Hurricane Windows

Do You Really Need Hurricane Windows? 

For years, the best way to protect your windows was by covering them up. Storm shutters, plywood, duct tape and more have all been utilized in an effort to either prevent window damage or to minimize the impact of the window damage. More recently, however, manufacturers have developed hurricane protection windows that are not only shatter proof, but they resist breaking at all. While many people will forgo hurricane shutters altogether when they install these impact windows, states that see a lot of hurricane activity usually recommend using both to ensure complete protection. 

If you already have shutters on your home, you may be wondering if you really need hurricane windows too. The truth is that window shutters do not offer complete protection, even if they meet certain code requirements. Most are only rated for a category three storm or less. What this means is that if a major storm comes through, the shutters alone will not likely survive any debris impact. In addition, many shutters are ripped right out of the walls when the wind velocity reaches speeds of over 140 miles per hour. 

The bottom line is, if you want to protect your home from a hurricane then you need to protect your windows and doors. With hurricane windows you can add an extra layer of protection that will provide you with a feeling of safety should the worst happen and a high category hurricane comes your way. When you combine windows designed to withstand the impact of a hurricane with shutters, then you are adding another layer of protection, which in turn adds to your safety. Don't assume that your shutters are enough to protect you when a hurricane hits, investigate your options and see if hurricane windows will work for you.