DIY Hurricane Window Preparation

Hurricanes are pretty scary. I know because I have seen some of them myself. Not a fun feeling knowing that there is a big and powerful storm right outside your window. However, there are things you can do to protect yourself from a hurricane. One of them is do hurricane window protection.

In order to do hurricane window preparation you need to really know what kind of windows you have. Some windows are already hurricane protected, and you have nothing to worry about. However, most houses are not hurricane protected. So you have to take steps for your hurricane window protection.

One of these steps is to cover your windows with tape, shutters/storm panels, or plywood. Storm panels/shutters, are coverings that were made to cover your windows. Usually they come from the home builder, and are made out of aluminum. All you have to do is take each piece and slide it into the outdoor panel. It is that easy.

Some people do not have time before a hurricane to go out, and buy storm panels or plywood. If that is the case for you, just quickly take thick masking tape, and put a giant "X" on your window. Mark it from one end of the window to the other end of the window. Hopefully, that will help your glass from breaking so easily. Also close all your drapes and blinds. Pull all your furniture away from the windows in case the windows break. Also put any breakables that you have near your windows away, or wrap them up in towels or blankets.

Never stay near windows near a hurricane. That is one of the most dangerous places to be in a hurricane. Try to stay in a room with no exterior walls. Stay in a room that is opposite the side of the hurricane winds if you can not stay in a room with no exterior walls.

Below are steps in how to DIY Hurricane window protection for applying plywood to your windows:

Materials Needed:

Plywood
Barrel Bolts
Drill
Saw

How To:

1. Measure your windows, and make sure you know how much plywood you will need to use to cover up all of your windows.

2. When buying plywood make sure it is more than 5/8 inches thick.

3. When you cut down your plywood to fit the windows make sure it is a tight fit.

4. In order to bolt the plywood to the windows, you will need 3 or 4 inch Barrel Bolts (one for every 12 inches of plywood).

5. Put the bolts into the plywood.

6. Put holes with a drill into the area you want the plywood to cover.

7. Lastly, put pieces together, and make sure it is as close as possible so that no wind can get through.