Testing Strength Of Hurricane Windows – How to Know If They Can Withstand Impact?

Testing Strength Of Hurricane Windows

Hurricane impact windows hold great importance in places prone to hurricanes and regions with extreme weather because of their capacity to endure high wind speeds, heavy rain, and. Due to the high velocity hurricane zone, the glass of windows can shatter easily. If this happens, the high-pressure winds can easily put a strain on the ceiling and walls of the house and blow the roof of the building. These specialized windows are used to prevent such uncertainties.

But how do you know if they used can withstand the forces of nature during a hurricane? These hurricane protection windows undergo various testing to ensure that they offer the required protection. It is very important for builders and distributors to understand the safety aspect of these impact windows since it would help them choose the right ones for their projects.

If you are a novice windows distributor or need to learn what quality checks you must look for in impact windows, we urge you to peruse the sections below. In the coming sections, we have highlighted all that we would need to know about testing the strength of these impact resistant windows.

How is the Strength Testing of Hurricane Impact Windows Done?

As per a study, two or three layers of impact or resistant glass are used to construct an impact-resistant window in residential constructions. Different types of strength testing are done on hurricane windows, and the ones that pass are certified. Here are some of the vital ones:

Impact testing

Impact testing is done on hurricane windows using a timber cannon. For a window to pass the big impact test, it must be able to withstand being struck by a nine-pound 2 by 4 traveling at 34 miles per hour (50 feet per second). The structure is then subjected to 9,000 pressure cycles, which consist of the wind pounding the outside of the home as the pressure within the home rapidly fluctuates.

When a window passes a particular test, the resistance rating for that test is added to its overall rating. The fundamental verdict is either passed or failed when it comes to the impact window ratings to mitigate the damage caused by severe storms.

Water testing

Besides heavy wind borne debris, hurricanes and tropical storms also carry significant water, which has the potential to cause serious damage to house structures. Therefore, performing water testing on Impact resistant windows essential.

To carry out the water test, a huge quantity of water is rapidly poured over the surface of the outside of the windows and doors. The amount of water used in the tests is more than any naturally occurring rainfall that has been documented. After that, a mechanism is utilized to push air behind the water toward the product to simulate the wind-driven rain that often occurs during storms.

If the Impact resistant windows pass the test if they don’t allow any water to enter through them. The rating provided to a window or door specifies the maximum amount of water pressure the product can tolerate before it leaks.

Design pressures

The design pressures of impact resistant windows and doors indicate the maximum positive and negative pressure the window or door can endure before it gives way. In this scenario, failure may be defined as the presence of one of the following issues: a hole is ripped into the laminated glass; the frame warps; a component is dragged out of position; or the steel frames are pulled away from the wall.

To ascertain the design pressure rating of a window that has been tested, the test pressure has to exceed 1.5 times the design pressure for 10 seconds without causing the window to sustain any lasting damage.

Factors determining the design pressure

The design pressures necessary for a certain structure are determined by three factors

  • the height of the building,
  • the distance from open regions such as the ocean, and
  • the location of the building where the window or door is positioned.

Energy rating

Energy ratings are the final tests for hurricane windows and doors that determine energy efficiency. Although they do not alter the product’s structural integrity in any way, the energy rating of a product is just as essential as the structural ratings for determining whether or not it may be used in a house as the structural ratings itself.

Crucial Product Information

The following information about energy is needed to be included on hurricane windows and doors labels:

  • U-Factor Visual Transmittance (VT)
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
  • Air Leakage

The Concept of Hurricane Windows

The concept of hurricane proof windows was first conceived and tested in the early 20th century to create safer windshields for automobiles. Only recently has this technology found its way to the windows of residential and commercial properties, particularly in areas prone to hurricanes.

You may get hurricane window protection on the market in a shatter-resistant film window or an inner membrane technology configuration. Both options offer energy efficiency.

Both types of hurricane-impact windows provide a robust barrier that is resistant to shattering and is designed to protect against high windows, flying debris, and hazardous increases in air pressure. These windows are encased in sturdy metal frames before being fitted.

How to Choose the Right Hurricane Windows

There are a few checks that you can perform before purchasing hurricane proof windows to check their authenticity.

Examine the surface of the hurricane impact glass for a recognizable imprint

You should look in one of the corners of the hurricane glass for the mark in question. Important information regarding the product in question is included in the mark. This information includes the name of the supplier, the site where it was fabricated, the date it was manufactured, the thickness of the laminated glass, and several safety requirements and certificates.

Check the reflection in the glass

Examining your reflection on the surface of the glass is the most effective course of action to take if you are still looking for markings or labels on the glass.

Look at the reflection you get on the window glass by pressing your hand or another item against it. Windows designed to withstand the force of hurricanes often have two panes of glass, so you should be able to see two reflections.

Benefits of Using Hurricane Resistant WIndows

The following is a list of seven advantages that come with protecting your home with impact windows:

  • The installing impact resistant windows only have to be done once, and there is no need to make any storm or hurricane protection preparations.
  • Impact windows improve your home’s energy efficiency.
  • Impact glass provides an overall boost in protection and security from wind, flying debris, and water in hurricane prone areas.
  • Impact windows and doors facilitate noise reduction.
  • Installing impact windows and doors will not diminish your property’s aesthetic value or overall look.
  • Impact glass offers defence against the sun’s UV rays.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right hurricane windows for projects is crucial for contractors, builders, and distributors. Various tests are performed on these windows, and then they are certified suitable for areas prone to hurricanes and storms. Hopefully, you will be able to choose the right hurricane impact window with the insight offered in this article.

ORIDOW

ORIDOW

Aluminium windows & doors, uPVC windows & doors from China

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