CGI Products and Severe Weather Events
As a long-standing Florida-based company operating in the building and remodeling industry, CGI is particularly sensitive to weather-related risks posed to residents of this state. The destruction of homes and businesses caused by hurricanes, as well as the disruption caused to the daily lives of the residents, affects all of Florida citizens. CGI products are tested and comply with current industry standards and code requirements for repelling and dispersing water under defined performance conditions. The impact-resistant glass used in CGI products is also tested to ensure that it will resist direct impacts from wind-borne debris and high design pressure caused by hurricane-force winds.
While these products perform as intended under specified conditions, windows and doors are not designed to be leak proof. As with other building components, the forces imposed on windows and doors by extraordinary events such as hurricanes can exceed their ability to keep out water and water infiltration around the frames may occur when exposed to these conditions.
Below are several common questions and answers regarding the performance of impact-resistant and non-impact-resistant windows and doors.
The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) recommends that if a structure sustains damages as a result of extreme weather conditions, the owner should file a claim with his or her insurance carrier to ensure proper handling.
The swift and innovative responses to previous weather events have resulted in significantly reduced catastrophic property damage and personal loss. This is a testament to all companies and individuals in the industry who work to improve the quality of building and public safety. We at CGI are proud to contribute to this public service and look forward to providing quality products that improve lives for many more years.
Frequently Asked Questions
HURRICANE-RELATED Q & A
Q: Are there window and door products that are “hurricane proof”?
A: Impact-resistant products are designed, tested and built to withstand certain conditions to provide reasonable storm protection; however, it is unsafe to consider any product “hurricane proof”.
Q: If something hits my impact-resistant glass, will it break?
A: If struck, the impact-resistant glass can break, but it is designed to remain in the frame. This prohibits wind, water or other debris from entering the structure and causing further – sometimes catastrophic – damage.
Q: Will windows and doors leak in a hurricane?
A: Not necessarily; however, wind speed, duration, direction, rain volume and other natural phenomena that accompany a storm all contribute to and increase the possibility of leaks.All of our products are tested and certified for water infiltration resistance and meet or exceed code requirements.
WATER-INTRUSION Q & A
Q: Why does water leak through my product when I spray it with a garden hose or pressure washer?
A: Most operable windows and doors are designed to withstand up to a certain amount of water pressure, measure in pounds per square foot (psf) or pounds per square inch (psi). A typical garden hose sprays water at approximately 30-60 psi and a typical pressure washer sprays water at 1200+ psi. These pressures far exceed the water rating for operable windows and doors, which typically range between 7 psf and 13.5 psf (0.0486 psi and 0.0938 psi, respectively).
Q: Why does water get into the track of my Sliding Glass Door or windows during a minor rain storm? Is something wrong with my product?
A: It is normal for water to be present in the track of sliding glass door or windows during a storm, especially if it is a windy storm. These products are designed to capture water in the track and drain it to the exterior of the building through the “weep holes” located in the bottom of a door or window frame. Keeping these “weep holes” free of dirt and debris will allow the water to flow out freely and not to build in the track.
