Hurricanes are powerful storms that can cause significant damage to homes and businesses alike. When the storm strikes, it’s essential to consider how best to protect your windows from hurricane-force winds. The key is finding a balance between safety and cost-effectiveness. If you have time, try these steps before hurricanes approach:
Clear outdoor furniture or anything else that could become airborne during the storm:
Your windows rarely break due to the sheer air pressure. This mostly happens when stuff outside your house takes to the air. This is why you should clear furniture and other objects away from your windows. This also includes taking down any storm shutters or coverings that are no longer in good condition.
Navigating through the realm of hurricane preparedness involves more than just securing belongings; it’s about ensuring the safety and resilience of homes and businesses in the face of nature’s fury. It’s not just about weathering the storm; it’s a proactive approach to mitigating damage, implementing structural reinforcements, and fostering a sense of security. As we delve into the various strategies for hurricanes storm protection, we uncover the importance of impact-resistant windows, reinforced roofing, and proper landscaping practices, each contributing to a fortified defense against the destructive forces of hurricanes. Each protective measure becomes a shield, offering peace of mind and bolstering the resilience of communities in the face of these powerful natural events.
Build plywood covers for your windows:
This is probably one of the cheapest options on the list. If you want your glass windows to survive the hurricane, the least you can do is to install a plywood cover. If you don’t have any plywood, some old boards will do. Build a cover that can be easily locked into place and leave ample room for ventilation to reduce the risk of damage due to condensation buildup.
Put up window covers on your glass windows:
Temporary window protection is made by attaching heavy-duty plastic sheeting over the outside pane of an existing storm window or sliding door duct tape or masking tape. This requires more work but has better results than simply putting plywood panels in front of each exterior-side pane. The downside is that it doesn’t allow natural light inside your home during daylight hours which isn’t very convenient when preparing food in the kitchen. Another downside is that the plastic sheeting can become loose during high winds, which increases the risk of injury.
Install impact-resistant glass windows:
This is where you want to invest if you are concerned about protecting your property from hurricanes and storms in general. Impact-resistant window films or laminate may be able to reduce damage without having to replace your existing glass panes with new ones. A good option would be installing tempered safety glass because this kind of material has a greater chance of holding up against natural disasters better than regular toughened glass. However, it also tends to cost more money than plywood covers.
Think about hurricane shutters:
If you have a low budget for hurricane protection, consider using temporary storm shutters to cover your windows when needed. You can buy them from many hardware stores at low prices. These come in different options, and here are a few of the most popular ones:
Accordion shutters: Accordion shutters are the most common type of storm shutter. They slide open and closed on a track system, similar to how an accordion is opened or closed.
Roll-down shutters: Roll-down window covers roll up during normal weather conditions but can be easily unrolled when strong winds approach. This protects against flying debris such as glass shards from broken windows. When rolled down, they look like metal blinds that close horizontally across your exterior wall space.
Panel shutters: Panel shutters come in various sizes and work like sturdy doors instead of regular window panes. The solid panels cover vertical surfaces with no gaps between each panel, making them ideal for areas where wind speeds could reach dangerous levels, such as near coastal regions or mountain tops.
Blinds and heavy drapes: This is a practical option for homes with existing window coverings such as blinds or curtains. However, it’s essential to make sure the materials are durable enough to withstand hurricane winds before you decide on using them during natural disasters. Bring in professional help if in doubt because not all fabrics can hold up against extreme weather conditions like hurricanes.
Install shutters permanently: If your home has large glass windows and doors along with smaller surface areas of vulnerable glass panes, consider installing permanent storm shutter covers made from metal, wood, fiberglass, or painted plywood strips. These solutions provide better protection than temporary options but require more work and money than other alternatives.
Hurricane fabrics:
You can also choose to install specific fabrics explicitly made to cover windows during hurricanes. These protective films stretch over the glass surface and act as a strong tarp or tent. They come in various designs, including bamboo-style textiles, which may be more suitable if you want your home interior to maintain its natural atmosphere while still protecting against storm damage.
Regardless of what kind of protection service you choose, make sure you take preventative measures before hurricane season starts again, so you don’t have any unnecessary repairs after every new storm passes by. Consider using safety nets around pools and other water surfaces because these areas tend to become death traps when winds start picking up speed due to flying debris such as branches from trees at high velocities.
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