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Honeywell Bullet-Proof Fabric Used in Hurricane-Resistant Curtains
At the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando last month, Honeywell announced that its high-strength Spectra fiber, which is commonly used in bullet-resistant body armor, is a key component of panels that can protect windows and doors during hurricanes.
The Storm-A-Rest roll-down curtains are being sold by North Carolina-based John Boyle & Co. The Spectra fiber allows the panels to resist high winds and resulting debris, while weighing only two and a half ounces per square foot.
According to the curtain manufacturer, Storm-A-Rest is approved under the state of Florida’s code for Wind Zone 4, which includes the areas within one mile of the state’s nearly 1,200-mile coastline. The new curtains meet or exceed requirements for winds in excess of 155 mph and for impact from large wind-borne projectiles. It is estimated that 7.3 million homes are within the hurricane zone.
Because the new curtains incorporate Spectra fiber, they are non-corrosive and UV-resistant. They are also highly translucent, allowing daylight into a home, a helpful feature during power outages; and they are engineered to stop wind-driven rain.
Spectra fiber is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. In addition to armor, Honeywell produces Spectra fiber for industrial applications such as fishing line, rope and marine cordage.
Home owners can easily install the curtains using standard fasteners without special tools, and they can be fastened to wood, brick or concrete surfaces. The panels are available in more than 350 Sunbrella-brand accent patterns and come with a five-year warranty.
Honeywell also featured Enovate at the IBS — a non-ozone depleting blowing agent used in energy-efficient, closed-cell foam insulation for walls, ceilings and roofs, as well as solar water heaters in China. The material was recently applied to repair the roof of the Louisiana Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.
Headquartered in Morristown, N.J., Honeywell is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Leading Suppliers of NAHB.
This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.
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