Protecting Your Windows
If you board windows properly, you stand a better chance of protecting your home from the storm. This may help reduce the chance that dangerous glass shards will fly through your house.
Storm shutters provide the best protection, but are pricey and usually need to be installed by a professional. Boarding up windows when a storm is on the way, can help, too. Make sure doors have several locking mechanisms so they don’t fly open; deadbolts are best. And it’s important to secure windows and doors at all sides of the home-not just the one side.
Prepare for boarding by purchasing sufficient plywood-either 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch. Also, purchase enough 1/4 inch machine screw anchors; you will need at least six (6) anchors per sheet of plywood. Keep in mind that plywood, anchors, and screws will be in heavy demand just before a hurricane. Stock up early.
Cut the plywood to fit each window and sliding glass door. Mark each panel to identify the window it will fit. Next, sink the anchors into the exterior walls around each window. Drill holes into the plywood; the holes should match the position of the anchors on the wall. Now you are ready to put up the board, matching the holes to the anchors. Tighten the screws through the plywood and into the anchors. The wood should be flush against the wall and firmly in place. Pre-installing screw anchors around openings will speed up the installation. Panels made from steel, aluminum, plastic, reinforced fabric, or composite materials are more expensive than plywood.
View YouTube video instructions on boarding your windows.
Storm shutters provide the best protection, but are pricey and usually need to be installed by a professional. Boarding up windows when a storm is on the way, can help, too. Make sure doors have several locking mechanisms so they don’t fly open; deadbolts are best. And it’s important to secure windows and doors at all sides of the home-not just the one side.
Boarding Windows
Prepare for boarding by purchasing sufficient plywood-either 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch. Also, purchase enough 1/4 inch machine screw anchors; you will need at least six (6) anchors per sheet of plywood. Keep in mind that plywood, anchors, and screws will be in heavy demand just before a hurricane. Stock up early.
Cut the plywood to fit each window and sliding glass door. Mark each panel to identify the window it will fit. Next, sink the anchors into the exterior walls around each window. Drill holes into the plywood; the holes should match the position of the anchors on the wall. Now you are ready to put up the board, matching the holes to the anchors. Tighten the screws through the plywood and into the anchors. The wood should be flush against the wall and firmly in place. Pre-installing screw anchors around openings will speed up the installation. Panels made from steel, aluminum, plastic, reinforced fabric, or composite materials are more expensive than plywood.
View YouTube video instructions on boarding your windows.