Metal frames typically cost more than vinyl and fiberglass.Windows made from metal are less energy efficient as they conduct heat.Consider the following benefits and limitations of each material. Triple pane windows are better than double pane windows at keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.ĭoor and window frames are available in a wide variety of materials, including vinyl, wood, fiberglass, aluminum, steel and wood. The space between the panes of glass is usually filled with a gas, such as argon, which reduces heat gain and loss through the window. A window must have an ER of 34 or greater to be Energy Star certified.ĭouble and triple-pane windows have two panes of glass, while triple-pane windows have three. A higher ER indicates a more energy-efficient product. The energy rating (ER) is a measure that includes the U-factor, SHGC, and air leakage. The lower the SHGC, the more effective the window is at blocking heat gain from the sun, which can help to keep your home cooler on hot days. The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) measures the amount of solar radiation that passes through a window. Windows must have a U-factor no greater than 1.22 to be Energy Star certified. The lower the U-factor, the slower the heat loss (and the more energy efficient the window). Some models also require you to go outside to operate, which can be challenging for those with mobility issues.The U-factor measures the rate of heat loss. When a hurricane shutter is closed and put into position for a storm visibility will be limited or non-existent through that opening, unlike with an impact rated window you can see through.įor those with a second home, hurricane shutters may not be the best option as you have to be in the home to operate them. Like impact resistant windows, impact rated hurricane shutters also can save you money on annual insurance premiums. Choose from multiple types of hurricane shutters to find the look and functionality you want. While you have to be home to operate them Rollgard shutters, for instance, now come with motors so you can open or close them with a flick of a switch. They can be used to bring in color or complement a more dramatic look with dark, elegant tones. Shutters also provide a certain finished look to a home, adding character and a bit of charm. Hurricane shutters come in varying wind and impact ratings, depending on their size, shape, and more. First, hurricane shutters are a much more affordable option than installing impact resistant windows. They provide a number of benefits for homeowners. Hurricane shutters are installed over a window to protect the glass underneath. Also, if something does strike the laminated glass on your impact window, the glass will still crack and need to be replaced, even though the window will deny the projectile entry into home. Impact windows can be twice the cost of a normal non-impact window of same type and size. Replacing all the windows in your home with impact resistant windows is a major investment. hurricane shutters, the biggest difference is cost. When considering impact resistant windows vs. They can also save you money on your insurance premiums. Even if you're travelling, these windows safeguard your home.įurther, impact resistant windows can improve your home's energy efficiency and greatly reduce outside noise because of the additional laminate layer and extra pane of glass when compared to non-impact windows. Impact resistant windows protect your home and the people in it from storm debris, theft, and other damage 365 days a year. Most types of this glass can withstand an impact equal to a 2x4 piece of wood traveling at 50' per second hitting it or the force of winds up to 200 mph. With impact resistant glass, the pieces remain attached to an inner membrane along the window frame. When normal glass is hit by flying projectiles during a storm, it can shatter. This type of glass was first manufactured for automobile windshields, and is now a popular type of window to install in the Gulf South. The glass used for an impact resistant window utilizes a strong laminate interlayer between two pieces of glass to absorb impacts.
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