How to approach boarding up windows for a hurricane

As preparing for extreme weather, boarding up windows for hurricanes is a common way to protect your home and property from wind and debris damage. Here are some steps to follow:

It’s important to follow all safety precautions when boarding up windows, including wearing protective gear such as gloves and eye protection. Additionally, make sure to follow local building codes and regulations for boarding up windows during a hurricane.

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Does boarding up windows help during hurricanes?

Yes! Boarding up windows can help protect your home and property during a hurricane. By covering windows with wooden boards or shutters, you can prevent wind and debris from entering the home and causing damage. This can reduce the risk of injury, property damage, and further expenses associated with repairs.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that boarding up windows is not a guarantee of protection. Strong winds and flying debris during a hurricane can still cause significant damage to a building, even if the windows are boarded up. Therefore, it’s recommended to evacuate if instructed to do so by local authorities, and seek safe shelter if possible.

What is the best way to board up windows for hurricane

The best way to board up windows for hurricanes depends on the specific needs and circumstances of your home and property. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

Use the right materials

Use durable materials such as marine plywood or hurricane shutters that are specifically designed for this purpose. Avoid using materials like cardboard or particleboard that may break or become damaged easily.

Measure windows accurately

Make sure to measure each window accurately so that the boards or shutters fit snugly and securely over the opening.

Install securely

Use screws or other fasteners that are long enough to penetrate deep into the window frame to ensure a secure fit.

Cover all openings

Cover all windows and other openings, including skylights and doors, to protect against wind and flying debris.

Use proper tools

Use the proper tools such as a drill, saw, and screwdriver to install the boards or shutters.

Seek professional help

If you are unsure about the best way to board up your windows, consider seeking the assistance of a professional contractor who has experience in this type of work.

It’s important to follow all local building codes and regulations when boarding up windows for a hurricane and to follow all safety precautions to ensure the protection of you and your property.

Do I need to board up all windows for a hurricane? 

It’s not necessarily required to board up all windows for a hurricane, but it can be a good idea to do so, especially if you live in an area that is prone to strong winds and severe weather. Boarding up windows can help protect your home and property from wind and debris damage, and can reduce the risk of injury, property damage, and further expenses associated with repairs.

However, it’s also important to consider factors such as the age, location, and construction of your home, as well as the specific needs and circumstances of your property. For example, if your home is located in an area that is not prone to strong winds or if it has impact-resistant windows, boarding up all windows may not be necessary.

Ultimately, the decision to board up windows for a hurricane should be based on an assessment of the specific needs and circumstances of your home and property, as well as local building codes and regulations, and guidance from local authorities and meteorologists.

Should I board up windows for a category 3 hurricane?

Boarding up windows during a Category 3 hurricane can help protect your home and property from wind and debris damage. Category 3 hurricanes typically have sustained winds of 111-129 mph and can cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

If you live in an area that is at risk of a Category 3 hurricane, it’s a good idea to take precautions to protect your home and property, including boarding up windows. This can reduce the risk of injury, property damage, and further expenses associated with repairs.

It’s important to follow local building codes and regulations when Boarding up windows for hurricanes and to follow all safety precautions to ensure the protection of you and your property. Additionally, if instructed to evacuate by local authorities, it’s essential to do so to ensure your safety.

How to board up windows

With some plywood slats and minor tools, you can board up and secure windows. This method only covers window boarding from the outside; although windows can be boarded up from the inside, it is not as effective. Here’s how to do it and what you need to do it.

Tools and materials

• Tape measure
• Circular saw
• Permanent marker
• Pencil
• Cordless drill
• Drill bits
• Level
• Plywood
• Fasteners

Before starting

Safety precautions: Wear gloves, safety glasses, and other protective equipment. The steps for installing hurricane panels over windows are similar regardless of the type of window in your home. Ask for assistance in installing the panels.

Depending on the material your home was built with, you will need different types of tools:

If your home is made of concrete, with brick siding, you will need to use concrete drill bits and ramp screws to hold the panels.

If the house has vinyl siding, you will need to use a different spacing to attach the panels so that they are fastened to the structure of the house and not to the weak siding.

Step 1: Measurements

Start by measuring the windows with a tape measure, level, pencil, and paper (as traditional as possible), or use a digital laser meter for accuracy. Measure the height and width of the home windows. Add 8 inches to each measurement to allow the plywood panels to overlap the window 4 inches on each side. The panels should be no less than 5/8 inch, or 3/4 inch, thick.

Step 2: Cutting process

Once obtained the dimensions during the first step, use a circular or rail saw to cut the sashes to size, considering the overlap. For windows that are larger than a sheet of plywood, use a 2×4 board to join two panes together.

Attach the 2×4 board to both pieces of plywood at the joint with 2 ½-inch screws spaced every 4 to 6 inches. Label each window so you know which ones should go in which window.

Step 3: Installation

Mark on the wall where you will install the windows, using pencil, tape measure, and level. With a straight line 2 inches from each edge of the casement. If you have vinyl siding, draw the line 3¼ inches from the edges to make sure the fastener touches the frame surrounding the window when you install the panels.

Now if mark locations along the line at 12-inch intervals and at each corner. Drill and tap holes at each mark, in the wood, starting with one size (smaller number) than you are installing.

Step 4: Prepare the window

Have an assistant present to make sure it is aligned properly. Mark the corners of the panel on the house surface with a pencil and remove the panel.

Now use the drill to drill pilot holes (the smaller ones). If you are doing it in brick, use concrete drill bits and start from the smallest number to the largest. For vinyl, make sure you are drilling into the studs that frame the window casing.

Step 5: Install the panels

Use 3/8-inch lag screws to fasten the large panels, ¼-inch, and 2 ½-inch if they are small.

Mount the panels back onto the window, using the corner marks made in the previous step. Use a drill to finish opening the pilot holes and screw them until they are secure.

The panels can be reused if you live in a hurricane warning area, so not only do you recycle them, but you already have the calibrated markings for those panels in the future.

You can paint the panels to protect them from the elements, either with paint, sealant, or exterior-grade bitumen. You can also install clips on the panels that make it easy to insert and remove the boards, eliminating the need to attach the panels directly to the window frame each time you want to install them. Hurricane window clips are an especially good idea for homes with vinyl siding, as they eliminate the need to fill in holes left by fasteners.

Written by Vanessa Gallanti. May 8, 2023

Enthusiast about planning, project management, construction materials and technology, and construction. A civil engineer from Los Andes University and a content writer for Kukun.