Beyond the Storm: Engineering Peace of Mind with UNI-K Hurricane Protection

When a hurricane warning is issued, the clock starts ticking. For many homeowners, this means a frantic rush to hardware stores for plywood or the physical strain of hanging heavy shutters. But at UNI-K, we believe that protecting your family and your home shouldn’t be a last-minute stress—it should be a built-in certainty.

In regions prone to severe weather, your windows and doors are your first line of defense. Here is what you need to know about the science of hurricane protection and how UNI-K is setting new standards in the industry.

Understanding the Force: The Saffir-Simpson Scale

Hurricanes are categorized by their sustained wind speeds. To understand the level of protection your home requires, it is essential to look at the potential for damage across the Saffir-Simpson Scale:

• Category 1 (74-95 mph): Very dangerous winds will produce some damage.

• Category 2 (96-110 mph): Extremely dangerous winds will cause widespread damage.

• Category 3 (111-129 mph): Devastating damage will occur.

• Category 4 (130-156 mph): Catastrophic damage will occur; most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks.

• Category 5 (157+ mph): Total roof failure and wall collapse are possible.

The Cost of Vulnerability

History has shown us the devastating financial impact of hurricanes. From Hurricane Katrina ($200B) to Hurricane Ian ($118.5B), the aftermath of a storm can last decades. The most common cause of catastrophic home failure during a hurricane is a breach in the "envelope" of the house. When a window breaks, internal pressure builds up so rapidly that it can literally lift the roof off the structure.

This is why quality impact products aren't just an aesthetic upgrade—they are a structural necessity.

The UNI-K Difference: Science in the Lab, Safety in Your Home

While many brands claim "impact resistance," UNI-K backs it up with rigorous technical verification. We take pride in our Florida Building Code (FBC) certification, ensuring our products meet the most stringent legal requirements for high-velocity hurricane zones.

However, we go a step further. In our specialized UNI-K testing laboratory, we measure the two most critical factors in impact technology:

1. LMI (Large Missile Impact)

Typically required for the ground floors of buildings, LMI testing involves firing a 9lb 2x4 lumber stud at the glass at 50 feet per second. Our LMI-rated products are designed to withstand heavy flying debris without breaching, keeping the wind out even if the glass cracks.

2. SMI (Small Missile Impact)

Designed for higher elevations (usually 30 feet or higher), SMI testing uses several small steel balls fired at high speeds. Because wind speeds increase with altitude, your upper-floor windows need to be specifically engineered to handle different types of kinetic energy.

Why UNI-K?

By maintaining our own laboratory to measure LMI and SMI performance, we ensure that every product leaving our facility isn't just a piece of glass—it’s a precision-engineered shield.

Choosing UNI-K means:

• Unmatched Peace of Mind: Knowing that your home has been tested against the toughest standards in the world.

Don't wait for the next hurricane season to secure your legacy. Uni-k collection of hurricane proof window and door systems, and invest in protection that’s as relentless as the storm.