Ideas & Inspiration

Benefits of Impact-Resistance

Hurricane Protection

IDEAS & INSPIRATION

Hurricane Protection

PGT® WinGuard® impact resistant windows and doors take the stress out of preparing for a big storm, providing peace of mind that your family and home will be protected when severe weather hits. The strength of hurricane-force winds is no match for our relentlessly tested products. And with millions of WinGuard® hurricane impact products around the world, we’ve had zero reported impact failures.

2 WGA FD750 French Door hurricane

Geographic Hazards

Divided into five categories based upon sustained wind speeds, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to predict damage to buildings and homes that could occur. WinGuard® impact doors and windows are made to withstand repeated impact and hurricane-force winds.

Wind Speeds

hurricane category 1
Category 1

74-95 mph

hurricane category 2
Category 2

96-110 mph

hurricane category 3
Category 3

111-129 mph

hurricane category 4
Category 4

130-156 mph

hurricane category 5
Category 5

157 mph or higher

DID YOU KNOW?

The highest sustained U.S. wind speed ever recorded was 190 mph during Hurricane Allen in 1980.

Past Hurricanes

Of the hundreds of hurricanes that have made landfall in the United States, Florida has been impacted by more than any other state. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the most expensive hurricanes the U.S. has experienced in recent history include:

Katrina: $200 billion
Harvey: $160 billion
Ian: $118.5 billion

Maria: $115.2 billion
Sandy: $88.5 billion
Irma: $64 billion

Some regions continue to face challenges for years and even decades in the aftermath of a hurricane. You can help minimize the damage caused to your home by protecting it with quality impact products like WinGuard® windows and doors.

past hurricanes

Miami-Dade Standards

Before they are approved for sale in Florida, all fenestration products must be tested and certified by a third party. In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, PGT® proudly partnered with Florida building officials to develop the Miami-Dade codes, better known as Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA), which are the most stringent in the country and designed to provide exceptional hurricane protection to communities.

miami dade standards
hurricane beach

Other Weather Threats

We’ve all seen the destruction that hurricanes can cause, but tropical storms can also be extremely dangerous and cause serious property damage. Reaching wind speeds up to 73 mph, tropical storms can bring flash floods, tornadoes, and other safety threats that PGT® impact windows and doors are designed to protect against.

broken glass

Does Your Impact Window Pass the Missile Test?

How much can an impact resistant window take? PGT® hurricane windows and doors undergo large missile testing to help ensure your family and home are protected from hurricane-force winds and the damage they cause. Always look for impact resistant products that meet this tough large-missile standard.

Size: 2X4
Weight: 9 pounds
Speed: 50 ft./second

See the power of WinGuard®
window rain

Are you Miami-Dade Certified?

Requiring a missle test like the one seen in the video above and a cyclical test for pressure, these standards are some the world’s toughest.

miami dade
Look for the Seal

Ensure that your impact windows and doors meet the Miami-Dade requirements. Always look for the symbol above, and ask to review certifications for product safety. A certified PGT® dealer can help you learn more.

Impact Windows vs. Shutters vs. Plywood

Many homeowners aren’t sure which impact products they should choose to protect their property from storms and severe weather — especially in the most hurricane-prone areas in Florida where building-code requirements have strengthened in recent years. See the comparison chart below to find out which is right for your home.

Learn how WinGuard® is different:

shutter

Impact Windows vs. Shutters and Panels

Product
No Effort Required
No Storage Required
No Change in Home Appearance
24/7 Security Protection
24/7 UV Protection
24/7 Noise Reduction
Cost Efficient
PGT WinGuard® Impact-Resistant Windows & Doors
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Electric Roll-Down Shutters
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Manual Roll-Down Shutters
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Accordion Shutters
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Panel Shutters
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Plywood Panels
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Fabric Storm Panels
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