The Difference Between Hurricane Impact Doors and Regular Doors

Designed to protect families and homes in high-velocity hurricane zones, impact doors stand up to strong winds, pounding rains, and flying debris. They’re also significant deterrents for burglars.

But what’s the difference between them and regular doors? This article shall thoroughly evaluate and contrast the durability, security, maintenance, and cost of impact and traditional doors.

Durability

If your doors break during a storm, they can shatter into dangerous, brittle glass shards. It poses a risk to occupants of your home or business and exposes them to the elements and potential intruders.

Impact doors are constructed with solid materials that can withstand the forces of severe tropical storms and hurricanes. They feature thick frames and immense reinforcement, making them more durable than regular doors. They also use a dense interlayer that helps to protect the glass and keep it from cracking during extreme weather conditions.

Impact doors are an excellent investment for your property’s safety and value and can help lower your insurance rates. While you can find impact doors in various styles, working with a certified specialist is essential to ensure you get the right product for your needs. It will ensure the installation process is done correctly, reducing risks and giving you peace of mind.

Security

When a hurricane hits, it can leave behind flying debris that could injure or kill people. Impact doors are designed to protect the home from this debris and keep it from entering the house. These materials can endure extreme wind gusts, torrential downpours, and inclement weather.

They also help deter burglars and other unwanted intruders, as they can’t break the glass like a regular door. Because of this, they can be a great addition to any security system at home.

Insurance companies often offer homeowners discounts on their home insurance if they have impact doors installed. Investing in hurricane-proof doors is necessary, as it will eventually pay for itself. However, speak with your specific insurance provider for more details.

Maintenance

Hurricanes are traumatic for any home or business owner, but the damage can be minimized with quality storm doors and windows. Rest assured that these doors are designed to withstand severe weather conditions, such as intense winds, airborne debris, and moisture. They can also resist the rapid pressure changes from storms entering and exiting your house.

The durability of hurricane impact doors is due to a combination of the doorframe, glass, and hinges. Typical glass shatters under the pressure of high winds, while impact-rated or laminated glass is strong enough to help protect your home.

If you’re considering investing in impact-rated doors, choose a certified specialist to ensure the installation is completed correctly. Uncertified specialists often cut corners and can cost you more in the long run. Additionally, it’s best to avoid buying impact doors from a big box store that uses 3rd party crews.

Cost

Living in an area prone to hurricanes requires unique doors and windows that offer protection. It helps to increase the value of your home while also giving you peace of mind. These products are made of some of the best materials and can stand up against high winds, high-velocity debris, and other environmental conditions.

While it’s no surprise that impact-rated doors and windows can cost more than standard options, the investment is well worth it. These systems offer protection year-round from severe weather, break-ins, and external noise while adding value to your home.

They can also save you money on your energy bills and homeowner’s insurance premiums. As a bonus, the shattered glass that may result from a storm sticks to a layer of shatter-proof membrane instead of scattering across your property and causing injuries. Additionally, the uPVC vinyl frames with these products are better insulators than traditional doors. To maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, it is essential to keep cool air inside during the summer and warm air during the winter.