They are windows and doors that combine heavy-duty frames with impact-resistant laminated glass and a special silicone glazing process to keep the glass from breaking away from its frame. Impact-resistant glass is comprised of two panes of glass bonded together with an interlayer of either clear polyvinyl butyral or Sentry Guard Plus.

Although wind-borne debris or an attempted break-in may crack the glass on impact, the interlayer keeps the overall window or door intact, preventing destructive winds or intruders from entering your home.

What are Hurricane Windows?

Hurricane Windows are impact resistant windows are an effective alternative to hurricane shutters that are both aesthetically superior and more effective in severe weather conditions and for preventing break-ins. Hurricane impact resistant windows are designed to withstand varying pressure changes and will not shatter into dangerous fragments like a typical window.

What causes condensation on windows?

Condensation or sweating, is a natural occurrence on all windows that have a tight seal and is caused by excess humidity or invisible water vapor present in the air. When this water vapor comes in contact with a surface which is at a cooler temperature, the vapor turns to visible droplets of moisture

What are egress requirements?

Egress requirements indicate a minimum opening size that certain windows must meet. In South Florida, the Egress minimum is a 5.7 square foot clear opening

What is Low-E?

Low-E stands for low emissivity and is basically a metallic coating applied to a surface of glass that reflects and re-radiates heat energy whether into or out of a home depending on climate conditions. Using Low-E is an excellent way to increase the energy efficiency of a window.

What is Solar Heat Gain Coefficient?

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (or SHGC) refers to a window’s ability to transmit solar radiation. The SHGC ranges from 0-1. A value of 0 indicates that window functions like a wall, essentially preventing any solar energy from entering the building. A value of 1 indicates that the window functions like an opening, allowing all solar energy in.

In cold climates, a high SHGC can lower heating costs by using passive solar heating. In warm climates, a low SHGC is desired to keep unwanted heat out and reduce cooling costs.

What is the Difference Between PVB and SGP?

Hurricane resistant windows are made from laminated glass and have an interlayer of either PVB or SGP. Currently, the most common interlayer used in hurricane resistant windows is PVB, short for Polyvinyl Butral or Butacite.

PVB has over 70 years of successful use in both the automotive and architectural industries and is the most cost effective interlayer used in hurricane resistant windows. SGP or Sentry Glass Plus is a relatively new interlayer that is becoming popular throughout the US due to its higher performance ratings and structural durability that exceeds that of PVB.

The expected price increase from PVB to SGP is approximately 10-15 % per window and door. Whether you’re seeking an economical solution or have a project that requires the highest performance standards, Smart Replace Corp has the options to meet any residential and commercial projects.

How often should residential windows be replaced?

Homeowners with windows over 20 years old or standard non-impact window and doors should consider replacing them, both to gain the best energy efficiencies and to protect the house. A home is an ideal candidate for a window replacement if its windows are sealed or painted shut or has drafts that come through the windows.

How much do hurricane impact windows cost?

The hurricane impact windows cost depends on which products are used, the quantity of windows and doors, and how much the installer charges for the window installation. The “Best Buy” rankings are based on performance ratings, quality of construction and materials, ease of operation and warranty. The “Best Buy” selections were limited to aluminum, vinyl and clad-wood units because they account for about 80 percent of the U.S. replacement-window market.  The magazine awarded a Best Buy rating in three categories: premium, midrange and economy.. They can be placed in order from least to most expensive,

Will Impact Windows provide noise reduction?

Yes, Impact Windows can provide up to 32% reduction in perceived loudness for a standardized mixture of aircraft, railroad and vehicular traffic noise versus a dual pane window. Noise reduction percentages can be misleading in some instances.

The basic problem is the human ear. As the environment gets quieter, the ear becomes more sensitive to noise. This means that some of the reduction provided is lost. A window manufacturer can say they reduce the current noise levels by 80% or by 50% and both statements will be true. One is the instrument measurement and the other is the perceived reduction. Additionally, depending on actual noise levels, the reduction may be perceived as 100%.

Dual pane window sales people can say they stop the noise (in some noise level environments they do). They can also say they cut the noise over 50% (true by instrument reading compared to a poorly sealing window).

Logic would dictate that the higher a window’s STC rating, the better it should be at reducing traffic noise. But this is often not the case. The STC (sound transmission class) was developed to control noise for speech, not planes, trains and automobiles. Speech is quite different from the low frequency roar of traffic or the high pitched whine of a jet engine.

The good news is that OITC (outdoor-indoor transmission class) was specifically developed to address transportation noise. It is used to specify the sound transmission loss properties of exterior building elements such as walls and windows. The OITC uses outside noise sources such as traffic, aircraft and trains to calculate a single number rating. As a general rule, an increase in OITC means a corresponding decrease in interior noise level.

What are R-values and U-values?

The R-value is the resistance a material has to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. The U-value is the amount of heat that is transferred through a material. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating quality.

What do I do if I have an issue that is covered by my warranty?

If you have an issue that needs to be addressed and is covered by your warranty, simply call our office and we will explain the service process.
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