Storm Protection Windows Offer Substantial Protection
to Homeowners This Hurricane Season
Dothan, AL, June 8, 2007
- Experts at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Climate Prediction Center are projecting a 75 percent chance
that the Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal
in 2007. Predicting between 13 and 17 Named Storms, seven
to 10 expected to develop into hurricanes, NOAA recommends
those in hurricane-prone regions to begin their preparation
plans. Coastal Homeowners, looking to protect their property,
are looking more and more to Impact Resistant, Storm Protection
windows and doors.
According to Sid Busiek of the Bay County Florida Emergency
Management Offices, “Homes are destroyed during a
hurricane when the structure is breached, usually through
a broken window. The winds pour in and incredible pressure
builds inside, eventually blowing the home apart from the
inside out.” The vast majority of homeowners protect
their homes by fastening plywood over their windows, but
studies have shown that this is really inadequate protection
against flying debris traveling at hurricane force speeds.
FEMA recommends, 5/8 inch Marine Plywood be used, a product
not carried by the average Hardware store. The ultimate
level of protection is often considered to be Aluminum Hurricane
shutters. Hurricane Shutters are very expensive, outside
the price range of many homeowners, often upwards to thousands
of dollars per shutter. The inherent problem with shutters
is that they are unsightly, can obstruct or block the view
into and out of the home, and if damaged, incur large expenses
in repairs to the home and themselves. To make matters worse,
increased demand for the products due to the severity of
the last three hurricane seasons is so great, backlogs as
high as one year are still in effect in some areas of the
country.
With these factors in mind, many homeowners have sought
alternative means to protect their homes. That answer in
most cases has been Impact Resistant, vinyl windows and
doors like the EXT Series, manufactured by Shwinco Industries.
Impact Resistant products work by utilizing a special glass
with a vinyl polymer fused inside. When struck, the glass
crackles and “spider webs” instead of shattering.
This prevents a breach, protecting the home from further
damage. According to Chuck Coker, Shwinco’s Sales
Manager, “Impact Resistant windows offer comparable
protection to shutters against flying debris and wind loads
generated by hurricanes without any of the drawbacks. For
example our EXT Series products are the strongest vinyl
impact windows and doors in the industry, able to withstand
up to 200 mph wind loads. Impact windows are just that:
windows, they are not unsightly and the view remains unobstructed.
Rescue workers can see inside your home easily. Unlike shutters
that impede escape or rescue, if you need to escape due
to a fire in the home, even when damaged, impact windows
can be opened easily. After the storm, if needed, you just
replace the glass, not the entire unit, saving a great deal
of money.”
Hurricane season, often referred to as the “101 days
of Critical Summer” is upon us, and homeowners are
looking for the most effective ways to protect their most
valuable investments. With so many products on the market,
savvy homeowners are looking to innovative products that
meet all of their needs, from durability to cost to cosmetics.
For many in the market today, those criteria are found in
impact resistant windows and doors.
For additional information (or sample, copy or demo), contact:
Tim Gagnon, Shwinco Industries, 500 Aberdeen Loop, Lynn
Haven FL 32444
Shwinco industries is a family owned and operated manufacturer
of custom vinyl window and door products. Established in
1989 by the Shipp family and strategically located near
Florida’s Gulf Coast, Shwinco is one of the oldest
vinyl window manufacturers in the country. The company specializes
in manufacturing vinyl products designed to withstand the
extreme weather conditions of coastal communities.
Contact:
Tim Gagnon
American Dream Services
850-532-0348
http://www.americandreamagency.com
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