For Design Pressures

When discussing ratings for window and door products, Design Pressures are a numerical value (in pounds per square foot) that defines the structural wind loading capability of a particular product and determines where and how a product may be installed. These Design Pressure Ratings are determined in test laboratories through severe hurricane simulation testing. Design Pressures are how window and door products are measured and differentiate products from one another.

In short, it determines what products are stronger and will offer the most protection from the dangers associated with hurricanes. When comparing windows, higher design pressures equate to stronger windows and better protection.

Design Pressures are rated in both positive and negative pressures. The positive pressure will represent the amount of pressure that is pushing against a building. The negative pressure represents the amount of pressure that is present while pulling away from the building. When referring to building codes and design pressure specifications, the negative pressure is researched to be most dangerous and products that posses higher negative design pressures provide the most protection during a storm.

It is important to understand that all hurricane impact windows and doors are not created equal. There are many different levels that windows and doors can qualify as hurricane protection systems. Simply being rated an impact window does not qualify that window in all situations or offer a homeowner the protection they need or desire.

In order to chose the proper impact window and door package for your home it is critical to know the difference between Miles Per Hour and Design Pressures.

The State of Florida has developed the following Wind-Borne Debris map to determine a minimum standard and estimate of what the potential wind speeds (in miles per hour) would be if a hurricane should hit a particular region. Miles per Hour is used in determining the wind speed zone a building is located and has no bearing on the structural integrity or strength of a particular product.

When comparing the strength of impact products, the products certified Design Pressures will dictate which window and/or door is a stronger product and offer the best protection.

Windows or doors must achieve a minimum Design Pressure to be installed in each wind speed zone based on the location of the building, height of the building, and size of the windows and/or doors being installed.

For Safety & Security

Wholesale Hurricane Protection is committed to promoting home security with intruder-resistant windows and doors from Gorell.  We are working closely with Gorell to help raise awareness about home crime prevention strategies, particularly around window and door security.

Gorell is the only window and door manufacturer in the country selected to partner with the National Crime Prevention Council.  As an authorized Gorell dealer, Wholesale Hurricane Protction also promotes the NCPC and is helping to educate consumers about the important role window and door security can play in preventing home break-ins.

Wholesale Hurricane Protection offers several lines of Gorell windows and doors, which are tested according to forced entry standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specification F588-97.  Gorell products are unique in that every product submitted has passed, meeting the highest level of ASTM structural forced entry test criteria to ensure maximum impact resistance.

Wholesale Hurricane Protection also offers the ultimate in window and door security – Gorell’s Armor Glass^Ò windows and doors, which provide homeowners with an effective means of deterring break-ins.  Armor Glass products feature three glass panes – two of which sandwich a tough polyvinyl butyral interlayer – to keep out intruders.  In tests, these windows withstand more than 30 blows from a baseball bat before a hole the size of a quarter appears.  Armor Glass also offers other benefits, including improved sound control, safety and energy savings and solar protection.

To learn more about enhancing home security with Gorell Armor Glass products, visit our showroom on Metro Parkway or call 239.936.2900.

Not all options available on all products.