How to Prepare Windows for a Hurricane

A broken window during a hurricane is an open pathway to allow debris into your home. Preparing windows for a hurricane can be done by the homeowner with a little muscle and a lot of knowledge. Keep your windows intact during a hurricane and reduce damage to your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Types of Window Protection

1. Compare the different types of window protections available, from automated hurricane shutters to plywood.

2. Determine the type of shutter you want; permanent or temporary, do-it-yourself or factory installed.

3. Consider other options, such as accordion shutters, metal awnings, colonial shutters or kevlar-type fabric protections.

Consider the Total Cost

4. Install plywood for the least expensive way to protect your windows; additional costs might be delivery charges and labor for installation.

5. Install commercial metal panels, accordion shutters or automated roll-up shutters, which require professional installation and the charges that go with installation. These are also the most expensive shutters on the market.

6. Get an estimate for high impact glass if you are just building or planning on replacing windows. Although this is the most expensive option for hurricane protection, chances are this type of glass is only about 25% more expensive than regular windows. Another benefit is that your state may offer a price rebate and homeowners insurance rates may be reduced.

Homeowner Installations

7. Buy at least ½-inch thick plywood or at least 7/16th inch OSB (oriented strand board); the thicker it is the more protection it offers.

8. Measure the plywood carefully before cutting.

9. Drill holes in the actual structure of your home and the plywood panels.

10. Mark the panel so you'll know which window will be covered with that piece.

11. Anchor the wood securely to the structure of your home using permanent anchors. Repetitive use of nails or screws and their removal, in the same place year after year, will weaken it and could cause the plywood to fly off in heavy winds.

12. Install metal panels or accordion-style shutters according to the manufacturer instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove the shutters after the storm has passed, as this promotes air movement and reduces the chance of mold build up.
• Store shutters and wood where it is high and dry when not in use.
• Plywood and metal shutters are heavy, so enlist someone to help you install them.
• Unpainted wood shutters deteriorate if left on too long; they are exposed to rain and ultraviolet rays.
• Avoid using nails to attach shutters, instead use long screws.
• Always have one door un-shuttered as soon as the storm passes for emergency fire and rescue to enter.

Resources

• The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is a very user friendly site
• Great information about window protection can be found here.
• Find loads of hurricane information from the emergency management division.