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Choosing Gorgeous Windows


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Choosing Gorgeous Windows

Your house says a lot about you, which is why your choice of windows is so important. In addition to letting light into your home, windows also add a touch of shine to your home's exterior. Unfortunately, if those windows are closed off, dirty, or contain broken windowpanes, they might be sending the wrong message to visitors and potential home buyers. This blog is all about upgrading your current windows with brand new versions. Check out these articles to learn how to choose gorgeous panes that will meld with your existing home exterior. You might be able to transform your house simply by changing your windows.

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Impact Window Basics

When safety and security are a concern, impact-resistant windows can be the answer you are looking for. This is especially true if you live in an area with security concerns or a region prone to storms.

Benefits

If you live in an area where impacts are a real concern, such as in a hurricane or tornado-prone zone, the main benefit is ease. You won't have to rush to put up plywood, nor will you need to be home to operate the hurricane shutters in the event of a storm. You can be assured that your home is protected, no matter where you are when bad weather hits.

There are also benefits when it comes to appearance and visibility, which applies whether you are installing the windows for storm safety or home security. There will be no unsightly shutters, grates, or similar devices next to the windows. Further, you can still see out of the windows while still enjoying the increased safety and security. Impact windows do not really look any different than standard windows to the untrained eye.

Options

There are two main options when it comes to impact windows. The first is are layered windows, which consist of two layers of impact-resistant tempered glass, with several layers of polyvinyl butyral sealed between. This type of glass can stop small high-speed projectiles but are best suited for security uses, as it may not be able to resist damage from larger projectiles as one may experience during a hurricane or tornado.

The second option is glass-clad polycarbonate windows. They are very similar to the layered windows above, but the polycarbonate provides better resistance to larger projectiles compared to the polyvinyl butyral layers. These windows also typically feature beefed-up frames that will further provide protection from hurricane-force winds and projectiles.

Installation

Although there are shatter-resistant and impact-resistant films available, it isn't always advisable to use these retrofitting options. At most, film retrofitting is only suitable for moderate security concerns or for windows where breakage isn't likely to cause major damages or injury.

The best option is to fully upgrade to all new impact-resistant windows. This includes upgrading the frames at the same time as the window glass itself. When it comes to impact-resistant windows, the weak link is often old frames that can be blown or kicked in, thus negating any benefits from the glass's resiliency. If you upgrade both windows and glass, you can be assured of the best protection.

An impact window supplier can answer any more questions you may have.