Should I Invest In Hurricane Windows?
Living in Florida offers plenty of benefits. But you also have to deal with the threat of hurricanes from June through December every year. With some storms blasting through the state with 200 mph winds, ensuring your home in Martin County is protected is essential.
One of the most important home features to think about is your windows. Investing in hurricane windows can provide the best protection against hurricane-force winds, and the associated debris crashing into the windows. We’ve explored some of the benefits to help you decide whether hurricane windows are right for you.
Why Boarding Windows Before A Hurricane Isn’t Always Effective
Some Florida residents simply choose to board their windows before a hurricane rather than opting for impact replacement windows. While this strategy may be effective for some storms, there is no Florida product approval or testing for wood. Storm protection is not just about wind borne debris. The high wind of hurricanes creates positive vs negative air pressure. Besides the fact that nails or a few bolts in wood will not stand against high wind, plywood tightly fastened to an opening does not relieve hurricane pressure. All types of engineered hurricane shutters are vented, meaning air can pass in and out of them reducing the level of positive negative air pressure that hurricanes deliver. The wood boarding simply won’t hold up during a strong storm. If you must use plywood because it is, “better than nothing” It stands to reason to drill some holes in it to relieve pressure but who knows There is a good chance the wood shutters will wind up being wind borne debris that otherwise would not have been there.
Hurricane Windows Can Provide The Ultimate Protection And Peace Of Mind
If you need a window replacement in Martin County, it’s worth it to consider hurricane resistant windows. Hurricane windows are installed into your home’s structure to provide the ultimate strength during strong storms. An impact window can prevent penetration when debris hits it, which will go a long way in protecting your home. The last thing you want to worry about during a hurricane is how your windows will hold up, and when you have hurricane windows installed, you can have more peace of mind.
Other Benefits Of Hurricane Windows
Another great thing about hurricane windows is they offer plenty of benefits even when a hurricane isn’t hitting Florida. They can be designed to block UV rays and are low air infiltration preventing your air conditioning from going out the windows, lowering cooling and heating bills.
Insulated hurricane windows also reduce outside noise pollution so you can enjoy peace and quiet inside your home. And the clear and stylish appearance of these windows can enhance the curb appeal of your home.
At db Home Improvements, we recommend hurricane windows for anyone who lives in Martin County, Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Sewalls Point, Jupiter Island, and Saint Lucie. To learn more about hurricane windows and to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact us at any time.
A: Positive pressure occurs when hurricane winds strike the exterior face of your home directly, violently pushing against the window glass and structural framing. Negative pressure happens as the storm winds rush over and around your roofline, creating a powerful vacuum effect on the opposite sides of the house that aggressively pulls your windows and doors outward. Certified impact windows are structurally anchored to withstand both extreme pushing and pulling forces simultaneously.
A: When a standard window is shattered by windborne debris, high-velocity storm winds instantly blast inside the home. This creates a massive, sudden buildup of internal positive pressure. As this indoor air forces its way up against your ceilings while external negative wind forces pull up on the outside of your roof at the exact same time, it creates a scissor-like lifting effect that can rip the entire roof structure off your wall plates.
A: Yes, absolutely. To qualify for maximum wind mitigation premium discounts in Florida, 100% of your home’s structural openings—including all windows, entry doors, sliding glass doors, and garage doors—must feature verified impact-resistant products or certified shutters. Because db Home Improvements installs fully code-approved, certified impact window systems, we provide the official documentation required by Florida home insurance carriers to lower your annual premiums.
