Openings
The worst enemies of your home during a hurricane
Tiles from surrounding roofs banged up these shutters
There is another way to protect your roof and everything in it during a hurricane. Be sure all openings—doors (including sliding and garage doors) and windows—are protected. During a hurricane doors and windows take a pounding from intense wind and wind-borne debris. If a window or door is blown in, not only will your home and belongings get drenched, but it is very likely that your roof or part of it will blow off as well. If a large window or door is broken open on the wall facing the wind, the forces trying to blow your roof off will be doubled. Where you live is a factor, too. If you live on the coast or in an open area, your risks are much higher of being hit with flying debris than if you live inland and are protected by trees.
What kinds of protection devices should I be considering?
- Install tested and approved impact-resistant shutters. These products have passed high velocity impact tests before pressure testing. They will protect your home from flying objects and reduce the chances of damage from high pressure if a window or door is broken.
- An alternative to shutters is impact-resistant glass windows and sliding doors. These products are much heavier than normal windows and doors and have a strong plastic layer embedded in the glass. They have stronger frames, too. They can be expensive but offer round-the-clock protection and meet the same tests as shutters.
- Look for the IHPA logo (International Hurricane Protection Association) indicating the product complies with the Florida Building Code and the International Building Code.
- It’s important to remember that insurance companies will not give a Windstorm Insurance Discount unless all openings are protected by an approved product.
Tape is NOT adequate protection against hurricanes of any magnitude.
What are the misconceptions about hurricane protection products?
- Tape up your windows? Wrong. This does nothing. Hurricanes produce devastating forces requiring more than tape to protect against extreme pressures and flying debris.
- Apply window film? This does nothing to keep the window attached to the frame. So, it provides virtually no protection for your windows.
- Apply window/safety film? Window/Safety film allows some modest protection by holding glass together, preventing flying glass hazards, but does nothing to keep the glass attached to the window frame. Experts agree this is not adequate protection for homes in hurricane-prone communities.
Need More Info?
Questions?
