The most important difference between hurricane windows and impact windows is depth. Both make use of safety glass technology by layering glass panes with clear plastic laminate. Both provide flexibility and some amount of impact resistance. Hurricane windows offer more flex, while impact windows are more resistant to solid objects. Hurricane windows are standard width with one or two layers of laminate, while impact windows are especially thick and heaavy, requiring stronger window frames for installation. Finally, hurricane windows are considerably more affordable to both purchase and install, while impact windows offer a higher degree of home protection.
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Key features of impact windows that enable them to withstand Category 5 conditions:
- Multiple layers of glass are bonded together with a durable plastic interlayer. This prevents the glass from shattering when impacted by debris, instead causing it to crack but remain intact.
- Impact windows are designed to withstand high wind loads and are typically rated for design pressures of 50 or higher, which corresponds to Category 5 hurricane winds.
- Impact windows are equipped with corrosion-resistant hardware to ensure long-term durability and resistance to damage from saltwater and other corrosive elements.
- Heavy-duty frames are designed to withstand the pressure and impact forces of a hurricane, preventing bowing or warping.
- Proper installation is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of impact windows. Installation professionals ensure that the windows are securely anchored and sealed to prevent water intrusion and leaks.
Impact windows are a development of impact-resistant glass, a child of safety glass technology. While hurricane windows tend to use one or two layers of laminate PVB, impact windows feature a thicker overall pane using multiple layers of glass and laminate to make the windows more durable. Impact windows are heavier, less flexible, and thicker than hurricane windows, but they can also withstand a windblown lawn chair.