What you need to know about hurricanes and impact-resistant glass

When we purchase a house or rent a beach house for summer vacations, we always want to know that it will stand resistants to storms and not become a problem in the future.

Hurricanes, especially living in Florida, are the most damaging natural disaster. A Category 4 or 5 lowers U.S. production and increases unemployment. They also depress stock and other financial markets. According to the Congressional Budget Office, about 1.2 million Americans live in coastal areas, which are major risk areas. Coastal shoreline counties create 40% of America's jobs and are responsible for 46% of its gross domestic product.

"Such areas lie less than 10 feet above the sea level," says the National Hurricane Center. The government estimates hurricane damage is $28 billion a year. Florida contributes 55%, Texas and Louisiana add 13% and 9% respectively.  

By the year 2075, the damage cost will increase to $39 billion. Half that will come from increased development along the coastlines, the other half will be due to climate change.

Global warming means that we'll have higher ocean temperatures at deeper depths which help feed the hurricanes strength. M.I.T. models predict that by 2035 there will be more hurricanes and 11% will be Category 3, 4, and 5. It also says that 32 super-extreme storms with winds above 190 miles per hour will occur. Some hurricanes in the past such as, Katrina, Harvey, Maria, and Irma, to name a few, are ones that we should prepare for.
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To better prepare our homes, Sky-Frame has introduced a new series of sliding glass doors and windows certified to high hurricane resistance standards.
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They've fulfilled Miami-Dade County requirements and comply with High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) criteria as outlined in the Florida Building Code. The panels are permitted for design pressures up to 75 psf and have passed water resistance testing up to 22 psf – the highest level on the market, according to the manufacturer.

Coming in at 91 inches wide and 138 inches high, the Sky-Frame Hurricane panels are among the most solid hurricane-rated sliding doors in the world. It's one 1/8-inch sight lines allow for architectural versatility and uninterrupted views. They can be operated manually or motorized, and with a multi-track setup, allow for an unlimited number of sliding doors and windows.

Learn more: sky-frame.com