A standard hurricane window will be able to withstand the extreme pressure generated by hurricane-force winds, but it
will shatter if struck by airborne debris
. Impact windows are constructed with a durable laminate between the glass panes.
How thick is hurricane impact glass?
Impact windows use thick laminated glass and sturdy framing materials, which result in a decrease in external noise by as much as 40%. Their overall thickness ranges from
7/16” to 9/16”
, as compared to typical single pane glass measuring an average of 1/8”.
What is hurricane impact glass?
Hurricane impact glass is made by
pressing together many different layers of laminated glass
. This glass also has a thin piece of film designed to keep the window from shattering even when it is up against high winds, falling debris, or a lot of pressure.
What type of glass is hurricane proof?
Laminated Security Glass
(Hurricane Impact Windows)
This is a special type of impact-resistant window glass consisting of a thermoplastic interlayer sandwiched between two outer layers of strong glass.
Is hurricane glass tempered glass?
If tempered laminate glass is broken, it will break into small pieces, but is still be held together by the tough, but flexible plastic layer. … Windows made with tempered laminated glass have the much higher strength of tempered glass.
Can impact glass break?
Impact resistant windows are designed to withstand impact from debris at high speed. Rather than shattering like a traditional pane of glass, impact resistant windows will splinter,
but not break through
.
Can impact glass be cut?
It was these findings which led to the development and regulation of impact glass for homes and businesses. So, while
impact glass can indeed break
, the internal PVD polymer keeps the glass from shattering in the same manner as typical window panes.
Can impact windows withstand Category 5?
Yes
, impact windows can resist category five hurricanes. Impact windows are designed to withstand the harsh winds and flying debris that may hit during a storm. Our windows have three layers that make the window so sturdy.
Is hurricane impact glass bulletproof?
Bullet-resistant glass is
often thicker than impact windows
, as it doesn't reflect bullets, but it absorbs the energy to embed the shell within the glass. On the other hand, hurricane proof windows use laminated materials to stop projectiles. The glass comes treated to resist shattering – not stop a bullet.
Are high impact windows worth it?
ENERGY STAR estimates that if you are replacing single-pane windows with double-pane high impact windows, you could see savings
between $126 to $465 per year
in energy costs. If you are upgrading your existing double-pane windows to a high impact product, the savings are still estimated to be $27 to $111 per year.
Can Hurricanes break windows?
The simple answer is
yes
. Hurricanes can produce extremely dangerous winds. A Category 5 storm can generate wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour. While steady wind may be unlikely to shatter a window, sudden, sharp gusts can add immense pressure to windows and doors and can break them.
Is laminated glass a impact glass?
Laminated impact resistant glass is made up of
2 different sheets of glass
which also has an inter-layer which is what bonds them together. Laminated glass is one of the most popular hurricane barriers that are used in manufacturing impact resistant windows.
Are there different grades of impact windows?
There are three main options for impact windows:
Aluminum, vinyl, and wood
. But how do these hurricane windows compare and contrast with each other? Let's take a deeper look. Stronger.
What glass is high impact glass?
The most common way to achieve impact resistance in windows and doors is to select a product that uses
laminated glass
. Laminated glass is comprised of two panes of glass bonded together with a strong, clear interlayer.
Which type's of glass will break into shards of glass upon impact?
Annealed glass (often referred to as “standard glass” or “plate glass”)
will break into large shards if impacted. It gets its name from the cooling process that this glass type undergoes after being produced.
How do you know if you have impact glass?
Watermarks are etched into the glass
and are a surefire way to tell if a window has impact glass. If you can't find the watermark, the window label should give you the info you need.
