How to Board Up Your Home to Prepare for a Hurricane

Florida is no stranger to extremely dangerous and catastrophic hurricanes. Remember Hurricane Michael, the Category 5 that hit Mexico Beach, Florida? It caused enormous damage. Communities in the path of these superstorms are still rebuilding even two years later. Tropical Storm Isaias just missed Tampa Bay this week. So, how do homes and businesses prepare before the next hurricane?

If you live and work in an area where storms are frequent, it is critical to prepare your home and office for each hurricane season, starting in June of each year. Aside from a storm plan, knowing how to board windows for a hurricane and when to board up windows before a hurricane are steps that can be prepared for long before a storm hits. If your home or business is damaged from a hurricane, flooding, high wind, fire, or mold, contact our Synergy Property Restoration’s emergency response team at 855-630-4585 for 24/7/365 service.

Boarding up your windows

Boarding up windows isn’t simply placing wood across a window if you want to protect your home with strong security. It is critical to know how to board up windows for a hurricane properly. This article will give you a quick and easy guide to boarding up your windows for a hurricane, so you are fully prepared for this hurricane season.

What you will need to board your windows

Any entryway is susceptible to significant and catastrophic damage during a storm. Windows are a primary point of concern because of the relatively weak barrier most of them provide between the outside elements and the precious inside.

Our quick and easy method of boarding windows from the inside out will provide a safety barrier that will provide your family with peace of mind during a storm, and protect your home or business from costly damage that can occur at the peak of a storm.

Supplies you will need to board your windows

Here are some necessary supplies that will work on any home or business siding.

• Durable plywood with a suggested thickness of ⅝”
• Washers (size large)
• Circular saw
• Corrosion-resistant screws
• Tape measure
• Drill with associated bits
• Bolts
• Plylox clips made from carbon or stainless steel to secure the plywood

Boarding windows with vinyl siding

One of the most popular types of siding in homes is vinyl. To secure this type of window, you will need your tape measure to measure and record the area of a window that is required to cover. Consider plywood panels that will cover the window up to four inches to protect the glass.

Find a stud in the siding and drill holes into the siding, not the wood or metal trim of the window. We suggest a spacing measurement of 12 to 16″ for drilling. Arrange the plywood, and after drilling into the siding, give it a good tug to make sure the plywood is secure.

Boarding windows with Stucco and Brick Siding

Despite the difference in building materials, the instructions to board your windows are primarily the same as a vinyl siding process. The difference is in the spacing of plywood panels, which is a suggested 15″ apart. You will also want to utilize bolts because the material is thicker and harder to drill with even the strongest bit (especially with brick).

You will want to use the plywood arrangement within the window frame (inside) instead of on the siding of the home. Measure and record the distance from frame to frame and cut the plywood to the measurements needed.

How to board windows from the inside

Boarding your windows on the outside and inside your home provides an extra layer of protection from torrential wind and downpour. Use glass window clips to secure the window and maintain the seal shut. Use the same method for boarding windows, depending on the interior material used in your home.

Contact our Synergy Property Restoration’s emergency response team at 855-630-4585, and we will find the right emergency response solution for you and your property.