Protecting your home is a must all the time, but it becomes more important when hurricane season approaches. Low-quality windows and doors are vulnerable to breakage from wind-borne debris, which can result in water damage and pressure changes inside your home.
Boarding up windows can serve as a great alternative for those who don’t have hurricane shutters. Nobody wants to experience the great Galveston hurricane history, making it essential to do all the necessary preparation once the weather forecast announces that there is a hurricane approaching soon. Installing the right plywood boards can reduce the risk of property destruction.
This article will walk you through how you can board your windows and other hurricane preparation tips.
Essential Tools and Materials for Boarding Up Windows
Before you start the whole window boarding process, you need to prepare the right tools and materials. Preparing everything prior to it will ensure a smooth and efficient job, especially when working against the clock of a really bad hurricane that might be fast approaching. Some of the tools needed include:
- Plywood Selection
Plywood is affordable and readily available, easy to use making it the right option for boarding up windows. It’s best to use 5/8-inch-thick, exterior-grade (CDX) plywood at a minimum. This plywood type provides superior impact strength than oriented strand board. Ensure the plywood you choose is free from knots and wraps so it will offer the best protection.
- Fasteners and Hardware
Working with the right fasteners is also important to secure a good installation. Choose corrosion-resistant screws that are long enough to penetrate at least two inches into the frame. Some good choices are galvanized pan heads or lag screws because they have flat-bottomed heads that don’t sink into and weaken the plywood. If your home is masonry, it’s best to use 4-inch barrel bolts to fit plywood into the window openings.
- Safety Equipment
When preparing for a hurricane, safety should be your main priority. Some equipment to ensure this include gloves to protect your hand, safety glasses for eye protection against debris and dust, a dust mask to prevent you from inhaling sawdust, and sturdy shoes so you don’t slip and fall.
Hurricane Prep: Storm Safety Checklist
Making proper preparation when it comes to boarding your windows is crucial to ensure they remain safely fastened and secured against high winds.
- Measuring Windows
Start by measuring the windows that need protection and writing down their width, height, opening, and frame. You should add at least one to each dimension to ensure the plywood will extend beyond the window frame on both sides. This will provide a secure fit and better protection.
- Marking Stud Locations
Look for stud locations and mark them as having a proper board attachment. Find the nailheads on the sides that indicate the stud locations. If they are not visible, you may need to use a drill and bit to find them. Mark the studs close to the side and underneath the window. Plywood that is only fastened to trim or sheathing will not provide enough protection needed and may end up becoming a hazard in strong winds.
- Cutting and Preparing Plywood Panels For Window Boarding
After measuring the windows and making the stud locations, you can move on and start cutting and preparing the plywood panels.
- Proper Cutting Techniques
To have the ideal cut, use a circular saw for straight cuts and a jigsaw if you want any curve cuts. If you don’t have a circular saw and you need quality, you can use one of the closest circular saws you have at home.
- Labeling Panels for Easy Installation
Once you are done cutting the plywood, label each panel and indicate the opening that it will cover. Add an arrow that shows which ends it’s going into. This might seem insignificant, but truthfully it will save you time during the installation, especially if you are working on a tight schedule and the storm is fast approaching. If you have plans of reusing the panels, prime and paint all the surfaces and edges so they won’t decay in the long run.
Step-by-Step Window Boarding Process
With your materials at hand and you have already measured the windows, it’s time to dive in and start the boarding process, usually, this isn’t a one-man job, so you need to get a partner for success.
- Positioning the Plywood
Begin by positioning the plywood panel against the opening of the window. Make sure you position it correctly with the marked side facing out and the arrow pointing up. As mentioned earlier, the panel should be taller than the window frame on both sides at least one inch.
- Drilling Pilot Holes
While you hold the plywood in position, drill pilot holes through it and into the frame 16 inches each. Every hole should be 1 or 2 inches away from the panel so they won’t split. These holes are what will help your screws and the installation process more efficiently.
- Securing Panels with Screws
Use a cordless drill or driver or even impact driver to drive the corrosion-resistant screws through the holes and into the frames. Ensure all the screws have penetrated at least two inches into the frame to have a tight connection. Work with caution around the panel while making sure that the edges are secured firmly.
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Conclusion
Whenever we remember the great Galveston history, the first thing that comes to our mind is to ensure that we don’t experience a similar incident. To avoid this, especially if you live in areas susceptible to natural disasters, you need to protect your home, and one way to do so is by boarding up your windows.
You can take this as a do-it-yourself project, and also, if you have a hectic schedule or you want someone who has experience handling similar projects, you can hire professionals to do the work for you. The general idea is to ensure your home is highly secured for whatever the weather throws out. Remember, your safety should always be the priority.