May 4 2006
If you live in a coastal region, chances are that protecting your home against the next hurricane is on your mind. With a variety of options, it can be difficult for homeowners to know exactly what is the most effective strategy for ensuring their home will be standing after the storm.
One thing that experts agree upon is that homeowners need to start by securing their windows to protect the overall structure, particularly the roof. Roof loss typically occurs when pressure builds in the interior of the home once the windows are blown out. There are a variety of ways to protect your windows to avoid roof loss, but more and more consumers are looking to impact resistant windows to put the odds in their favor, according to Bob Maceda, President and CEO of Stanek Windows.
"There is a lot of debate about the best way to protect windows against a hurricane," says Maceda. "The bottom line is that impact resistant windows offer a permanent, no-hassle solution. This is particularly important to vacation homeowners who may not be in the area when a hurricane hits. If you aren't there to put up plywood or secure hurricane shutters, your home is at risk."
Plywood is often used to protect windows, but it does not meet most building code standards and can be difficult to install correctly. Without proper installation, wind will get under the plywood and rip it from the house, leaving windows exposed. There's also the problem of timing. If a homeowner is not prepared with the right type of plywood and hardware on hand, they may not be able to get their home covered in time. In many instances, plywood is sold out at hardware stores when hurricane warnings arise.
Hurricane shutters offer another alternative - there are a lot of options, some more effective than others. For example, panel shutters are inexpensive and can be removed so as not to have a permanent effect on the look of the home; however, these shutters require storage and have sharp edges that make them difficult to handle. Accordion shutters are permanently affixed to the home and don't require additional storage space, but they look out of place on many homes and are known to have components that break over time. Shutters will do the job, but they aren't without their problems.
"Many companies tout their windows as 'hurricane resistant,' but not all windows meet prescribed standards," says Maceda. "That's why it's important for consumers to make sure that the windows have been tested. It's one thing to claim that your windows withstand hurricane-force winds, it's another to have testing behind that claim."
Stanek Impact Windows have been tested again and again to stand strong against hurricane-force winds and flying debris. Testing includes firing a 9 lb. 2 x 4 directly at the glass at 50 MPH. Even under these hurricane-level wind loads, the glass will not breach. In realistic situations, homeowners can simply lock their windows and leave without worry. "Impact resistant windows offer consumers a viable way to protect their homes," says Maceda. "While this may mean spending a little more, they help to enhance the look of your home and are hassle-free. You get what you pay for - inexpensive solutions may save you a buck or two in the short term, but may not save you the cost of rebuilding in the long run."