Florida residents often invest in impact windows and doors to protect their homes from severe weather and hurricanes. But these products offer more than just storm protection.
They also increase security and reduce outside noise. Plus, they help homeowners save money on energy bills. Learn more about the top 5 reasons you should install impact windows and doors in your Florida home.
Storm Protection
Florida residents have long put storm preparation high on the priority list, but putting up and taking down shutters every hurricane season can be frustrating. Thankfully, impact-resistant windows offer a permanent solution that protects against flying debris and hurricane-force winds.
A layer of polyvinyl butyral between two panes of glass prevents windows from shattering in the event of an impact. They also have sturdier frames, making it difficult for burglars to break through.
Additionally, the interlayer blocks UV rays from your home, which can damage carpeting, furniture, artwork and other valuables. This feature alone could save you a bundle on your home insurance premium. In addition to protecting your home, this product reduces condensation and makes breathing easier in hot or humid Florida weather.
Increased Security
Although there are several ways for burglars to enter your house, breaking a window or door is one of the most frequent. Fortunately, impact windows strengthen the defense, making it more challenging for burglars to gain in.
Strong gusts and flying debris from powerful storms won’t damage them. Florida windows and doors provide an effective barrier between high outdoor pressures during a hurricane and the internal lower home pressures, reducing the risk of damage to your house and possible injuries.
Additionally, they may lessen outside noise and assist in maintaining your house at a more pleasant temperature all year by removing hot and cold zones. This leads to cost savings on your energy bills and can even qualify you for insurance discounts.
Reduced Noise
One of the most obvious benefits of impact windows and doors is protection against hurricanes and other severe weather conditions. They create a barrier between high outdoor pressures created by storms and internal lower pressure in your home, which protects against property damage and injury.
In addition to protecting against wind and debris, the polyvinyl butyral interlayer of impact glass also helps reduce outside noises. This provides a quieter home environment free from distractions such as lawnmowers, airplanes, and traffic.
Impact products have such a high sound reduction rating that they are used in government-sponsored sound reduction programs. Not only does this provide a relaxing home environment, but it can also help alleviate the stress of living in a busy city or neighborhood.
Increased Resale Value
Choosing impact glass prevents debris from severe storms and hurricane-force winds from tearing through your home or causing serious property damage and injury. In addition, this type of glass keeps intruders from breaking windows, which is why many insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner policies when installed impact products.
These doors and windows have multiple layers of tempered glass, laminated or plexiglass, making breaking or penetrating difficult. They are also designed to resist sleet, hail and flying projectiles.
Because of the added security benefits and energy efficiency offered by these windows, they can increase the resale value of your home. It would help if you always looked for windows and doors with a Florida Product Approval, which indicates they have been tested and meet state requirements involving strength, stability and other criteria.
Increased Home Value
The thick glass and sturdy framing materials of impact products make it difficult for burglars to break into your home. This benefit is especially important in Florida, where an average burglary occurs every 5 seconds.
In addition to protecting your family from burglary, impact windows help protect your furniture and other items from fading due to exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. This feature is a major selling point for buyers, as many homeowners would like to avoid the cost of buying new furniture, carpeting or wallpaper.
Energy efficiency is another benefit that impacts windows offers. They help to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in winter, which helps to lower your utility bills. Also, impact windows block 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, which protects your skin and furnishings.
