows, being fixed to the wall. Sufficient time before the storm is required for installation.