Get a Free Quote – Call Us Today: (888) 354-8304
Area residents are well-versed in the importance of eliminating dead tree branches, clearing gutters, and securing outdoor furniture. Local officials also encourage and often require hurricane-impact windows to reduce the risk of property damage and personal injury. We’ll explain the significance of hurricane impact windows, explore several lesser-known benefits, and touch on the advantages of professional installation from the providers of “Miami’s Best Hurricane Impact Windows” – Elite Impact Glass.
An Introduction to Hurricane Impact Windows
Hurricane impact glass, also known as hurricane glass and impact glass, utilizes two processes developed to increase strength and safety: tempering and lamination. Tempered glass, also called safety glass, is heated to 1,292 degrees Fahrenheit and then rapidly cooled to increase its surface tension. Instead of breaking into sharp shards, tempered glass windows splinter into small, rounded pieces. It’s the type of glass commonly used to make tabletops, shower doors, and automobile windows.
Laminated glass is made by binding two or more layers of glass to a flexible interlay made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Heat and pressure are used to form a single cohesive sheet. The bonded inner layer increases the amount of force a window can withstand while also holding any broken pieces together. The most resilient hurricane impact windows combine tempered and laminated glass into rigorously tested double and triple-pane units.
Exploring the Benefits of Installing Hurricane Impact Windows
After hurricane impact windows undergo rigorous projectile testing, they’re also subjected to multiple cycles of positive and negative pressure common to extreme weather events. Although hurricane glass needs to remain intact during projectile testing, the windows must also withstand intense cyclic wind pressure without any degree of failure – with good reason.
Tightly sealed, solid structures are more resistant to storm damage. Once a window (or door) is breached, the wind entering a home can create enough pressure to topple interior walls and lift the roof from its moorings. Although protection and safety are the primary focus of hurricane impact windows, British Virgin Island homeowners also enjoy the perks of several other benefits.
Enhanced Security
The exceptional strength of hurricane impact glass provides protection against blunt force home entry with a hammer or crowbar. In areas where opportunistic crimes might increase during a power outage or temporary evacuation, installing impact-resistant hurricane windows helps provide peace of mind.
Energy Efficiency
Homes protected by expertly constructed hurricane impact windows also cost less to keep comfortable. Their durable interlayer enhances their insulating properties while also reducing heat transfer. When less heat enters and less cool air escapes, air conditioning units don’t have to work as hard.
UV Protection
Impact glass windows block up to 99% of the sun’s UV rays. That’s a significant benefit for nearly anyone adverse to wearing sunscreen indoors or concerned about the long-term effects on their home décor. Sunlight fades fabrics and flooring and can cause white kitchen appliances to turn yellow over time.
Noise Reduction
Hurricane-impact glass windows also provide an effective barrier against noises that could disrupt the inner tranquility of British Virgin Island homes. Their layered architecture helps create a peaceful environment by absorbing sound waves created by traffic, barking dogs, lawnmowers, and more.
Why British Virgin Islanders Choose Professionally Installed Elite Impact Glass Windows
The type of glass used to protect British Virgin Islander homes from hurricane damage is just one of several components to consider before selecting a supplier. Whether you’re constructing a new home or replacing the windows of a property you’ve owned for decades, your windows are only as good as their weakest components. Elite Impact windows and doors are crafted with commercial-grade aluminum, feature durable, high-quality hardware, and are available in an impressive range of shapes and styles.
Although our company is based in Miami, British Virgin Islanders appreciate our ability to provide the same attention to detail we’re known for in Florida. Our customer-centric team is committed to providing timely deliveries to the BVI and surrounding regions in the Caribbean, we pack and crate every order to ensure our impact-resistant windows arrive in pristine condition, and our installation experts test every installed unit before declaring their work complete.
Image source: Alina’s Photo via Shutterstock
Contact Us Today for Your British Virgin Island Window Needs
Elite Impact Glass offers an impressive selection of hurricane-impact windows and impact doors for residential properties. We supply and install products compliant with the strictest codes in the USA and serve all of South Florida and the Caribbean. For more information about purchasing, shipping, and installing our premium impact-resistant windows in the British Virgin Islands, call (888) 354-8304 or submit a contact form.