| |
Q&A: Commonly Asked Questions About Boarding Up Windows
May 14, 2008 — Stopping Board Blight: Commonly Asked Questions
Q: Why are windows and doors so important in severe storms in the first place?
A: Maximum window and door strength is important in severe weather because a broken window or door can affect a home’s structural integrity and, ultimately, the safety of those inside. Positive and negative air pressure caused by a storm can cause serious damage, and if a window or door breaks, that pressure can literally destroy the entire structure.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages with boarding up windows and doors?
A: Boarding up windows and doors is an effective and relatively inexpensive temporary solution when it comes to storm protection, and it’s much better than doing nothing. However, boarded up windows can be a visual eyesore and at worst, a safety issue if they aren’t taken down right away. The job can be tough for homeowners who have physical limitations, second-story installations, or for seasonal residents who may not be able to do the installation before a storm hits. Incorrect installation also can cause damage to a home’s siding. Impact-resistant windows offer the best protection, for the simple fact that they are always installed.
Q: How do homeowners select storm resistant windows?
A: Impact-resistant windows have two layers of glass with a tough interlayer between them that is designed to hold the glass in place if it breaks. Windows and doors are rated by how resistant they are to positive and negative air pressure, wind and rain. This rating is called design pressure (DP). Dade County in Florida has the strictest codes in the nation when it comes to DP ratings. Products must have DP ratings of 50 or higher to meet Dade County codes. When it comes to selecting storm resistant windows and doors, homeowners that want maximum protection should select products that meet Dade County codes.
Q: What makes JELD-WEN windows with ImpactGard different?
A: The interlayer JELD-WEN uses is 100 times more rigid than the industry standard, delivering five times the tear strength. ImpactGard protection helps prevent wind damage by resisting impacts from debris and keeping the building envelope intact during storms. Windows with ImpactGard protection are designed to meet the toughest building codes, especially in Florida. ImpactGard protection also is available with Low-E insulated glass, which offers exceptional energy efficiency.
Q: What are other benefits of impact-resistant windows and doors?
A: ImpactGard protection also reduces ultraviolet exposure by blocking 95 percent of harmful rays, which can cause furniture, fabric and other materials in the home to fade. Sound transmission also is reduced. Compared to a single pane of glass that has a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of around 27, an insulated laminated glass unit can achieve an STC rating of up to 35, which has the ability to minimize even loud construction noises. These products pass the American Society for Testing and Materials standards for preventing forced entry.
Q: Where are JELD-WEN windows with ImpactGard protection available?
A: JELD-WEN Wood windows with ImpactGard are available nationwide, and Premium Atlantic Vinyl windows with this option are available along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Texas. ImpactGard protection is available in aluminum windows and patio doors in the JELD-WEN Premium Atlantic product line, which covers the southeastern states and Gulf of Mexico region.
|
Newsroom
