With the first snow comes snowball fights aplenty. Children and adults alike enjoy building snow forts and hurling snowballs at each other or mischievously stuffing snow down a friend or family member’s collar. However, it also creates concern for homeowners – can snowballs break your windows? Or is this only a concern if someone were to maliciously pack a rock or piece of ice into their snowball?
Here is what you need to know about snowballs and the likelihood that they can break windows.
Will Snowballs Break Your Windows?
In short, they can, depending on a variety of factors. They’re increasingly more likely to break a window if they have rocks or ice in them.
A stray snowball that wasn’t aimed properly could just break apart when it hits your home’s windows, leaving you with nothing more than a chunk of snow that will melt away. If a snowball wasn’t packed together very well, it’s also less likely to break your windows.
However, depending on the velocity of the snowball, the closeness of the person throwing it, its denseness, and whether it’s just snow or has ice or rocks in it too, these all can impact the likelihood of whether or not snowballs break your windows. So too does the existing condition of your windows. For instance, if they’re already cracked, even an innocent snowball could worsen the damage.
Factors That Impact How Snowballs Affect Your Windows
There are several factors to take into account when worrying about whether or not a snowball can break a window.
Was It Intentional?
If someone is intentionally throwing snowballs at your windows, this increases the likelihood of breakage.
Was It Thrown At A Close Distance?
If it’s thrown as close-range and has rocks or ice packed into it, this also makes it likely that it could break your windows. Even a snowball that’s just snow and nothing else could cause property damage at close proximity to your windows.
How Big is It?
The size of the snowball matters too. If the snowball is big, it’s less likely to cause damage, as the bigger the snowball is, the easier it is for it to fall apart, as they don’t hold together very well. The small, tightly packed snowballs are the ones to watch out for.
Is It Pure Snow?
If a snowball is just snow, there’s a lessened (but not eliminated) risk of it doing damage. As mentioned above, small, tightly packed snowballs can cause quite a bit of damage. However, if the snowball has rocks or ice in it, it is far more likely to cause damage to your property, especially if someone is intentionally throwing rock-filled snowballs at your windows.
How Hard Was It Thrown?
A snowball thrown without much effort is less likely to cause damage then one that was hurled with great force. Think about rocks and your car – if a rock hits your car while you’re driving, it can cause serious damage, such as shattering your windshield. However, if a rock is lightly tossed and hits a stationary car, it’s less likely to leave a mark.
As you can see, it’s valid to worry about whether that traditional snowball fight will damage your windows! In order to avoid window damage, ensure that any snowball fights take place away from your windows.
Snowball Fights Are Illegal In Certain Areas
Worried that snowballs will break a window? You’re not alone. Snowball fights are actually illegal in some cities and you could get slapped with a misdemeanor charge for throwing snowballs.
This is because they can cause injury to passers-by and damage to people’s properties. They can lead to vandalism, such as breaking windows or denting windows. They’re seen as a nuisance and a potential threat. Snowballs get coupled in with other projectiles, such as stones. You could not have a snowball fight on public property or throw snowballs at anyone who isn’t participating in your winter fun.
However, places with laws against snowball fights usually have verbiage allowing for private snowball fights on private property between willing participants.
Before balling up some snow to throw at your friend, check local ordinances – and ensure you have your snowball fight far away from any breakable windows or dentable vehicles!
Do You Need Window Repair Or Replacement?
If your windows have been damaged by an errant snowball, Peak Windows is here to help. We provide professional window repair and replacement services. We can also install new windows or manufacture custom windows for you. To learn more about the window services we can provide you with, please do not hesitate to contact us today!
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