Hurricane season has officially arrived, and if you live in a high-risk hurricane zone, now is a great time to consider upgrading your windows to protect your family and your home. Ultimately, installing new Hurricane Windows provides increased protection against the high levels of wind, sheets of rain, and possible flying debris that a hurricane can bring.  Not only that, but they can even contribute to lower energy bills and home insurance premiums along the way.

What Are Hurricane Windows?

In the event of a severe storm, windows are something that a homeowner never wants to break. When one shatters, the glass can spray inward from the point of impact, sending glass flying into your home. Hurricane windows and Impact windows are windows designed to withstand force, making them far less likely to shatter.

Furthermore, Impact Windows prevent outside elements from entering your home, so when a window breaks during a hurricane, not only will glass scatter inwards, but the wind, rain, and flying debris can follow suit. This leaves your clothes, electronics, wood, jewelry, bedding, and glass objects exposed to the elements, potentially leading to widespread, structural damage within the home.

While there are different types of impact windows, the main variations come in the forms of style, size, and degree of protection. At their core, Impact Windows combine a heavy-duty frame with impact-resistant laminated glass and silicone glazing. 

There are a number of standard tests that are used to determine the level of effectiveness and protection. For example, SoftLite’s Barcelona impact windows passed every durability test, including:

• Large Missile Impact Level “D” test: This requires a window to withstand sustained winds of 140 mph, and gusts of up to 212 mph.
• HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone) certification: These tests typically involve both large and small missile testing and tell you how effective your windows are at withstanding impact from flying objects.

How Much Do Impact Windows Cost?

A relatively consistent average cost for new Hurricane Windows is typically between $40 and $60 per square foot of glass. However, how much impact windows cost can change based on factors such as:

• The frame type (single-hung, double-hung, etc.)
• Materials
• Installation crew’s rates
• Thickness of the glass
• Window size
• Frame material (vinyl, steel, wood)

What is the Installation Timeline?

The installation timeline for new Hurricane Windows typically depends on the chosen installation crew. A more experienced and trained window installer, like those in SoftLite’s dealer network, can have old windows swapped out and new Hurricane Windows installed securely in about 1 hour each. An average home has about 14 windows, which will only take an installation team a little over a day, providing an ideal turnaround time for a homeowner.

However, turnaround time isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a dealer to sell and install your new windows. It’s important that a homeowner uses an experienced dealer and installation crew to provide a tight, secure seal, as poorly installed windows can fail to protect a home during a hurricane, letting water, wind, and outside debris into the home. Not only can this damage belongings, but it can also create a potentially hazardous situation for homeowners.

Installing Impact Windows

The process of purchasing and installing new Impact Windows is straightforward. If you think Impact Windows may be the route to go for protecting your home during this hurricane season, let’s take a look at the overall window installation process:

1. A dealer makes an assessment of your existing windows, taking precise, detailed notes and measurements.
2. After completing this detailed examination, a dealer will then provide the homeowner with product options and variations available to them, making sure to take into account their feedback and design preferences.
3. After reviewing the available Hurricane Window options to the homeowner, the homeowner is then provided with a quote for the total project costs.
4. Once purchased, installation is scheduled, and the installation team then comes and installs the new windows. As previously mentioned, this installation timeline will only take about 1-2 days.

Not only does hiring a professional and experienced installation team make this process painless for a homeowner, but it ensures that it is done correctly the first time, potentially saving you money down the line.

Benefits of New Impact Windows

The benefits of installing new impact windows include:

• ROI from lower energy bills – The multi-panel glass construction of an impact window ultimately reduces the amount of solar heat that can enter your home, which can ultimately translate into reduced energy bills and less reliance on air conditioning.
• Reduced home insurance premium rates – Home insurance companies determine what rate to charge a homeowner based on potential liability and the likelihood of damages. A home that installs high-grade impact windows reduces the risk of property damage, which in turn can lower insurance costs.
• Increased home security – Impact windows are heavier, more secure, and far more difficult to break, reducing the likelihood of burglary.
• Resale value – Potential buyers respond positively to new, sturdy windows and the concept of increased home security.
• Noise reduction – Impact Windows are proven to substantially reduce noise pollution, providing a quieter, peaceful home.

Contact Us Today to Protect Your Home

The benefits of installing impact windows include reduced insurance deductibles, energy cost savings, increased resale value, enhanced security, and incalculable peace of mind. SoftLite knows that; which is why we offer a wide variety of windows that exceed industry standards. Since 1934, homeowners have relied on SoftLite’s ability to manufacture the most reliable, durable, and high-performing windows in the industry. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of installing our windows, contact a dealer near you.