Hurricane resistant composites

In a building having an opening, and a protective screening covering said opening, the improvement comprising said screening comprising a flexible composite fabric comprising:

• (a) at least one layer of a fabric comprising high tenacity polyolefin fibers;
• and
• (b) at least one layer of a plastic film attached to a surface of said high tenacity polyolefin fiber fabric;
• each of said fabric layer and said film layer having sufficient translucency so as to permit light to enter said opening of said building;
• said fabric layer providing protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and said film layer providing an impervious barrier to water, whereby said opening is protected against hurricane force winds and associated flying objects.

A method of protecting a building opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects, said method comprising providing a screening for said building opening, said screening comprising a flexible composite fabric covering said opening, said flexible composite fabric comprising:

• (a) at least one layer of a fabric comprising high tenacity polyolefin fibers;
• and
• (b) at least one layer of a plastic film attached to a surface of said high tenacity polyolefin fiber fabric;
• each of said fabric layer and said film layer having sufficient translucency so as to permit light to enter said opening of said building;
• said fabric layer providing protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and said film layer providing an impervious barrier to water.

A lightweight storm curtain for covering at least one opening in a building structure, such as windows, doors, sliding glass doors and the like, and for protecting said opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects, said storm curtain comprising:

• (a) a flexible composite fabric comprising:
• (i) at least one base layer of a fabric having first and second surfaces, said fabric formed of yarns comprising extended chain polyethylene fibers, said yarns having a denier in the range from about 50 to about 5000;
• (ii) at least one waterproofing layer of a substantially clear plastic film, said plastic film having first and second surfaces;
• (iii) at least one adhesive layer bonding one of said surfaces of said base layer to one of said surfaces of said plastic film;
• (iv) the total weight of said composite fabric being in the range of from about 2 to about 30 oz/yd2 (67.8 to 1017 g/m2), and the total thickness of said composite fabric being in the range of from about 6 to about 60 mils (150 to 1500 μm);
• and
• (b) a retainer releaseably connecting said composite fabric to said building structure in such a manner as to cover said opening;
• said composite fabric layer having sufficient translucency so as to permit at least about 60% of light to enter said opening of said building structure, providing protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and providing a barrier to water.

A lightweight storm curtain for covering at least one opening in a building structure, such as windows, doors, sliding glass doors and the like, and for protecting said opening from hurricane force winds and associated flying objects, said storm curtain comprising:

• (a) a flexible composite fabric comprising:
• (i) a base layer of a woven fabric having first and second surfaces, said woven fabric formed of yarns comprising extended chain polyethylene fibers, said yarns having a denier in the range from about 650 to about 3000;
• (ii) a waterproofing layer of a substantially clear polyethylene film, said polyethylene film having first and second surfaces;
• (iii) an ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive layer bonding one of said surfaces of said base layer to one of said surfaces of said polyethylene film;
• (iv) the total weight of said composite fabric being in the range of from about 2 to about 30 oz/yd (67.8 to 1017 g/m2), and the total thickness of said composite fabric being in the range of from about 6 to about 60 mils (150 to 1500 μm);
• and
• (b) a retainer releaseably connecting said composite fabric to said building structure in such a manner as to cover said opening;
• said composite fabric layer having sufficient translucency so as to permit at least about 75% of light to enter said opening of said building structure, providing protection against high wind and impact from projectiles, and providing a barrier to water.