The beauty of coastal living is often overshadowed by the threat of hurricane events. Over the years, building codes and products have been developed to help homeowners build and renovate their homes to resist higher wind loads and wind-borne debris. This helps keep the wind from entering the home and creating internal pressure that can destroy the entire house. We all know the effects of a hurricane can be devastating. Impact-resistant products can go a long way to defending your home. This is Lorna’s story.
Residents of Mexico Beach, Lorna, and her husband made the decision about eight years ago to sell their business and retire to a laid-back beach town. The couple built their dream home which included Simonton StormBreaker Plus® windows to enjoy the beautiful ocean views.
Just before 1 PM on October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael slammed into Mexico Beach with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour…just 2 miles per hour short of a Category 5 storm. Mandatory evacuations were announced and the residents of the small Florida community had the heart-wrenching task of packing up and leaving their homes behind.
Lorna and her husband evacuated to Georgia and waited out the storm with family. As news coverage poured in, it showed the storm had obliterated Mexico Beach. They watched hoping to catch a glimpse of their home to see the extent of the damage and what they saw astonished them. Their home was still completely intact, but the homes on either side of them had been reduced to rubble.
As they returned home, the couple could hardly believe their eyes. Not only was their home intact, but the damage was minimal: a small crack on the ceiling and some water damage. They were so amazed they reached out to Simonton to have them document how well StormBreaker Plus windows “held up during Hurricane Michael.”
Tested and Certified Coastal Products.
Simonton is committed to providing impact-resistant windows and doors to help protect homes and families that live in coastal areas where hurricanes strike. StormBreaker Plus window and doors feature impact-resistant KeepSafe Maximum® glass and reinforced profiles for added strength. They are tested and certified to meet impact standards for the Florida Building Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance evaluation for the Texas Coast and select styles and sizes are certified to meet AAMA standards for Miami-Dade and Broward County HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone) specifications.
If you’re interested in learning more about StormBreaker Plus impact-resistant windows and doors, schedule a consultation with a professional near you using our Find a Pro tool.
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