Your home is your sanctuary — the place you go when you want to escape from the world. You need to be able to trust that your home will keep you and your family safe. Here are five helpful tips to increase your home’s safety and ensure you and your loved ones are protected from danger.
#1. Broken Glass Repair
So, you have a broken window. Maybe your kid accidentally threw something at it, or maybe it was a rogue ball from the neighboring golf course. Whatever the reason your window is broken, it’s important not to put off repairing it. Broken glass has sharp edges, which can be dangerous, especially if you have small children. Plus, broken windows provide an entry point for bugs, critters, and even burglars.
If you’re looking to ensure your home’s safety, you need to make sure all your home’s potential entry and exit points are sealed. You may be tempted to repair or replace broken windows yourself; however, this is not a good idea. When you try to do it yourself, you risk improper installation, which will decrease your window’s lifespan and lead to drafts and seal failure.
For maximum safety, leave repairs to the professionals. They have the licenses and training needed to safely repair and replace broken glass. Plus, some companies offer emergency window repair, so you can get prompt service when you need it.
#2. Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is safer than standard glass. In fact, it’s four times stronger than standard glass because it has been heated and then suddenly cooled during the production process. In the event that tempered glass suffers an impact, instead of shattering into jagged shards, it produces dull cubes. This reduces the risk of someone cutting themselves on broken pieces.
Most residential windows use tempered glass because of its safety benefits. Any window that a person might strike or fall into should be tempered. In fact, there are building codes that require windows to be made of tempered glass depending on their location and size.
Consult with a window professional to determine which windows and glass doors in your house need to be tempered in order to ensure your home’s safety.
#3. Laminated Glass
Like tempered glass, laminated glass is stronger than standard glass. It is created by combining two or more layers of glass with a polymer sheet in between. When laminated glass is struck — but not pierced — it cracks in a classic “spiderweb” pattern, but does not completely shatter.
Laminated glass is great for windows and doors in areas that have a higher risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. It also provides greater home security because it is harder to break in the event of an intrusion.
#4. Exterior Doors
Your home’s exterior doors should be strong, solid, and secure. If they have glass, it should be tempered or laminated. Exterior doors come in a variety of styles and can be made of a wide variety of materials, so to find a door that enhances your home’s appearance while also increasing your home’s safety, consult with a professional.
#5. Basement Egress Windows
If there is an emergency in your home, you need an escape route and a way for emergency personnel to be able to reach you quickly and easily. One way to ensure you’re able to get the help you need is with basement windows, which are also known as egress windows.
Because these windows are intended to be used in an emergency, there are specific standards egress windows must meet in order to comply with city codes. It can be complicated to figure out exactly what your home needs, so it’s important to consult with a professional window installation company to ensure your home’s safety.
Increase Your Home’s Safety With Peak Windows
The professionals at Peak Windows can help you determine exactly what your home needs in order to keep you and your family safe. We have the skills and expertise to provide you with the highest level of service. In addition to broken glass repair and window replacement, we offer new construction windows, vinyl windows, and even trendy new black windows. If you need doors, we have those, too — from entry doors to interior doors to sliding glass doors. Plus, all our products come with a lifetime warranty, so if anything goes wrong, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to see what we can do for you and get the process started today!