5 Signs Your Home Is Hurricane Ready
Florida’s hurricane season is fast upon us, and the last thing that any homeowner wants is to find out too late their home isn’t quite as hurricane-proof as they had hoped. Below are some insider tips we at WindowWall think you should know this Hurricane Season.
Hurricane or Impact Windows?
In the preparation time before the storm, it’s imperative you know exactly what your windows can withstand.
The clear distinction between a hurricane vs an impact window lies in the scope of its protective capability.
Hurricane windows are comprised of multiple layers of material, usually alternating between glass and plastic, that help to prevent the window from totally shattering. The layered solution of hurricane windows also serves to add a greater level of protection to the side of the window opposite the force applied.
Impact windows, on the other hand, are typically created by applying a thin layer of shatter-resistant material to one or both sides of a window (much in the same way automotive glass is manufactured). This film of shatter-resistant material helps to contain any potential pieces of glass shrapnel generated from an impact and helps to prevent the window from being entirely punctured by a focused impact.
Simonton Stormbreaker Design
2. Check your window seals before boarding up.
An often neglected step in the hurricane preparation process, be sure to check the thin strips of sealing material on the edges of your windows before boarding up.
Though the boards may help to protect your windows and home from the winds and rain of a hurricane, moisture will still seep through the grain of the wood over time. This is an especially relevant tip for periods where leaving the boards up for days or weeks at a time is required.
If the seals on your windows have begun to go bad, the trapped moisture between the boards and the frame can rapidly accelerate the deterioration process of the seal. The last thing any homeowner wants is to have water from the residual storms leaking into their home in the period of light rain after a hurricane.
Resealing your windows is a cheap and easy process to ensure their longevity, especially before a hurricane. If you’d rather leave it to the experts, or want any advice about how to go about it please give our help line a call at (813) 649-8959.
3. Can you feel a draft coming from between your door and its frame?
A sure sign that your door may not be as weather resistant as a hurricane may require is the presence of a light draft easily able to be felt coming from between the edge of the door and the doorframe itself.
Though the hinges will keep the door from flying away during 100+ mph winds, poor weather sealing (which is a root cause of a draft to be felt) can mean both your door and your home will become permanently water-damaged during a storm.
All of our doors, from French doors, to sliding glass doors, even our entry doors, come with a lifetime warranty not only from the manufacturers but also from us at WindowWall. Combine that with our 5-point locking system and master installation team and we guaranty quality and peace of mind, rain or shine.
4. Is there condensation between the panes of your windows?
Though it’s completely normal to expect condensation on the outside of the window panes, especially in a high humidity state like Florida, if condensation begins forming between the panes of the window there may be cause for alarm.
Modern windows are typically comprised of two frames with a pocket of gas, typically argon, in between to help prevent heat loss and save on your energy bills. If the gas has begun to leak and outside air has seeped in between the panes this can cause the internal condensation to form.
This is a sure sign that your window seals have given out and that the window is beyond the point of repair. Other signs the window could be leaking are a light draft that is felt when passing by (much like the door example above).
Not to worry though, here at WindowWall all of our windows come with a limited lifetime double guarantee, meaning not only do you receive the warranty from the manufacturer but we include our own warranty free of charge with every installation.
Can you see visible water spots or damage near the corners of your window?
If the are of a wall near the corner of one of your windows has obvious signs of significant water seepage, like paint bubbling off of the walls, mold growth, or large water spots, it definitely isn’t ready to stand up against the torrent of rain and wind felt by a hurricane.
The issues with a leaky window are twofold when considering the effects of a hurricane:
One, water forcibly sprayed against a window at 100+ mph will much more violently permeate a window frame leak than the gentle trickles of lighter storms. Meaning that once you can see even a small amount of damage its probably time to have a new window installed to stand up against an actual hurricane.
The other factor you may not consider is the longstanding effect of significant water seepage into your home. Over time mold can grow and accumulate within the walls near the window and spread out to infect your house. Treating a problem like this is costly and dangerous, especially since Florida’s climate is already a natural breeding ground for black mold.
A much more cost effective and future-forward option is to replace an old, leaky, window with a modern impact resistant or hurricane resistant window. Not only will this prevent the need to pay a team of professionals to treat your black mold, repair any water damage seen or unseen, and repaint the afflicted area but it also will help you to save additional money on the power bill in the long run.
Here at WindowWall we wholeheartedly believe we can offer you, Florida homeowners, the opportunity to truly reimagine your homes both functionally and aesthetically. Please give us a call at (813) 649-8959 or submit a estimate request form today to hear from one of our certified experts to be sure your home is ready to take on this hurricane season.
