Popular Science honours hurricane-resistant curtain containing Honeywell Spectra® Fiber

22-Nov-08

Hurricane-resistant curtains containing Honeywell's high-strength Spectra® fiber has been awarded Popular Science Magazine's 2008 Best of What's New Grand Award. The curtains were named the top innovation in home technology. The Spectra fiber-made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process-commonly used in bullet-resistant body armor, enables the Storm-A-Rest ™ curtains to protect windows and doors during hurricanes. The use of Spectra fiber enables the roll-down curtains to withstand 155 mph winds and impact from large wind-borne projectiles. They are manufactured by North Carolina-based JHRG, LLC. Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel and 60% greater specific strength than aramid fiber. The fiber exhibits high resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet light. It has excellent vibration damping, flex fatigue and internal fiber-friction characteristics. Popular Science's Best of What's New awards recognize the developments and advancements that create an affirmative impact on the present life and thereafter. Storm-A-Rest curtains are approved under Florida's building code for Wind Zone 4, which includes the area within one mile of the state's nearly 1,200-mile coastline. It is estimated that 7.3 million homes are within the hurricane zone. The company claims homeowners can easily install the curtains using standard fasteners without special tools. They can be fastened to wood, brick or concrete surfaces. Further, the use of Spectra fiber makes the curtains lightweight (weighing less than two ounces per square foot) and about 75% less than corrugated aluminum panels.