Are you ready for the next hurricane? Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful forces and pose the greatest threat to life and property in Hawaii.

As we have experienced in the past, the Hawaiian Islands are not safe from the destruction and harm caused by these deadly storms. The tropical waters and warm, moist atmosphere is a lethal recipe for a disastrous hurricane.

In fact, the chances of a hurricane hitting Hawaii are rapidly increasing as the ocean temperature escalates due to global warming. Unfortunately, even with technological advances, there is still no way of knowing when a hurricane will hit and how much damage it will cause.

The history of hurricanes in Hawaii

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In 1992, Hawaii was hit with the most devastating hurricane it had ever experienced, Hurricane Iniki. An estimated 130 miles per hour (mph) winds hit the coast of Kauai, causing nearly $3 billion in damage. More than 14,000 homes and apartments were damaged or destroyed, and six deaths were recorded. In 1982, Hurricane Iwa caused $250 million in damages. More than 7,426 houses and apartments statewide and 30 percent of homes on Kauai alone were affected or destroyed.

The future of hurricanes in Hawaii

According to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, based on past experience, if a storm as strong as Iwa strikes any of the islands then:

• Twelve percent of homes and apartments could be heavily damaged or destroyed

• Eighteen percent would most likely experience minor damage

• Thir ty-eight percent of homes and apartments could be heavily damaged or destroyed

• An additional 40 percent will probably have minor damage

Increased since 2007, Hawaii now is designated as a 105 mph wind zone, which is equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane. There are plans to increase this fi gure to 140 mph. A combination of the increased wind zone and the dangers posed by hurricanes has prompted the State of Hawaii’s Building Code Council to adopt new building codes. These codes require high-performance windows and doors that can resist hurricane force winds and the impact of flying debris.

Discount Windows & Doors has the expertise and product selection to ensure that you will not only meet, but also exceed the new building codes. The company’s Makai range of windows and doors are tested in winds up to 180 mph, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.

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Double-strength, self-cleaning glass is used as standard with the company’s entire range of Makai products, giving you that added protection from flying debris during a storm or hurricane. The high-impact virgin vinyl frame will not only give additional protection, but it also will not deteriorate under the influence of the extreme UV rays experienced in Hawaii.

The Makai range of windows and doors are infused with titanium dioxide, among other chemicals, making them impervious to the damage caused by UV rays.

In addition to the Makai range, Discount Windows & Doors offers a wide range of vinyl and aluminum hurricane-proof products. Hurricane-proof windows and doors are required to pass stringent tests to be certified. The glass must withstand the impact of a 2-inch by 4-inch beam fired from a testing cannon at 52 feet per second, not once, but twice. Afterward, the glass must remain in the frame while subjected to 4,500 cycles of positive/negative air pressure, up to negative 175 per square feet.

Discount Windows & Doors is your single source for your window and door needs in Hawaii, whether it is a vinyl residential window or heavy-impact, hurricane-proof door.

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For more information or a free estimate on these exceptional windows, call Discount Windows & Doors today at 673-6656, or visit the company’s beautiful showroom in Kaneohe.

DISCOUNT WINDOWS & DOORS
CONTACT 673-6656
WEB discountwindowshawaii.com