One of the stars of Southwest Florida, Sarasota is an incredible place to call home. From the stunning Siesta Key Beach to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, and the popular Sarasota Farmers Market, there’s so much to see and do here.
Of course, if you’ve lived in the area for any length of time, you know that Sarasota gets its share of severe weather. That’s particularly true during June through November when hurricanes are at their peak. Property owners in the area must take steps to protect their properties from Mother Nature’s fury. One option is to install impact windows on Sarasota homes and businesses.
Not sure what impact windows are, how they work, or why they’re such a popular choice in Southwest Florida? We have all the answers to your most pressing questions.
How do impact windows differ from standard windows in a home or business?
Impact windows differ from conventional windows in several key ways, including the fact that they are hurricane-rated and standard windows are not. Below are a few more differences between the two windows:
- Impact windows are constructed with a three layered glass system
- The inner and outer layers are made from high-strength sheets of glass
- The central layer is a tough membrane/interlayer made from SGP or PVB (at Eurex Shutters, we use SGP because it’s five times stronger than PVB)
- The frames, hardware, and components are constructed for extra strength and durability
Do I get any year-round benefits from installing impact windows on my Sarasota property?
Yes! Impact windows offer robust protection during hurricane season, but they also offer benefits all year long.
Improved Energy Efficiency – One of the benefits of installing impact windows on your Sarasota home or business is that they can increase your energy efficiency. Standard impact windows offer comparable (or slightly better) efficiency as dual-paned windows, but if you opt for insulated glass rather than standard glass, you can improve that even more.
Improved Security – Breaking a window is one of the most common ways for a thief to enter a home or business. However, they won’t be able to break through your impact windows. They’re designed to withstand 150-mile-per-hour winds and flying debris, so they’re usually more than a match for most thieves. Even if the perpetrator manages to crack the glass, the window will remain in place, denying them entry and forcing them to go look for easier prey.
Improved Property Value – Adding impact windows and doors to your home can increase its value by up to 20%. That’s in addition to the substantial energy savings offered and the potential reduction on your homeowner’s insurance. With a higher property value, your home will command more value if and when you choose to sell it.
Interested? Learn more about if Hurricane Impact Windows Add Value To Your Home in SWFL.
Improved UV Protection – Impact windows on Sarasota homes and businesses don’t just prevent intruders. They can also help block UV rays and some can even prevent up to 99% of UV-related fading of fabrics, paints, furniture, flooring, and other materials. And they manage to do all that without blocking visible light.
What type of frame material do impact windows use?
It’s important to pay attention to the frame material used with any window. Over time, inferior materials will degrade, creating gaps that allow air into and out of your home, and decreasing the security and protection your windows offer. At Eurex Shutters, we believe in offering the highest quality materials possible and offer impact windows in Sarasota with either high-quality, aluminum or vinyl frames.
Aluminum Frames – Aluminum is the material of choice for many homeowners and business owners. These frames are strong and light but pack in decades of durability. All of our aluminum frames are powder-coated to prevent oxidation and create a finish that stands the test of time.
Vinyl Frames – Vinyl is another very popular material. Vinyl framed impact windows are attractive and easy to maintain, and the frames never need to be pained. They’re also very durable.
Not sure which to choose? Check out our guide to vinyl and aluminum impact window frames. Or you can contact us and one of our experienced technicians can help you choose the best option for your budget and needs.
If I install impact windows on my Sarasota home or business, how long will they last?
Florida’s environment can easily damage most materials. Many manufacturers and installers only offer a one or two-year warranty on their products because of that.
However, our impact windows are designed to stand the test of time and exposure to major storms. We stand behind our impact windows with an industry-leading, 20-year limited warranty. We believe that our impact windows are superior to anything else available in the area, and we’re willing to put our money where our mouth is. After all, your satisfaction and safety are our primary goals.
I’ve heard that impact windows can reduce sound from outside my home. Is this true?
Installing impact windows on your Sarasota home can definitely make it quieter. The properties that allow our windows to stand up to major hurricanes also help to block some noise from outside your home. So yes, you will notice a difference. However, impact windows do not soundproof your home, so don’t be fooled by misleading salespeople overstating the noise-reduction benefits.
Will stones thrown by lawnmowers, golf balls, or baseballs break my impact windows?
It’s important to understand that impact glass can and does break if impacted hard enough. The protective abilities it offers stem from the fact that it will not shatter and fall into the room. Instead, it spiderwebs, but stays together. However, significant force is required to do this.
So we cannot guarantee that golf balls, baseballs, or rocks thrown by lawnmowers won’t break the glass. But we can say that in the rare instance that it happens, you’ll be safe from shattered glass fragments and the elements.
Ready to Make a Difference in Your Home or Business?
Impact windows for Sarasota homes and businesses offer outstanding storm and security protection as well as peace of mind. Isn’t it time you benefited from adding impact glass to your home? Contact the impact window pros at Eurex Shutters below for a free quote or to learn more about our hurricane shutters, and impact windows in Sarasota.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
