Windows for Hurricane: After the roof, the next part of the home that is most likely to get damaged by a hurricane is the window. They are typically designed to remain open unless in rainfall seasons or extreme cold. This part of the property is prone to cave-ins under the pressure of strong wind. Debris can also cause the glass to shatter. Even category one can be strong because the wind can get up to 90 mph.
For people living in places that are susceptible to storms, it’s essential to know how to protect your home and windows particularly. Here, we are not talking about protecting property just to avoid the cost of replacing or repairing damage caused by a storm. This is also about protecting the lives of people staying around because a window damaged by a storm can easily become a dangerous missile.
But while knowing how to protect your home is highly important, knowing when to protect is equally important. You don’t want to be caught in a situation where incoming storms happen off guard. Therefore, before hurricane service, you should prepare your property. Getting prepared early will ensure that you do the job properly, and it will cost you less than when the storm happens and wears you down.
Check the Seals:
Checking the seals is one of the first and foremost preparations to make when it comes to protecting your home from hurricanes. Check your windows seal and doors carefully to ensure air or water are not let in.
Keep in mind that seals can get weak over time, especially when the storm starts. Taking your time to reseal your doors and windows can prevent water from seeping into your property and can cause expensive damage when a storm hits.
Skip the Tape:
Many people believe the myth that, when you put tape on your window in an X shape, it will prevent and prepare your home when hurricane season arrives. But frankly, this is not actually the case.
It’s correct that applying tape to your windows can prevent it from shattering into tiny glass shards, but this isn’t all about window taping because even after applying tape, your window glass might likely break not in small pieces but in large pieces. This also causes damage as well.
These large pieces can sometimes be more dangerous than smaller ones, especially if they are sent flying during a storm. When small glass pieces touch you, they may likely only cause small damage, but imagine when the large ones hit.
Keep Windows Closed:
Some people believe that cracking a window during a hurricane is a good idea to protect the home from a storm. Some people even have the impression that this will help relieve pressure and prevent damage. This is not actually true, that’s why we mentioned checking the seal as the first tip to prevent a home from a hurricane.
Once the windows are breached, the pressure will build up in the home, this can lead to worse damage to the roof, walls, and the other areas of the house more than what you will experience if the doors and other openings are tightly sealed.
Get Rid of Potential Projectiles:
You don’t want to see your beautiful window affected by a storm. One way to prevent this from happening and prepare is to eliminate all potential projectiles around the house.
Take outdoor furniture inside, clear branches and loose foliage, and trim the trees around. The fewer objects are in the yard, the less likely an item will become airborne and enter your home through the window or affect the neighboring windows.
Install Storm Shutters:
Storm shutters are among the effective solutions in preparing windows for a storm and also protecting them from damage. These shutters are attached to the home permanently and all you need to do is to pull them into the house when a storm starts approaching.
Storm shutters are a simple solution, but also highly expensive, and it’s possible you may not like their appearance when you see them around the house.
Apply Plywood:
Plywood can be applied to windows before a storm. This will protect the glass and reduce damage. What’s more, it’s an inexpensive solution compared to other protection measures.
The only downside of plywood is that it takes a lot of work to be done and is only applied at the last minute since you don’t want to have plywood on your windows all year round. It will prevent light from entering the house also which slowly means extra darkness when you are out of power.
Install Hurricane-Rated Windows:
Perhaps if you think all the above-mentioned steps aren’t for you, you may want to consider investing in hurricane-rated windows. These are unlike storm shutters and plywood that will affect your home look. Their appearance will detract from your house.
They are also always ready if you are in need of them so once you purchase them, there is no need to go the extra mile when a storm is approaching. By the time you hear the news, you will get the work done and have some time to rest, knowing your home is fully secured.
They are specially designed to withstand even the strongest winds, high-pressure levels, and projectiles. They come in different sizes and styles, so you get to choose ones that will suit your home and enhance its exterior, keeping you, your family and the entire property and neighborhood safe.
Read https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/benefits-installing-storm-windows-your-home-wisco-roofing-windows-zdloc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&utm_campaign=share_via to learn more about the benefits of installing storm windows in your home.
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Conclusion:
Once you hear a storm is approaching, the first step you take is to protect your home. Some of the ways we mentioned include reinforcing the windows with plywood, which offers fast defense.
Alternatively, you can install hurricane-rated windows. If you are on a comfortable budget and depending on the level of protection you seek, you can consider using rolling security shutters.
Use the tips mentioned in this article to preserve the structural integrity of your home, especially during severe weather. Remember, taking precautions not only protects lives but also cuts down the cost of repair.
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