Across the board, CGI’s residential products constructed with impact resistant glass outperforms the competitors, making them the strongest hurricane window and doors in the industry. Just look at our performance charts and see for yourself.
1. What sets CGI apart from the competition?
Performance, appearance and quality. We know how important protecting your family is. Why leave it up to chance? CGI’s performance ratings are unparalleled in the industry. Our internal quality standards go beyond those of any other manufacturer. Architects, consumers, dealers and manufacturers alike recognize our reputation for quality. What’s more, all of our hurricane resistant products offer the strength and care free maintenance of aluminum, but with the look and feel of wood. Also check out CGI’s beautiful new wood grain finishes.
2. What does CGI do that other manufacturers can’t?
Below are just a few examples.
•CGI’s windows and doors are test-proven to be the strongest products on the market today. See our comparison charts
•CGI’s impact resistant windows can be installed on virtually any building, including high-rise buildings, and meet the most stringent impact code requirements.
•CGI offers 10’ tall impact resistant Single-Hung windows.
•CGI’s Designer Fixed Windows actually match the sightlines of our other operable windows. You can put a fixed window next to a casement or project out window and they look identical.
•CGI offers swing doors with high impact glass that are up to 42 inches wide at 7’ 6” tall, or up to 36” wide and 9’ feet tall. Most other manufacturers are limited to 36 inches wide and 8 feet tall.
•CGI’s hurricane doors are available and approved in both in-swing and out-swing configurations.
•The hinges for CGI’s hurricane doors are made by Hager and are fabricated from solid brass or stainless steel, while competitors use in-expensive aluminum hinges that can wear out quickly.
•CGI holds two separate patents for components we use in our impact resistant products. Our three point door lock mechanism allows for improved security, operation and product strength. The patented design of the sash carrier on the Single-Hung improves the smoothness of the window operation and its functionality.
3. How should I compare one hurricane window to another?
This is an important investment, so take the time to do your homework before you buy. Some important things to do when making a decision are:
1. Take time to see the actual products for yourself. Visit one or more dealer’s show rooms and ask to see examples of different products. A well made window not only should perform under severe weather conditions, but should enhance the beauty of your home. A manufacturers attention to fit and finish and details like the designs of its muntin and glazing beads are just some of the obvious difference .
2. Evaluate the strength of the impact window or door based on its design load (PSF- Pounds per Square Foot). The design load is the product’s ability to resist forces like that created by hurricane winds. Not all impact windows are created equal: they are approved at different levels of performance. The higher the PSF, the stronger the product. Compare the PSF rating to understand how products differ in strength. CGI’s hurricane windows are approved as high as 210 PSF (equates to 290 MPH winds), while most competitive manufacturers are only approved at around 70PSF. That makes their products only 1/3 as strong as ours.
3. Consider the product’s original intent when it was designed. Are you buying a product like CGI’s that was designed specifically to sustain the heavy impact of hurricane winds? Or, are you buying a product that has been modified to be able to meet only a marginal impact requirement? CGI specializes in impact resistant products unlike some other manufacturers. That means that 100 percent of our research and development is devoted to impact resistance.
4. Do I really need products that are that strong?
Why take a chance? CGI’s impact resistant windows and doors are designed to higher performance thresholds. The benefits far outweigh the cost difference, and in many cases, the cost difference is minimal. Keep in mind; it’s not only the performance in a storm, but also the longevity of the product that makes it worth buying. The product features that make CGI products stronger also allow them to last much longer than the competition. We stand behind our products with an industry leading warranty. CGI hurricane windows and doors installed over 10 years ago are still performing and operating as when they were first installed. If you are considering purchasing impact resistant windows or doors, you owe it to yourself to understand the long term value difference between CGI and the other competitors.
5. When shopping for impact windows, how do I know that they have the proper code approvals?
All code approvals are not created equal. Code approvals can be granted for many different product types, product properties and product uses. When evaluating code approvals, make sure the products are specifically approved for impact by a reputable governing agency such as Miami-Dade County and verify the approved performance level (PSF). Some manufacturers misrepresent their products as impact approved, when in fact the product is not. Talk to a CGI dealer for more information. Beware of the following:
•Approved NON IMPACT windows and doors
•Impact windows and doors that are NOT approved for larger sizes, heights or locations in a structure.
•So called “impact products”, which are simply impact glass in a non-impact approved window. Under tropical storm conditions, the glass could fly out of the window framing. Confirm the details with a CGI dealer.
