With summer just starting, it is apparent that this one will be extremely hot, and with that comes an abundance of UV rays. This can have an adverse effect not only on the temperature of your home, but continued exposure to UV rays can cause fading of flooring, furniture and even artwork. Impact-resistant glass found in hurricane windows and doors can help block UV rays through Florida’s harsh weather. 

In addition to an array of material types available in the market today, hurricane impact windows and doors offer a wide variety of glass options. Clear non-impact glass, which is commonly used in residential and commercial structures allows up to 75% of UVA to pass. If your home gets a lot of natural light, this level of exposure could put you at risk. Tinted glass is an option to consider; it is available in a variety of colors and will absorb more of the UVA rays. However, most tinted glass still allows about 25-50% of UV rays to pass and can also restrict some of the natural light.

Homeowners looking for increased UV protection should consider Laminated Glass (aka Impact Glass) and Laminated Insulated Glass. Both can filter out 95 to 99% of all UV rays, making them ideal choices. Laminated glass is comprised of two sheets of glass bonded together with a protective PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer. Laminated Insulated Glass is comprised of 2 panels of glass with a hermetically sealed air, or gas filled space in between. The air or gas filled space serves as an insulator between the temperature difference that exists between the inside and the outside. Added benefits include noise reduction, enhanced security and improved energy efficiency.

For optimal UV protection, LoE coatings can be added to Laminated and Laminated Insulated glass. This innovative coating is applied to the internal glass surface to separate heat energy (long wave) and light energy (short wave). This causes the heat energy (long wave) to be reflected back to the heat source and the short wave to pass through the coating.

If you’re interested in learning more about impact glass and its UV protection benefits, fill out a quote request here.