What Hurricane Proof Windows Can Do

What Hurricane Proof Windows Can Do


 

No one can truly control or prevent the weather and its manifestations, and “nature’s fury” will always be something to contend with. For much of the east coast, including the state of Florida, this means finding new ways to endure hurricanes and tropical storms to protect property and human life alike. Levees are one thing, but large buildings such as condos, apartments, and hotels will need their own countermeasures against the strong winds, rain, and wind-blown debris of a typical hurricane and similar storms. Hurricane impact doors and hurricane glass doors, for example, are good materials for Florida contractors to install in buildings, and choosing hurricane proof windows is something that any large building manager may consider. Overall, what to look for in hurricane proof windows like these? They offer glaze, vinyl frames, and more to resist storms and their fury, and a concerned building manager may look for “what to look for in hurricane proof windows” online for more information. What is there to know about hurricanes, and what to look for in hurricane proof windows?

On Hurricanes and Their Power

These vast cyclones form over the open ocean and tend to move toward land, and this often means the American east coast and the Caribbean. Modern storm trackers work hard to keep record of when and where storm strike, and the amount of power that they have. American storm trackers and records have logged plenty of statistics on North American storms, and they found that in the 20th century, some 158 different hurricanes struck the United States in total. Florida alone received more than any other state, with a total of 57, and Texas coming in second with 26 along its coastline. These hurricanes, even the smaller ones, contain a great deal of power, and a single hurricane may whip up millions of miles of air and dump an impressive 2.4 trillion gallons of rain in a single day. Hurricane Andrew, back in 1992, proved that hurricanes are also capable of producing tornadoes during their lifetime, and Andrew in particular created a total of 62 different tornadoes. These tornadoes may form in a hurricane within days after the hurricane arrives on land.

Some have argued that hurricanes are becoming even more powerful and frequent in the 2010s, and hurricane Irma may support that claim. This storm stuck in 2017 and stands as the single most powerful Atlantic hurricane on record, boasting 185 MPH winds for 37 hours straight and a total of seven trillion watts of energy. In that same year, ten different storms in a row formed into hurricanes, a natural feat that hasn’t been seen since 1983 (over a century earlier). And while hurricanes can’t be prevented, construction methods may be developed to help buildings resist their great power and save both lives and property. In short, what to look for in hurricane proof windows?

Windows and Doors For Hurricanes

In any building, some of the most vulnerable points may be the windows and doors, which are openings to that building. This is true for larger buildings as well, such as apartments, hotels, and office buildings and skyscrapers. Condos, too, may be found in Florida and they need protection against hurricanes’ power as well. During a storm, strong winds and wind-blown debris may shatter windows and sliding glass doors, allowing these wind and rain to get inside and threaten life and property alike. Broken glass only adds to the hazard, and therefore, no ordinary windows or doors may suffice for buildings that stand in a hurricane’s path.

Contractors across Florida may be hired to install new windows and doors in a building that was recently built, or one that is being rebuilt after a hurricane has already struck. These windows will have tough frames, as will the sliding glass doors, and glaze on all this glass allows it all to survive strong winds and debris. In particular, windows and doors with an impact-resistant glaze system of +105/-130 can resist hurricane winds at 100 MPH and stronger. They may also resist wind-blown debris, and some items may simply bounce off those windows or doors without shattering them. This can help save human life in a storm and reduce need for expensive repairs after a hurricane has struck.