Sound Off

“Many people don’t realize that sound transmittance through windows can be the difference between enjoying ‘home sweet home’ and suffering through sleepless nights of car alarms and traffic sounds,” says Gary Pember, vice president for Simonton Windows. “Along with being exceptionally energy-efficient, windows with an impact-resistant glass package can greatly reduce the transmittance of sounds into the home by more than 50%.”

Impact-resistant Simonton StormBreaker Plus® windows and doors, typically installed in homes in geographic areas that experience hurricanes and severe weather, are also known for their exceptional sound resistance. Some of these windows can help lower the transmittance of outdoor noises into the home by 50% over standard window glass.

“These windows are a secret weapon for people living in noisy locations who want to make their homes into an oasis of peacefulness,” says Pember. “Whether you live in a bustling downtown area condo or a house near a major shopping area, these sound control windows can transform your home into a calmer, quieter living space.”

Sound Construction

To help protect against severe weather and keep outside noises on the exterior of the home, Simonton StormBreaker Plus vinyl windows and doors are constructed of remarkably sturdy reinforced vinyl profiles. Insulating glass units feature impact-resistant laminated glass that helps withstand high winds and flying debris without the need for plywood or shutters. Energy-efficient, impact-resistant StormBreaker Plus windows and doors are tested to meet the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) standards for use in a High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) for the Florida Building Commission and to meet the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) evaluation for the Texas Gulf Coast.

Pember points out that an investment in impact-resistant Simonton StormBreaker Plus windows has a multitude of benefits for homeowners, including:

1. Energy-efficiency features that help reduce energy costs for the home,

2. Impact-resistant features that protect the home during severe weather and intruder attempts, and

3. Potential reduction in homeowner insurance costs due to the impact-resistant features that help protect the home from potential burglaries and severe weather conditions.

Putting Windows to the Test

To ensure that Simonton StormBreaker Plus products can meet the challenge of severe weather and noisy neighbors, Simonton tests their products in certified test laboratories for impact, structural, condensation, and thermal conditions. The state-of-the-art labs replicate severe weather conditions that would otherwise be found only in hazardous, real-life applications.

“We conduct everything from air-cannon tests that simulate flying debris during a hurricane to wind-driven rains in our labs,” says Pember. “This helps our Simonton engineers refine our product designs and assure they continually meet industry codes and standards.

“Impact-resistant windows are an important investment for a homeowner," Pember explains. "They provide energy efficiency and enhance the home environment with resistance to noise, severe weather, and intruders. That’s a winning combination.”