When choosing windows and doors for your home, there are many factors to keep in mind. Matching their look to your house and its surroundings, suitability for the climate, and energy efficiency have to be considered when making a choice. That’s because doors and windows have so many different functions: security, ventilation, protection from the elements, aesthetic appearance, temperature control, and more. Impact resistant windows and doors combine all these functions in one package, making your choice easier. They’re also eco friendly and add value to your home.
Why choose impact resistant windows and doors?
Security. Energy efficiency. Weatherproofing. These are some of the most important reasons why people choose hurricane proof windows and doors. At the same time, there’s no need to sacrifice beauty and aesthetics to these highly practical considerations. Hurricane resistant windows come in many different styles, colors and materials, to match every style and decor. Aluminum, vinyl, and wood are three popular choices. All offer the same advantages.
- Safety
Whether it’s the climate or human factors such as break-ins, high quality impact resistant windows can keep your home safe. Hurricane proof impact resistant windows are made to withstand storm winds up to 200 miles per hour. In fact, they are tested to withstand Category 5 wind conditions. - Energy efficiency
Windows are created for ventilation and light. At the same time, they are also responsible for the loss of heated or cooled air, raising heating and cooling bills summer and winter alike. It is estimated that an ordinary home loses as much as 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy because of inefficient windows.
However, by installing energy efficient windows, you can achieve substantial savings on your heating and cooling bills. By using Energy Star rated windows, you can reduce your home energy bills 7 to 15%. Adding window awnings can also keep your house cooler in the summer. Window awnings when added to south-facing windows can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65%; for west-facing windows, awnings can reduce heat gain by as much as 77%.
This results in cooler temperatures; in addition, reducing the solar glare also creates a more comfortable ambience within the house. - Add value to your home
As well as improving home safety and lowering energy costs, new windows and doors can add value to your home. Among all home improvement projects, adding a new steel front door provides the best return on investment (ROI), with a long-term return of 98% of the cost of installing the door. Adding new windows to your home gives you a 78% ROI. It also gives your home more curb appeal.
Choosing new windows for your home is an important decision and needs careful thought. The new or replacement windows that you choose will last at least 20 years on average. You will be living with them for a long time. A consultation with an experienced firm of window installers can help you decide which type of windows are best for you. If you live in a hurricane-prone climate, impact resistant windows will make your home safer and also add to its value.
