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Homes with high-performance, impact-resistant glass can be used in hurricane-prone areas without the addition of active-protection systems such as shutters.
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By Craig A. Shutt
Not very long ago, the concept of impact-resistant glass was the realm of manufacturers of windshields and builders of correctional facilities. But after recent hurricane seasons, it's also on the minds of many homeowners—especially those in coastal areas. Can their windows withstand a hurricane? Or will the next high wind huff and puff and blow their house in? For remodelers, that concern can lead to new business: replacing older windows with wind-resistant products or selling window and skylight upgrades on regular remodeling jobs.
Many coastal states already have revised their building codes to address hurricane concerns, requiring remodelers to change their designs and upgrade the types of skylight and window products they use. The changes in local requirements result from changes included in the new versions of the major building codes now being adopted across the country. "Codes now require windows to meet higher standards for windborne debris and other impacts," explains Steve Berg, specialty products manager at Andersen Windows. (For more on those changes, see the story in the New Products area, Got Wind? Look For The Label.)
The simplest way to meet the requirements is to add shutters or wood panels that can cover the windows when extreme weather is expected. To employ these, however, someone must put them in place—and many coastal properties are vacation homes where the owner isn't always present.
Another method, says Steve, is to use laminated glass as part of an enhanced window system. Laminated glass consists of thin layers of glass permanently bonded to a plastic sheet, similar to a car's windshield. Typically, the sheet used in windows is sandwiched between two layers of glass, but multiple layers can be created. This helps hold the glass together during an impact rather than letting it explode into shrapnel-like pieces. "The codes don't mandate laminated glass," Steve says, "but it can offer more advantages, including 24/7 protection."
Some consumers mistakenly think that high-performance glass such as laminated products alone will be enough to withstand hurricane-force winds. But no such "hurricane glass" exists, explains Tom Kopec, North American architectural manager for DuPont. Instead, window manufacturers create fenestration systems that as a whole provide added protection from hurricanes. These systems combine glass, frame, seal and accessories to enhance their protection and meet code requirements. A wide range of such products are available, and they usually include laminated glass as one component of the package.
Window systems using laminated glass provide a number of advantages that appeal to homeowners, such as the ability to retain an upscale exterior appearance, Tom adds. Protective shutters can mar that look. In addition, the extra layer in laminated glass reduces sound vibrations produced by outside noise and can provide added interior protection from ultraviolet rays.
Cost and homeowner preference often determine whether laminated glass or other types of protection are selected. Removable panels offer a less expensive alternative, while upscale homeowners prefer laminated glass or decorative, high-quality shutters. Options may vary by geography, as well, based on what approaches have become most popular in a particular area.
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