Storm Proof Your Home: 8 Tips on Getting the Right Hurricane Windows

 

If you live in an area that is prone to storms and hurricanes, you may be thinking about how to properly protect your home. In fact, you should be thinking about this, because nobody else will do it for you. And it is always much better to be safe than to be sorry, which is why storm proofing is a process that you shouldn’t postpone. Quite on the contrary, you should learn more about how to do it as soon as possible.

 

In case you’ve already done some research on how to do this, there is absolutely no doubt that you’ve come across those products known as hurricane windows. And, you most probably already know that windows are one of the most vulnerable spots in your home, if not properly protected, and that you need to think of a way to reinforce them and thus make them less susceptible to storm damage. That’s why hurricane windows probably started sounding quite appealing to you.

 

Made to withstand strong winds, heavy rains, as well as flying debris, these products, also called impact-windows, are sure to be the perfect addition to your home in your effort to storm proof it. But they also offer additional benefits, such as soundproofing, improved insulation, enhanced overall security, as well as energy efficiency. So, there are plenty of reasons why you should think about having them installed in your home.

 

If you’ve already decided to have these installed at home, you now have another important question on your mind. In the simplest words possible, you are wondering how you can actually get the right hurricane windows in your area. And, well, that is the topic we are going to cover below, hoping to help you make the right choices and be happy with the end results. Without any more ado, thus, let us share the tips you need.

 

 

1. Assess the Impact Ratings

It is easy enough for you to go online, type in the keywords into your browser, and then start checking out various impact windows. It is also easy enough for you to place an order right away and be done with it, but that is not exactly the right move. On the contrary, you need to be much more careful than that.

 

Among other things, you need to assess the actual impact ratings when checking out the different windows you’re thinking of buying. They are rated based on their ability to withstand the harsh weather, that is, more precisely, the wind pressure and the impact of the flying debris. So, what you want to do is choose those products that are well-rated, and that will, therefore, offer the best protection.

 

2. Understand the Building Codes in Your Area

Naturally, you will need to keep the local building codes in mind as well before making any purchases whatsoever. This is because those building codes, especially in hurricane prone areas, often require the windows to meet certain specific impact standards, which is what we were talking about above, while discussing the importance of ratings. The point is, then, that you need to understand those codes in order to be able to choose the products that have the right ratings.

 

 

3. Check Out Different Frame Materials

There are different frame materials that manufacturers use when creating these products. And they affect not only the durability, but also the aesthetic appeal, as well as the maintenance requirements. It is your task, therefore, to check out the different materials, such as vinyl, wood, aluminum, and fiberglass, understand the benefits of all of them, and then ultimately decide which solution could be best for you specifically.

 

4. Choose the Perfect Glass

As you may have guessed it already, the type of glass you’ll choose will also have a huge impact on the actual performance of the windows. Laminated glass is, of course, essential for impact resistance, as it consists of multiple layers and thus prevents shattering. Apart from that, you could go for tempered glass, which is not as resistant as the first solution, but is still more resistant than the standard windows, so it could be a good option for certain areas, depending on the expected weather and hurricane proneness, as well as on those building codes. Anyway, if you’re not quite sure how to choose the right glass, you should always discuss this with professionals.

 

 

5. Take Proper Measurements

Taking proper measurements is, naturally, an essential part of getting the perfect impact windows and thus storm proofing your home. After all, you don’t want to wind up buying products that won’t fit. And, once again, if you’re not sure how to exactly do this correctly, don’t hesitate to get professionals to do it for you.

 

6. Choose the Right Suppliers & Installers

Perhaps the most significant thing to do here is choose the right suppliers and the right installers of these products. When you, for example, start checking out the Paradise Exteriors website, or the website of any other supplier, what you should do is take time to check out the quality of their products, as well as their actual experience on this market. Furthermore, you should take time to read some reviews and thus determine the reputation of the suppliers you’re considering, as that will also help you make the right choice.

 

7. Check for Warranties

Of course, it should also go without saying that you have to check for warranties. This is a big investment. So, you want to get warranties both on the actual products and on the installation process.

 

8. Compare the Prices

Finally, you will have the task of comparing the prices offered by different suppliers and installers. The goal here is for you to find and get the best value for your money. What this means is that you should keep the prices in mind and compare them, but not ignore the quality in the process. For the perfect storm proofing, you’ll have to choose the perfect quality impact windows, and the good news is that you’ll be able to do it all for a reasonable price if you take the time to carefully choose suppliers.