6. Is there anything else I should look for when comparing impact products?
Make sure the products are approved for Large Missile Impact resistance. There is a lesser impact requirement which is called small missile. The tougher standard is the large missile (which also happens to qualify as small missile). However, the opposite is not the case and a small missile product cannot be used where large missile is required.
7. Do I really need impact resistant code products?
If you live anywhere that is subject to wind damage, you do. The only way to be certain that the products will perform properly is if they are approved by one of the governing bodies. Many consumers also buy impact resistant products for the other benefits including the burglar deterrent feature and security.
CGI products have deterred many burglaries in the past. Imagine how better you will sleep at night knowing how difficult it would be to break into your home. With a non-impact product, burglars can simply enter the house by breaking a window. CGI’s industry leading warranty provides break in protection. See warranty for details.
8. How do I get a premium reduction in my home insurance when I have code approved impact windows and doors?
Contact your insurance company. They will usually require that you have an approved professional (inspector, contractor, architect or engineer) fill out an insurance form that can be obtained by your insurance company. Once completed and submitted, they should grant you a discount for this protection.
9. How do CGI’s impact resistant windows and doors compare to other impact windows and doors?
Many other manufacturers offer a low end, marginally compliant product that they market to tract builders. Comparing their products to ours is like comparing a bicycle to a sports car. They’ll both take you from point A to point B, but they will not perform the same over time. If you are considering wood windows, they can be as or more expensive than CGI. Even if aluminum clad, they will eventually require replacement. Wood windows and doors will expand when it’s humid and you will experience problems opening and closing them. Even the most advanced wood product will deteriorate a little every year. At what point has the decay exceeded the products ability to perform in a tropical storm?
CGI’s products, together with their safety benefits, longevity and style have the highest wind resistance and performance ratings in the industry. Our aluminum frames don’t deteriorate like wood or become brittle like vinyl: they stand the test of time. And unlike some other producers of impact resistant windows and doors, we offer a variety of styles to both compliment and enhance the design of your home.
10. Does CGI offer regular (non-impact) windows and doors?
No. CGI manufactures impact windows and doors. While some manufacturers may offer many different products, CGI is only focused on impact resistant windows and doors. Manufacturing an impact product varies greatly from a non-impact product and CGI has been manufacturing impact products longer than most other companies.
11. How do I get a quote on CGI products?
CGI only sells its products through recognized dealers. Please contact your local CGI dealer.
12. I compared prices and found CGI to be more expensive. Why is that?
If you are comparing to a low end builder’s grade aluminum or vinyl products, CGI’s products can be more expensive. However, when compared to wood windows and doors CGI’s prices are frequently below the competition, This industry is no different than any other. It takes more money to produce a superior product. Of course weaker aluminum products are going to be less expensive since they cost less to produce. So do products that are manufactured overseas, and the result is a level of inconsistency that can seriously compromise the functionality of your doors and windows when it matters most.
The more you learn about the products you are considering before you buy the better you will appreciate and understand the differences. Don’t rely on somebody’s sales pitch: not even ours. Why can we say that? Because our products speak for themselves. Take the time to compare the products yourself.
13. Can I replace the existing glass on my windows and doors with impact glass and get the same level of protection?
NO. An impact window is a combination of a strong frame, impact glass, secure method of attaching the glass to the frame and a strong method of attaching the framing to the structure. While the glass may be able to resist the impact, the window framing will not be able to hold the glass in place. This type of upgrade is not recognized by any building department or insurance companies.
14. Will hurricane film on my existing window and door glass provide impact protection?
Films that are applied to existing glass are not approved as an impact resistant product. They may be approved and actually hold valid Miami Dade County Notice of Acceptance (Product Approval) as a plastic component. This simply means that the film material is flame retardant.
Window films serve the same level of impact protection as installing impact glass into a non-impact window, except that the film may scratch. While the film may hold the glass shards together, the glass with the film will fall out of the window frame. Sometimes film dealers offer to overlap the film on to the window frame and claim that this resolves this problem. This window treatment is not approved for impact resistance by Miami-Dade County. Refer to the question in this section that reads “Can I replace the existing glass on my windows and doors with impact glass and get the same level of protection?"
Reflective window films may be very good at reflecting the sun and making the home more comfortable. This is the same benefit that can be achieved with a coated glass product.
