Too often, the wrong terminology is used when describing types of windows. Don't get fooled by window salesmen using the wrong terms to describe what they're selling.
Let's get right to it by watching this 18 second YouTube Video.
Impact - Impact Resistant Glass for Windows and Doors
The key takeaway is that the 2 x 4 did NOT penetrate through the glass. Sure, the glass broke, but there was no penetration. Impact resistant glass, as it's name implies, is designed to resist an impact from flying debri.
The term most often used by those in the window and door business for this type of glass is "impact". Joe the salesman will likely refer to a window or door as "an impact door" or "an impact window". Using "impact" is simply a shorter way to say: "impact resistant door" or "impact resistant window".
We will cover in separate posts more details about impact windows and doors (and the different grades of impact), but for now, the image below illustrates a PVB (polyvinyl butyl) interlayer sandwiched between 2 panes of glass to provide impact protection.
Non-Impact Resistant Glass - aka Non-Impact - Windows and Doors
On the other hand, non-impact windows and doors are NOT designed to withstand an impact from flying debri. Except in few areas in south Florida where they're not required, all new non-impact windows and doors installed in Florida will have double pane glass.
The double panes of glass in your new windows and/or doors are going to be very energy efficient. However, they are not designed to withstand a direct impact from flying debri.
Hurricane Windows and Doors - The truth is, there is no such thing as a "hurricane window" or a "hurricane door".
I can't help but cringe when I hear a prospective customer say something like this to me: "The salesman from company X told me his windows are hurricane rated" or "he told me his windows are hurricane windows, and that's what I want."
"Ok," I say. "But are they impact or non-impact?"
Let's dive a little deeper on this, shall we? You're likely familiar with the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, even if you don't know it by name. This is the scale of hurricane's from category 1 to category 5.
Many non-impact resistant windows and doors are rated to withstand winds up to 140 mph.
Withstanding high winds from a hurricane is a good thing ... unless something actually gets caught up in the wind and impacts one of your windows or doors.
2 Common Reasons Why Salesmen Call a Window or Door a "Hurricane Window" or "Hurricane Door" - and What You Should Say if they Do
They're uneducated. While I hope that's the case, far to often they call their products hurricane windows or hurricane doors because of reason #2.
They're intentionally misleading you. Impact windows and impact doors are more expensive than their non-impact counter parts. When a salesman tells you the windows they're selling are "hurricane rated", or "hurricane windows", or "hurricane doors", too often they're selling a non-impact window or door ... and NOT an impact resistant window or door.
If the salesman uses a phrase like "hurricane rated", simply ask him "Is what you're offering 'impact resistant'? It's important to distinguish between what he is saying, and what the product is actually rated to do.
Remember the old adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If the guy selling "hurricane rated" windows and/or doors is considerably less expensive than others selling impact resistant ones, it should be a red flag that could indicate his "hurricane rated" window is actually a non-impact one.
How to Protect Yourself from Buying the Wrong
The most important way you can protect yourself is to carefully review the sales contract to ensure the product(s) have an indication that they are "impact" or "impact resistant".
Ultimately - it does not really matter what the salesman said in his sales presentation. The only thing thatr truly matters is what is written in the sales contract that you sign off on.
How Do I Know If My New Windows are Impact Resistant or Non-Impact Resistant?
So, you've already bought windows, and perhaps had them installed already. Now you'd like to know if the windows are actually impact resistant. You can do the following tests yourself.
Flashlight Test - On your cell phone, turn on the flashlight. Hold it up to the window, and look at the glass. You'll see reflections of light ... you're looking for the prominent light reflections. If you see 3 prominent reflections of light - you most likely have Impact Resistant windows (or doors) since there are 3 panes of glass. If you see 2 prominent reflections of light - you most likely have Non-Impact Resistant windows (or doors) since their are only 2 panes of glass.
Knock On The Glass - this is a little more nuanced, but if you knock on the glass with your nuckles, the sound it makes should be solid for impact windows. Be sure to knock from the inside of your home (not on the outside) since the laminated glass portion will be on the inside of your home. If you go knock on the outside of the window, you the sound it makes should be less dense, and not feel as solid.
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