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Protection for Windows and Doors

Doors and windows are vulnerable components of your homes protective shell or envelope because they are easily penetrated by wind-borne debris often generated by the high winds of storms like hurricanes.

If that envelope is breached during a storm because of the failure of windows and doors, wind, wind-driven rain and debris can enter your home causing considerable damage to its interior and your property.

A more critical issue develops when the envelope is breached -- high winds can enter your home and exert high pressure on your walls and roof. These internal pressures combined with the external pressure of wind blowing over your home can lead to catastrophic damage.

You can protect your home's openings by installing impact-resistant windows and doors or installing impact resistant coverings, such as shutters over windows and doors.

Impact resistant glass and shutters are specifically designed to meet a combination of impact and continuous pressure from the wind. Always use products that have been tested to one of these standards and have been designated as such through a recognized product approval system or evaluation report.

Ratings
SBCCI SSTD 12
ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996
Miami-Dade Protocols PA 201, PA 202, and PA 203.

Impact resistant windows usually consist of a clear plastic-like film sandwiched between two specially-treated pieces of glass, giving the window greater strength than glass alone.

Equally important as the strength of the glass is the strength of the window's frame. An impact resistant window is tested as a unit that includes the glass, the frame, as well as the attachment hardware and the installation method. Impact resistant windows should always be installed following the manufacturer's recommendations.

Exterior doors should also be wind and impact resistant or protected with an impact resistant covering.

Garage Doors

Garage doors are particularly vulnerable to high winds, because of the long span of opening they cover and the relatively lightweight material they are made of.

Two options are available for strengthening garage doors.

Replace the door and track with a system that is designed to withstand high winds and wind-borne debris. The second option is to protect the garage door with a tested and approved impact resistant covering.

Visit www.flash.org or call toll-free (877) 221-SAFE for more information about protecting your home from disaster.