Hurricanes are typically devastating storms that cause serious amounts of damage year after year in hurricane-prone areas. Many people who live in the Caribbean and the southern United States know how destructive hurricanes can become, which is why many homes are reinforced with all kinds of protection against these volatile storms.
However, not all households are sufficiently protected, which is an alarming piece of information, to say the least. Some people simply aren’t aware of hurricanes’ raw power, while others have different reasons as to why they don’t want to protect their homes. There are many reasons why you should consider installing hurricane protection, and more importantly – why you should, at the very least, consider installing hurricane windows.
If you’re struggling to decide whether it’s worth installing impact windows and protecting the inside of your home that way, here are some tips and advice on how to choose impact windows and why they are a must-have in hurricane-prone areas.
How to Look for the Best Impact and Hurricane Windows
In case you’re planning on buying specialized windows to protect your home against the devastating power of hurricanes, here are a couple of things you should look for:
Durability
Naturally, the first thing you should look for in an impact window is its durability and capability to withstand harsh conditions. Now, while this sounds like a pretty straightforward buying strategy, you would be surprised by the number of people who opt for the first model they stumble upon without ever looking into its durability.
It is somewhat reasonable to assume that every impact window should, by default, be considered durable and strong, but that’s not entirely true. Many companies are selling windows of subpar quality for a suspiciously affordable price, which is why you should look into more factors as opposed to being immediately mesmerized with low prices.
Proper impact windows are foreseen to last for several decades. In contrast, lower quality windows require a complete overhaul after a couple of years of exposure to harsh weather conditions. Since changing your windows is a rather costly endeavor, you want to have a set of high-quality windows, which might be slightly more expensive but are definitely a worthy investment in the long run.
Resistance to Corrosion
Since hurricanes typically come with copious amounts of rain, it’s pretty evident that you should look for windows that are corrosion resistant. More importantly, rainfall in coastal areas usually contains salty (ocean) water, which is a deadly combination for windows that don’t fare well with corrosion in the first place.
Fortunately, the solution to this predicament is pretty simple – buy corrosion-resistant hurricane impact windows, and you should be fine for the foreseeable future.
Avoid Suspiciously Cheap Solutions
While this buying strategy can be applied to virtually any item you’re planning to purchase, it’s especially essential when hurricane windows are in question. As we all know, these storms can cause serious damage, primarily to your property, but also to people who may find themselves inside a home that’s not sufficiently protected and barricaded.
By opting for the cheapest model you can possibly find, you’re increasing the risks rather than decreasing. The reason is pretty simple – having a false sense of security is just as if not more dangerous than outright not having enough protection. When choosing the right model for your home, the last thing you should think about is the price. This does not mean that all expensive windows are worth installing, but avoiding cheap ones is undoubtedly a good rule of thumb for inexperienced buyers.
Energy Efficiency
During the summer, impact windows will reduce the solar heat gain, meaning they will contain the heat inside your home, thus keeping your house warm during colder nights. This might not seem like a game-breaking advantage, but once you calculate the amount of energy saved throughout the years, it’s certainly an excellent investment in the long run.
When you decide to install new hurricane windows, we strongly recommend you to pay special attention to energy efficiency as it will significantly lower your expenses, including your electric bills. On top of that, saving energy makes you a green person who’s aware of the adverse effects of having a large carbon footprint.
Make Sure They Meet the Building Codes
Installing a couple of new windows seems like a pretty straightforward endeavor, right? While it’s relatively simple in theory, there are numerous obstacles you’ll have to face during this process. One of those obstacles is adherence to building codes. Both state and federal governments have sets of building codes that have to be met when it comes to glass windows. If you would like to be on the right side of the law, you will have to pay attention to these codes.
In case you live in Florida, make sure you know everything there is about local building codes, especially when it comes to protection against hurricanes and other storms. Alternatively, you could buy your windows from a reputable company that has been in the industry for a while and is known as a seller of windows that meet the local building codes.
Choosing the Right Frame
This is yet another decision you’ll have to make, and it isn’t as easy as it may sound. Your windows’ quality and life period depend on the type of material you choose for the frame. The three main options are:
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Aluminum
Wood is a natural material with great insulating properties. It’s also a recyclable material and highly efficient. However, wood tends to decay over time and is known as a high-maintenance material. If you’re willing to provide some extra care to your windows, wood would be an excellent choice.
Vinyl is excellent when it comes to energy efficiency and price, but it’s not a recyclable material. It’s also a great material for noise reduction.
Aluminum is a lightweight, strong, and low-maintenance material. It’s also recyclable and, arguably, the most aesthetically pleasing of the three. It’s a great insulator, and it’s an excellent money saver as far as bills go.
It’s important to point out that none of these materials are significantly better than the other; it all comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Aluminum is a relatively safe choice, so if you’re unsure which one to choose, we recommend going with aluminum.
What Can We Do?
At Cricket Pavers, we strive to provide the best service to our customers by offering competitive prices and teams of people who have been in the industry for a while and know precisely how to handle urgent projects.
If you’re looking to hire a team of people to protect your home from the devastating force of hurricanes, call us, and we will be more than happy to handle the situation professionally and with great attention to detail.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment and let us know! Additionally, if you would like to share your personal experience with us, let us know by leaving a comment. For more information about our services and methods to protect your home, please read some of our other articles!
