No matter if you plan to evacuate or shelter-in-place, taking some proactive steps will ensure the wellbeing of both yourself and your property.
As an example, impact windows can help protect against windborne debris from severe storms from smashing your home’s windows and doors. Installing shutters or nailing plywood panels onto the home can further lessen damage risks.
Impact Windows
Hurricane-force winds and debris blown at high speeds can damage both homes and businesses, potentially causing extensive wind, water and debris damage as well as injuries or deaths to family members or employees.
You can lessen this risk by replacing ordinary windows and doors with impact resistant ones.
Impact-resistant windows differ from regular windows by being constructed from laminated safety glass fused with an interlayer like polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Rather than breaking apart into dangerous shards of glass when struck, these instead crack into fine spiderweb patterns that pose less of a danger of injury than broken glass would do. Furthermore, impact-resistant windows are designed to withstand greater design pressures than regular ones.
Impact-rated windows also help maintain equilibrium in terms of internal and external pressure during storms. When traditional windows are breached, internal pressure increases rapidly which could lead to roof and structural collapses; with impact windows installed by professionals like the ones at Paradise Exteriors, pressure inside a building remains balanced keeping your home or business safe from collapse. They resist breakage while keeping internal pressure balanced thus protecting its structure.
Impact windows offer protection from debris while simultaneously offering resistance against would-be intruders.
Installed correctly by an experienced installation contractor, impact windows and shutters are an effective way to prepare your property for hurricane season.
In addition to lowering energy costs and providing long-term storm protection, impact rated windows often qualify for homeowner’s insurance discounts; so be sure to speak to your insurer about these potential savings!
Storm Shutters
Storm shutters are an effective way to defend against flying debris and high winds during a hurricane, providing your home with much-needed protection. Specialized to fit windows, doors and screened in areas like patios and lanais they offer cost savings by helping reduce repair and restoration expenses after the storm has passed.
Installing storm shutters should be part of any homeowner’s preparation in a hurricane prone area; especially important are those living close to coastlines.
There is an assortment of hurricane shutters available today, from inexpensive plywood sheets to more stylish and durable solutions like accordion shutters. All are designed to resist impact from debris and heavy wind while offering various colors, styles and sizes; you may even find some available at local big box hardware stores.
No matter the type of shutters you purchase, make sure they are ‘SBCCI approved’ or ‘ASTM approved’ as this indicates they have been thoroughly tested to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Furthermore, check that they are easy to open and close as well as mounted securely to window or door frames with proper mounting hardware.
If you can’t afford hurricane shutters in time for a storm to strike, an alternative is to board up all windows with 5/8 inch marine plywood cut to size and overlapped four inches, using straps or additional clips to fasten them to their frames. Furthermore, be sure to trim any trees or shrubs near your house to reduce roof damage during an attack.
If you decide to install hurricane shutters prior to a storm’s arrival, it is recommended to start during the Hurricane Watch phase of a forecast. This gives enough time for completion before high winds begin blowing in from outside your property.
Please make sure that all mechanisms and hardware work as they should.
Storm Panels
Hurricane storm panels are protective coverings designed to shield windows and openings in homes or buildings against the destructive forces of inclement weather.
Installed quickly and easily, they create a physical barrier against broken glass, water infiltration, structural damage, and structural instability – particularly useful in coastal regions with strong winds or flying debris, yet providing reliable protection even inland.
Made of strong aluminum or steel materials with pieces overlapping to strengthen strength and durability, storm panels can either be secured directly to a building’s facade or secured onto an outside frame which then secures directly over window or door openings. You can click here to learn more about this material.
Protective barriers come in several varieties of materials, from clear and tinted storm panels, to eyewear that is tinted. Clear storm panels offer uninterrupted views while tinted versions may reduce glare from sunlight that increases energy costs, fades furnishings and carpets and causes eye strain and other health issues.
Storm Doors
Storm doors provide much more than aesthetic value to your home; they protect the primary entry door from weather elements and extend its lifespan.
If you live in an extreme weather climate, having a storm door installed at your entryway could make all the difference between feeling vulnerable in your own home and feeling secure and safe in it. Storm doors protect front entryways from drafts while keeping out cold air during winter and hot air during summer, helping regulate indoor temperatures while cutting energy costs and saving on energy bills.
Storm doors come in various styles and sizes to fit into any home’s decor perfectly. Most models are constructed of aluminum or fiberglass material with a hard foam inner core for insulation against heat and cold, featuring either tempered or low-E glass panels for UV protection and enhanced energy efficiency. You can click the link: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/ to learn more.
Many come equipped with retractable screens to allow ventilation while simultaneously deterring insects from entering your house.
Storm doors can be purchased from window and door dealers in a range of materials and price points, as well as most major home improvement stores. When searching for retailers to purchase your storm door from, try selecting local retailers in order to avoid shipping costs while finding one with knowledgeable staff that can advise you on which option is most suitable for you. You may even request an estimate online in order to compare options and costs more easily.
