Living in Pinellas County is lovely any time of the year…except maybe hurricane season. During that time of the year, you always worry about the weather forecasts and what those strong winds can do to your home. If you recently moved into your home and you’re still getting to know the property, you might wonder how well protected you will be if this common natural disaster occurs the next time a hurricane season rolls around. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Standard Vs. Hurricane Windows

The biggest difference between the two window types is the glass. Regular windows are made of float glass. Upon impact, they break into shards, which can be dangerous, especially in high winds. Hurricane windows, on the other hand, have two or more panes of glass that are bonded together with a resin membrane between them. If the glass is broken, the shattered pieces adhere to the film and the window remains intact. The crack will not expose your house to the disasters that come from wind and water during a storm. The specialized glass is usually paired with a stronger frame as well.

As you might imagine, hurricane windows have to meet a lot of standards in order to pass the test and be able to be called “hurricane windows.” They have to undergo rigorous tests before they are marketed and sold. They have to, for example, pass a large missile impact test and a small missile impact test. They also have to pass a wind pressure test that goes up to 200 mph. These are some serious tests! You know if you have hurricane windows, your home is much safer in the event of a storm.

So, do you have hurricane windows? There are a number of ways to find out.

-Check for Labels

Tempered glass often has a small label etched into the corner to help identify the manufacturer. Impact resistant glass from hurricane windows does not often have a permanent mark of this kind. You can also check for a temporary label on the glass that might outline the thickness, the manufacturing date, and the place of creation. This label will tell you if it’s a hurricane window or not. If you can’t find those items, keep inspecting.

-Look at Reflections

Hold something up to the glass and check the reflection. You will see two or more reflections in hurricane windows.

-Ask Professionals

In order to be completely sure, ask the professional at Clearwater Window & Door Inc. We can come to your home and tell you exactly what you have. If you don’t have hurricane windows Pinellas County and want to make the switch, we can help with that too. Give us a call today at 727-559-7007 and let’s set up a free consultation to discuss your options. You can also visit us at 2025 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33765. We have staff on hand in the showroom during our open hours, which are Monday through Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-2.