Protecting Your Home From Hurricane Strength Winds

If you live in a state like Florida that is prone to hurricanes, then you know the importance of protecting your home or commercial property as much as you possible can before the season starts. In fact, The Florida Building Code actually requires windows to be impact-resistant if they are in a property within one mile of the coast where the wind speed is 110 mph or greater. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from the beginning of June to the end of November, so getting ready really starts now, in the springtime. Below are just three of the housing decisions that people make in order to prepare their home for hurricane season:

Hurricane Proof Windows – One way to prepare your home for a hurricane is to upgrade one of the home’s most vulnerable areas: the windows. Impact resistant windows are a great product that can provide exactly what you need when a hurricane hits; resistance to the incredibly high winds that occur. Hurricane force winds can travel over 100 miles per hour and in order to withstand something like that a window needs to have an impact-resistant glazing system of +105/-130.

Hurricane Proof Front Doors – Another vital part of keeping your home protected from the violent winds involves the stability of your front door. It may seem like a small part of your overall home structure, but it can make a huge difference in a hurricane environment. Hurricane impact doors, similarly to their window counterpart, can withstand an incredible speed of wind, rain, and other debris.

Hurricane Proof Patio Doors – A patio is common to see on homes in beach side communities because the weather is typically so nice that people want to be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces. That is where hurricane proof sliding glass doors and other styles of doors come into play. Don’t just protect your front door when a hurricane comes, otherwise you are leaving an entire entrance to your home exposed. Hurricane proof sliding glass doors are a great investment because you aren’t losing the look that you want your patio to have, and you still have the protection!

During the 20th century alone, nearly 160 hurricanes hit the United States and the majority of them were in Florida. So, if you live or own property in the Sunshine States, you need to make sure that it’s protected. Investing in high impact glass for your windows and hurricane proof sliding glass doors as well as front doors will be a huge benefit to you in the long run. Even if you have to evacuate, you can rest assured that your family and your home will be safe if you’ve prepared by purchasing products like the ones listed above.