Good Hurricane Protection Doesn't Have To Be Ugly
An "Evolutionary" History
Since the dawn of civilization, man has battled the tropical elements of Mother Nature. As a result, hurricane protection has progressed in many ways over the years. It may have started out with something as simple as nailing old boards or used metal roof panels over doorways and windows. Next came the hinge technique manifesting the traditional colonial shutter, the Bahama Shutter, and the dubious clam shell awning.
During the next 20 years, things had pretty much remained the same until the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew, Hugo and others. The losses were catastrophic and consumers were left with ballooning insurance costs and limited (or no) insurance coverage options. There was a mass exodus of insurance companies from Florida and it was every homeowner for him/herself.
This movement, along with improvements in hurricane forecasting, ushered in the popularity of the mechanized roll down shutter (both manual crank and motorized electric), the accordion shutter, and the overlapping, corrugated metal storm panel. Since that time there have been a plethora of hurricane protection products hitting the market including fabrics, screens, foams, corrugated plastic panels, mechanical bars, mats and the economical (but inferior) plywood clips and window films.
Then, in a daring attempt to control the pressurization of dwellings, laminated automotive glass technology was blended with window manufacturing and the hurricane impact windows was born. Until now, it was the only way to offer permanent 24/7 see-thru storm and security protection. Although touted by it's creators to be the "best" way to protect property, it falls far short of this claim because of some significant drawbacks.........
All of the aforementioned products are better than no hurricane protection at all, but they all have weak points when it comes to battling the fury of Mother Nature's almighty Category 5 hurricane.
Enter the Evolution hurricane shutter – a revolutionary, unique, clear-as-glass hurricane shutter design that addresses all of the aspects of clear hurricane protection and more. They are the clearest, strongest, quietest, and most cost effective shutter that is commercially available. A regular window protected with an Evolution shutter (or almost any shutter) will give the homeowner better impact protection than a quality impact window and for less money.
Window salespeople constantly try to tell you otherwise, but the simple math proves them wrong. Impact windows break too easily to make them a good first line of defense against hurricanes. The window-shutter combo is better.
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The Simple Facts
Shutters vs. Impact Windows
Don't be fooled into thinking that when your expensive impact windows are struck during a hurricane that they aren't going to break. Click on the YouTube videos at the end of this article to see what happens to a hurricane impact window when it's struck during a storm.You can also watch a TV commercial and see what happens when one is struck with a baseball bat. Because of this impact windows don't make a very good first line of defense against flying debris. In truth, impact windows are designed to break but remain in their frames to prevent pressurization of the structure. Hurricane impact windows might look good at first glance, but they will have to be replaced. They were not cheap the first time that you bought them and neither will they be the second time! That's money out of your pocket.
When it comes to the facts, shutters are the best first line of defense against the flying debris generated during a tropical storm event. It doesn't matter if you use corrugated metal or plastic panels, accordions, roll-downs or hurricane fabric to protect your investment - even ugly plywood will do the job of protecting your windows during a storm. If your home, office or church already has impact windows installed, shuttering them before the storm hits will protect the sizable investment that it took to get them installed. Also keep in mind that after the hurricane inflicts damage on any community, the lead-time for manufacturing replacement windows will be measured in months - not weeks or days. Like it or not, your broken windows are going to remain a part of your landscape for quite a while. Don't let any window salesperson tell you that you should sell your existing shutters to help offset the cost of purchasing expensive impact windows. Hang onto those shutters and use them to protect your sizable window investment.
Impact Window Testing Videos
Click here and here to see "shatterproof impact windows" claim. Watch how the small shards of glass come flying off of the backside of the window and into the area behind the window. That's where your family will be.
Impact Window Myths
Here are some of the myths that are promoted by websites and TV ads about vinyl impact windows:
Myth #1:
- Vinyl windows are strong and durable. False - The PVC frames can warp, chalk or crack well before your 15 year mortgage is paid off. The glass will still break when struck by flying debris. The Evolution shutter clear panels are made from a hi-tech, space-age polymer that is over 200 times stronger than glass and their heavy-duty aluminum frames will last decades.
Myth #2:
- Impact windows are the best form of hurricane protection. False - Because impact windows are design to break during a hurricane but not blow out of their frames, they make a poor first line of defense against flying debris. Sure, they'll keep the wind from pressurizing your structure and save your roof, but after the storm you and all of our neighbors will be needing to purchase your expensive impact windows again! That's why shutters are superior to impact windows for protection from any flying debris, whether it comes from a storm or from your, or your neighbor's, lawnmower.
Myth #3:
- Vinyl windows increase the value of your home. False - If a home buyer knows that you have vinyl windows installed he'll also know that they will need to be replaced in about 10 years of exposure to the Florida climate. Expect to see an offer at closing that is equal to the cost of your impact windows at today's prices plus a little more due to inflation down the road.
Myth #4:
- Impact windows are shatterproof. False - The inner pane of an impact window is similar to a car windshield. Check out the last paragraph on this page and click to see impact window testing. You'll see and hear lots of broken glass coming off of the backside when they're stuck with the test missile.
The window market is overrun with vinyl (PVC) framed impact windows. Although PVC is a plastic that is relatively inexpensive, it's environmental hazards are so intrusive that European countries have banned many of the chemicals that go into making it. A strong political lobby in Washington is the only reason that these chemicals are still allowed in our country. From the toxic fumes produced during the extrusion process to its disposal in landfills, PVC is an environmental nightmare. For those buyers who insist on impact windows but want to be environmentally friendly, purchasing windows with frames constructed of materials other than PVC (vinyl) should be seriously considered.
Another drawback, of course, is the initial price. The cost of a good quality, aluminum framed hurricane impact window starts at about $60.00 per square foot or about $900.00 for a 3' wide X 5' tall window. Vinyl windows will be cheaper, but they won't last. Then there's installation on top of that. This brings up another drawback - weight. This window will weigh in excess of 50 lbs. which is more than a 40 pound bag of concrete so if you're interested in a DIY project, you had better eat your Wheaties. Imagine lifting a bag of concrete from the outside into where your current windows are located.
So now you're stuck paying an installation contractor to do the job so add another $300.00.
Okay, your contractor is all lined up and your windows have arrived and you receive the call to confirm the install date. Do you toss the keys to your house to the contractor and go to work or do you take the day off and keep and eye on things? You'll have to make the decision about whether to let strangers roam through your home unchecked or miss a day's work. And if you have a scheduled day off and the installer calls that morning and says he can't make it that day, it's going to cost you another day's pay to stay home on the next promise date.
Evolution shutters are installed from the outside so no one will even need to get inside your home. You won't even need to be there on the day of installation. Because an Evolution shutter is so lightweight and simple to install, many homeowners opt to install their own.
We can't say that Evolution shutters are the cheapest form of hurricane protection, but what we can say is that by investing in Evolution Hurricane Shutters you can rest assured that you are getting the best return on your hurricane protection dollar….PERIOD!