Perhaps now more than ever, people are aware of the potential damage that comes with hurricanes. Within the past few years, America endures some of its most devastating hurricanes in history — among them Hurricane Irma. This hurricane was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, a Category 5 story with a 185 mile-per-hour winds. These winds lasted 37 hours, holding 37 trillion watts of energy. The effects it produced were not easy to come back from; 90% of the buildings on Barbuds were damaged by Hurricane Irma, and 60% of the population was left homeless afterwards.
With that being said, it’s important to consider how you are preparing your home to protect against hurricanes. Below, we’re going to look into some of the ways you can prepare your home for hurricane season. Whether you’re looking into high impact sliding doors or windows that can withstand gale force winds, it’s important to know that you’re choosing the right products for your home.
What Makes Hurricane Proof Products Hurricane?
Or in other words — what sets a hurricane proof product apart from others? Many manufacturers that create wholesale windows and doors create products for various purposes. As a result, some have higher resistance levels than others. These products may be considered more of an investment; but the results prove that they are more than worth it, and they really are quite different from alternative products.
Usually, the reason why products can be marketed as impact-proof or hurricane resistant is that they are made from a certain type of treated glass. This glass is treated with polyvinyl butral or ethelyne-vinyl acetate. High impact sliding doors will be made from this glass; the same can be said of hurricane resistant windows. While it is possible to potentially treat existent windows to make them more hurricane resistant, in areas where hurricanes are prevalent it safer and more time efficient — as well as potentially more cost efficient — choose high impact glass from the beginning.
How Does High Impact Glass Compare To Normal Glass?
Hurricane proof windows and doors react quite differently to impact and high winds than regular windows and doors — but perhaps not in the way that you would expect. It’s not so much that the glass is completely resistant to impact. What’s crucial is that, rather than shattering into shards that could potentially hurt people, high impact sliding doors or windows will break into thin cracks.
Of course, the windows or doors themselves need to be reinforced by their frames. Most frames are made of steel, vinyl, or wood. Usually, aluminum or steel frames are considered the strongest, and therefore the most storm resistant. With that being said, they can also be the most expensive and require a good amount of upkeep. Of course, wood requires even more upkeep due to its gradual degradation over time; and vinyl is difficult to recycle. Therefore, it may be best to invest in steel or aluminum from the start.
Why Invest In Hurricane Proof Products?
Ultimately, investing in hurricane proof products, like sliding glass doors, is up to the individual homeowner. But keep in mind that those living in areas prone to storms, while often in beautiful locations like Puerto Rico or St. Thomas, also have to contend with the risk of intense storms. High impact sliding doors and windows allow people to maintain their same aesthetic, while also being safe.
Keep in mind that the issues that come with hurricanes and other storms don’t merely devastate buildings themselves, but the people within them. Choosing hurricane proof products allows you to enjoy your home as you always have, but with safety in mind. For that matter, if damage does occur while you’re away from your home, you can rest easy knowing that it’s as minimal as possible. Investing in hurricane proof products now means that you will ideally pay for less later!