Serving St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Indian River and Brevard Counties.
Showroom Open By Appointment Only
License #CGC1505772
License #CGC1533258
At H&M Impact Window & Door, we hear it all the time:
“Are impact windows really that strong?”
So we decided to put that question to the test.
When a 15-pound bowling ball was dropped 30 feet onto impact glass, the result was violent, loud, and impressive. The glass flexed nearly 4 inches and cracked under the pressure, but the window system held together and the home’s protective envelope stayed intact.
That is exactly what impact windows are engineered to do.
The Science Behind the Impact
When the bowling ball struck the glass, it hit at approximately 31 mph carrying over 610 joules of energy. To put that in perspective, that is similar to the energy generated by a .357 Magnum round.
But the truly shocking number is the force created at impact.
Because the ball stopped and bounced in just milliseconds, the glass absorbed approximately:
9,251 pounds of force
That is the equivalent of dropping two Ford F-150 trucks onto one small point of glass for a split second.
Why Cracking Is Actually a Good Thing
Many homeowners assume cracked glass means failure.
With impact windows, that is not true.
Impact-resistant glass is designed much like the crumple zone of a modern vehicle. The glass may crack and flex to absorb and dissipate energy, but the laminated inner layer keeps the system together and prevents dangerous breaches.
Instead of exploding inward like standard glass, the impact glass sacrifices itself to protect:
- Your family
- Your home’s structural integrity
- Your roof system
- Your interior from wind and water intrusion
The fact that the majority of the glass remained in place after absorbing over 9,000 pounds of force is exactly why impact windows are so important in Florida.
What This Means During a Hurricane
Numbers are hard to visualize, so let’s translate this into real Florida storm conditions.
Flying Debris During a Hurricane
During a Category 4 hurricane, roofing tiles, lumber, signs, and tree limbs become airborne missiles.
That bowling ball impact carried similar destructive energy to:
- A roof tile launched at nearly 100 mph
- A heavy tree branch slamming into your home
- Wind-driven debris from neighboring properties
This is the type of impact your windows and doors may face during a major storm.
The Concrete Comparison
Here is what many people do not realize:
The force generated by that bowling ball impact is enough to instantly crack or shatter a standard residential concrete slab.
Your driveway would likely fracture under that concentrated force.
Yet the impact window system absorbed it.
Why Installation Matters Just as Much as the Glass
One of the biggest misconceptions in the window industry is that strength comes only from the glass. It does not. Even the best impact window can fail if it is installed improperly.
The reason this system performed correctly was because:
- The frame stayed anchored
- The structural attachment held
- The waterproofing system remained intact
- The opening transferred the load properly into the structure
A poorly installed frame can fold, twist, or pull away from the wall under pressure.
That is why at H&M Impact Window & Door, we focus on more than simply replacing windows “hole-for-hole.” Proper anchoring, waterproofing, structural integration, and code-compliant installation are just as important as the product itself.
The Real Goal of Impact Windows
Impact windows are not designed to look perfect after a major impact.
They are designed to:
- Prevent catastrophic pressure changes inside the home
- Keep wind and rain out
- Reduce the chance of roof failure
- Protect occupants from flying glass
- Maintain the structural envelope of the home
That bowling ball test demonstrated exactly that.
The glass cracked.
The system worked.
And the home stayed protected.
Protecting Florida Homes the Right Way
Living on the Treasure Coast means preparing for hurricanes is not optional. It’s a part of life.
At H&M Impact Window & Door, we install impact windows and doors designed to withstand the harsh realities of Florida weather while providing long-term protection, energy efficiency, and peace of mind.
Because quality windows and doors are not just a product. They are a process.
