The main difference between hurricane windows and standard windows is the type of glass that is used. Standard glass for windows is made of what is called float glass. When it breaks, it shatters and pieces called shards break off. This can be very dangerous because the shards are very sharp and can pierce people and pets.
Hurricane windows are made with two or more panes of glass that are bonded together. In addition, they have a resin membrane between them. When this type of glass is broken, the shattered pieces stick to the film and the frame of the window stays intact. This helps to provide safety from both the broken glass and allows you to cover it without any damage to the frame. However, you need to know if you have hurricane windows or not. Here are some ways to find out.
Look for Labels
Standard windows are tempered glass and they will often have a small label that is etched into the corner. This will help you know who the manufacturer of the window is. If you have impact-resistant hurricane windows, you may not find a mark of this kind. They do have a temporary label but if the windows are already installed, the label may have been removed.
If you are able to find the temporary label, it should tell you how thick the window is, the manufacturer, where it was made, and when it was made. It should also tell you whether or not the window is a hurricane window. If you do not have the label, don’t worry because there are a few other ways to tell if you have hurricane windows or not.
Look for More Than One Reflection
When you hold an item up to a standard window, you will only see one reflection. However, with hurricane windows, you will see two or more reflections, depending on how many panes of glass are bound together. The number of reflections will be equal to the number of panes of glass, which will be two or more.
When hurricane windows are made, more than one pane of glass is put together with a resin between them. Hold an item up to the window and if you see it reflected twice or more, you have a hurricane window.
Call a Professional Window Installer
If you have tried the above methods and you still don’t know whether your windows are hurricane glass, you can call a professional window installer for help. They have years of experience in handling all kinds of windows; they can often look at the glass and tell you right away.
It is important to know whether you have hurricane impact windows, especially if you live in an area that has a higher chance of experiencing a hurricane. You will either need to have hurricane shutters, plywood to board the windows, or hurricane-impact windows so that your home is safe.
Having hurricane windows doesn’t mean that your windows are unable to break but it gives you protection because the outside pane will fracture while the interior of your home will be safe. Strong winds can tear down trees and send objects flying at your windows. You can be in danger if your windows are unprotected. Hurricane windows, or impact windows, are designed to make sure that you and your home are safe.
If you want to know whether you have hurricane windows, start by looking for a label. You might find one that tells you whether the windows are hurricane-proof or not. The next step is to hold something up to the window and look for a reflection. A hurricane window will show you two or more reflections because it has more panes of glass. If all else fails, call a professional for a consultation. This person will know by examining the window. They have a great deal of experience so you can trust them to tell you.