January 9, 2018
Why Hurricane-Ready Windows Are Critical
Sierra Pacific Windows experts weigh in on the importance of hurricane-ready windows to protect the structural envelope of buildings.
Red Bluff, CA (January 9, 2018) – Hurricane season officially ended in November. But builders along the coasts are already battening down
the hatches for the next round of storms that could hit as early as May 2018. Sierra Pacific Windows has a dedicated team of hurricane window
experts, who make it their business to anticipate the need for hurricane-ready products.
Sierra Pacific Windows Product Manager Dani Weiler notes that, while Sierra Pacific is not in the business of predicting hurricanes, one thing is certain: “The farther we get from the last hurricane, the closer we are to the next one.” Therefore, it’s critical that homeowners and builders in hurricane zones use this time wisely.
The Building Envelope
There remains a great deal of confusion about the importance of hurricane-ready windows and doors in the overall structural integrity of a
building or home. Most Zone III or IV homeowners understand the need for sturdy walls that can withstand the lateral pressure of a hurricane,
but education is needed concerning the role that secure windows and doors play in hurricane-sensitive areas.
It all starts with the building or structural envelope, which includes walls, floors, roofs, doors and windows. “For the most part, the
structural envelope is what keeps a home intact. It stands to reason that any opening could potentially be a weak link when subjected
to hurricane forces. If a window breaks, air rapidly enters the space, changing the internal air pressure. This could lift off the
roof and/or knock down walls. A break in a building’s envelope can result in complete destruction within just a few minutes,” Weiler said.
Hurricane-Ready Windows and Doors
That’s why Sierra Pacific FeelSafe line of impact-resistant windows and doors were designed to withstand almost anything a hurricane can
throw at them – making them very tough to penetrate. “The high-strength, shatter-resistant, laminated glass is engineered to stay intact
to maintain the building envelope,” Weiler said. FeelSafe engineering doesn’t stop with laminated glass – windows and doors are made
with structural sealants, corrosion-resistant, 300 series stainless steel hardware and installed with additional anchorage.
The majority of standard FeelSafe windows and patio doors are available to meet the rigorous demands of Zone IV HVHZ areas, while H3
FeelSafe casement and double hung windows are for use in the broader Zone III locales. The soon-to-be-released FeelSafe Bi-fold Door,
FeelSafe Push Out Casement and FeelSafe Aspen Casement will expand builders’ choices for beautifully designed wood windows engineered
for impact sensitive, hurricane-vulnerable markets.
Engineered for Strength. Designed for Beauty.
The expanded line of hurricane-ready products is being called a game changer in the category, and not just because of its brute strength.
The new line combines the sheer fortitude of the FeelSafe impact line with the elegant natural beauty of a wood window. This is a new level
of design sophistication that has been missing from this category.
The storm-tested H3 FeelSafe takes Sierra Pacific Windows award-winning H3 platform and combines it with the “workhorse strength” of the
FeelSafe impact line. The game changing solution of H3 FeelSafe is that it brings all the advantages of the H3 with the beauty of a wood
window to a large impact-sensitive market.
“Hurricanes can be a harsh, ugly reality,” Weiler said. “Sierra Pacific’s hurricane-ready windows are designed to make protecting yourself
from the storm much more attractive.”
For more information on the FeelSafe line, visit Booth W3818 at the International Builders’ Show, or go to www.sierrapacificwindows.com
or call 800-824-7744.
ABOUT SIERRA PACIFIC WINDOWS
Sierra Pacific Windows is a division of Sierra Pacific Industries, a family-owned forest products company. Based in Red Bluff, California, Sierra Pacific Windows is one of the largest manufacturers of superior quality, custom wood and vinyl windows and doors in the world. It is the only fully vertically-integrated seed-to-window window and door company, in which the company owns the forestland and manages the entire manufacturing and distribution process. Sierra Pacific Windows has a combined manufacturing production space of over 2 million square feet in California, Wisconsin, and Alabama. Its windows and doors are distributed via more than 600 nationwide dealers, distributors and company-owned locations.
ABOUT SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES
SPI is a third-generation, family-owned forest products company based in Anderson, California. The company owns and manages over 2.4 million acres of timberland in California, Washington, and Oregon. Along with being a windows manufacturer, it is one of the largest US lumber and millwork producers. SPI is committed to managing its lands in a responsible and sustainable manner to protect the environment while providing quality wood products and renewable power for consumers. The company’s forests are certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®. Sierra Pacific Industries utilizes nearly 100 percent of every piece of wood brought to its 18 sawmills and eight biomass-fueled cogeneration power plants.
