Why Regular Windows and Doors Are Not Enough to Protect Your Home

As Floridians, we are well aware of the threat our homes face each year from major storms and hurricanes.  But, when it comes to protecting our homes from storm damage, regular windows and doors are just not up to the task, which is why many homeowners scramble at the last minute to put up boards—or hope in vain that the storm shifts course. Although sufficient for good-weather days, regular windows and doors are not designed to withstand the extreme conditions that high-impact windows and doors are specifically engineered to handle.

Regular windows and doors:

• Lack durability. They are typically made from wood or vinyl, which can be quite vulnerable to impacts and wear and tear.  Over time, these materials can deteriorate, crack, or warp, which can leave your home further exposed to the elements and compromise its resistance to storms.  High-impact windows and doors, by contrast, are designed to be exceptionally durable, with heavy-duty frames and laminated glass that hold up over time and withstand strikes from objects and damaging rays from the sun.
• Offer inadequate protection against high winds. Extreme wind is responsible for much of the damage caused during major storms and hurricanes.  Regular windows and doors are particularly vulnerable to this type of damage, as they can easily shatter or be blown in by the intense shifts in wind speed and direction.  High-impact windows and doors, however, can stand up to even the strongest gusts and volatile shifts in wind pressure.
• Provide almost no protection against flying debris. It’s not just the wind that causes damage during a storm: it’s also flying debris, such as tree branches, rocks, or other objects moving through the air at high speeds.  Regular windows can easily shatter and break if hit by such projectiles.  Once broken, air pressure and wind will enter the home and begin causing severe structural damage—and risk to life.  On the other hand, high-impact windows and doors use strong laminated glass designed to absorb impacts and prevent further deterioration of the dwelling.
• Increase risk of injury and bodily harm. Besides contributing to property damage, regular windows and doors can also pose a severe risk of injury to people and pets during a major storm.  If they were to shatter or break, for example, they can send dangerous shards of glass flying through the air—or all over the floor—which can injure anyone nearby.  High-impact windows and doors are specifically designed to prevent this type of shattering, so even if they do suffer a major impact, they won’t send high-speed jagged glass into the home’s interior.

At the end of the day, if you find yourself in the path of a major storm, you cannot count on normal windows and doors to protect your home or to keep you and your family safe.  Worse yet, if you can’t find boards or can’t put them up in time, the risk posed to your home and family could be drastic.  This is exactly why more Florida homeowners are turning to high-impact windows and doors: because they are engineered to provide superior protection against extreme wind and flying debris.  Replacing your regular windows and doors with high-impact versions is simply the best way to keep your home and family safe during any severe weather event.