Why is a vinyl framed insulated impact window so much better than an aluminum framed impact window? The main reason is that it gives you 8 means of protecting your home from hurricane projectiles, hurricane wind pressure, heat and water intrusion.
1. The first means of protection is the 3 inch thick honeycomb extruded vinyl frame. The vinyl itself is long lasting and is impervious to the harsh Florida environment. No maintenance is required down the line. The honeycomb design also provides 16 insulating compartments all around the frame. (more than any other window made) As compared to original construction window frames that are just over 1 inch thick, the vinyl frames provide a lot more rigidity and more material to interface with the opening in the building. We also fasten the window to the building with more fasteners that are many times larger than the original installation.
2. The second is the outside sacrificial glass layer. If the window should get hit with a projectile during a wind event, this glass will break, and the resulting fragments will remain outside and not on the carpet and furniture in your home.
3. The third is the triple sputtered layer of silver oxide soft coat Low E (Low E3 366) material on the inside (Surface 2) of the sacrificial glass. The microscopic particles are milled such that they have facets like a gemstone that reflect light. Custom Windows has placed this working component on Surface 2 to minimize heating of the inert.
4. Argon gas which is the fourth means of protection.
5. The fifth is the desiccant material which is located in the metal frame. (See the cross section drawing at the right.) If moisture should somehow infiltrate the insulated glass assembly, perforations in the metal spacer.
6. 7. 8. The sixth, seventh, and eighth layers of protection comprise the impact glass sandwich. The center layer in the sandwich is the PVB or SGP polymer material which is the working material that prevents projectiles from penetrating the home.