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The Impact of Hurricane Impact Windows (part 2 of 2)

Posted Wed, 02/24/2010 - 17:55 by arttofimpactwindows

For the first half of this post, see The Impact of Hurricane Impact Windows - part I here in The Home Improvement Blog or visit the Florida Contractor's Digest

INSTALLATION
For the window to withstand hurricane conditions, something similar to the 9,000 cycles of positive and negative air pressure they undergo in impact testing, the installation is every bit as important as the quality of the window. Dave Olmstead, spokesman for PGT Industries in Venice, Florida, agrees that no matter how strong a window is the attachment to the building structure is critical. Olmstead says a window that is 53-inches by 76-inches would have 28 square feet of exposure, and with a wind speed of 146 mph from a category 4 hurricane would result in a load on the window equivalent to 1,958 pounds of pressure. For the window to perform correctly, the load has to be transferred to the building itself, which is done by using suitable anchors to transfer the load from the window or door frame to the rough opening without causing failure. Therefore, the installer needs to be knowledgeable in how to use this system and its different anchoring mechanisms.

The Impact of IMPACT WINDOWS & DOORS (part 1 of 2)

Posted Sun, 08/02/2009 - 20:29 by arttofimpactwindows

1992 changed everything. That was the year Hurricane Andrew blew through South Florida and wreaked havoc to the tune of $25 billion. Building officials blamed much of the destruction on wind pressurizing the homes, then blowing off the roofs and collapsing walls. To reduce the potential of future damage resulting from big blows, the code was changed to fortify buildings against wind penetration, thus the advent of impact resistant window.

THE CODE
The code basically breaks down the method to meet the higher window load requirements in two ways: the window itself, and its installation. It says that the impact resistant window must be able to withstand the “large missile impact” of a 9 pound 2x4 hitting the window at a speed of 34 miles per hour without penetrating the. The glass may break, but the opening must not be penetrated. Then, the windows and doors also have to withstand 9,000 cycles of positive and negative air pressure, such that a real hurricane could pull a regular windows right out of its frame.

THE WINDOW
To meet the penetration restriction, window manufacturer’s all use a similar type of impact window glass that’s much like a heavy duty car window. Florida’s Best Windows and Doors manufacturing process is basically the same as it is with most window manufacturer’s: their design consists of a clear plastic interlayer sandwiched between two panes of glass. Two types of interlayer are used: Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and SentryGlas Plus (SGP). The SGP is more rigid and less likely to tear than PVB. For that reason, some manufacturers use it in their larger windows, or those windows designed for the highest wind zones.

Why Replace Your Windows and Doors?

Posted Mon, 06/29/2009 - 14:32 by arttofimpactwindows

You walk or look through them every single day. But how often do you really think about the impact your home''s doors and windows have on its value, beauty and livability? Home improvement experts agree that updating your windows and doors can help you save on energy bills, improve the look and infrastructure of your home and add long-lasting value.

"One of the most valuable investments you can make in your home is window and door replacement," says Lou "Mr. Fix It" Manfredini, home improvement editor for the Today Show and "USA Today Weekend Magazine."

Replacing your windows can mean making many decisions: Is it time to replace? And if so, how do you go about choosing the best replacement windows?

"There are four main reasons why a homeowner might need to replace windows or doors: performance, energy efficiency, maintenance and aesthetics," Manfredini says. To receive information on window and door replacement in Florida, visit http://www.arttofimpactwindows.com

Performance

This is the most compelling reason to change a door or window, Manfredini says. On top of testing your patience, windows and doors that stick aren''t giving you the optimum benefit in terms of convenience and efficiency. Performance is also tied to safety-if doors are windows are not opening properly they can be a safety hazard.

Energy Efficiency

Check for drafts around doors and windows by moving a lit candle slowly around the edges. If the flame flickers, you have a draft -- one of the biggest drains on the energy efficiency of your home. Drafts add up to real dollars on your heating and cooling bills, so this is, for many people, the impetus to replace their windows or doors.

Maintenance

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