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Due to climate change, the severity of hurricanes is worsening in many parts of the world.[1] If y'all live along a coastline, it is reasonable for y'all to exist concerned about your windows. Consider a cheap DIY fix similar hurricane motion-picture show or plywood covers. Installing metal, plastic, or fabric over your windows, or replacing them with loftier-bear on drinking glass, volition protect your windows and qualify you for lower homeowner'due south insurance premiums at the same fourth dimension.

  1. 1

    Build plywood covers for your windows. Plywood is a inexpensive and popular choice for roofing windows. Selection plywood sheets that are at least v⁄viii inch (1.6 cm) thick. Measure the perimeter of all your windows. Cut the plywood so that it extends eight inches (twenty cm) by the window in every direction. Install the plywood covers earlier a tempest with bolts, screws, window clips, or barrel bolts every 12 inches (thirty cm).[2]

    • Attaching plywood to the window frame volition help forestall flying debris or force per unit area changes from breaking the glass.[iii]
    • When installing plywood, go someone else to assistance y'all lift the heavy panels.
    • Plywood is not upwardly to code in many areas, and is unlikely to lower your insurance premiums.

  2. 2

    Cover your window glass with hurricane film. Hurricane film is an affordable transparent plastic that you can exit in place yr-round. Mensurate the perimeter of your windowpanes and buy enough picture to cover each windowpane entirely. Peel the movie off its bankroll and stick information technology slowly to your windowpanes.[iv]

    • Hurricane moving-picture show does not preclude your window frame from bravado off, and might not fifty-fifty protect your window from breaking. However, it will protect you from drinking glass shards, and will keep the wind out of your house.
    • Homeowner's insurance premiums are not commonly lowered for hurricane picture.

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  3. 3

    Continue your windows closed during a tempest. Do not open your windows during a storm. Some people say this will lower the force per unit area in your house, but yous actually want to go along the pressure from the hurricane out of your domicile.[5]

  4. iv

    Do not put duct tape over your windows. At that place is lots of misinformation about hurricane safety, and one persistent myth is that putting record in an X or a grid over a window provides reinforcement. This is untrue! Duct tape will non provide protection from a hurricane.[6]

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  1. 1

    Order metal or plastic tempest shutters. Storm shutters, or panels, come in aluminum, steel, or reinforced plastic.[seven] Plastic is more than expensive, but will also let in light, then you won't be left in darkness if a hurricane blows out the lights. Depending on the kind of shutters y'all buy, you may demand panels the same size as your window, or panels that are several inches larger on every side.[eight]

    • All hurricane shutters have a width of 15.25 inches (38.7 cm).
    • Club shutters, H tracks, and F tracks from your local home construction shop or from a metals or plastics distributor.
    • If you are bolting your windows instead of installing tracks, you will not demand to buy H or F tracks.
    • Purchasing shutters volition usually lower your homeowner's insurance premium.
    • Plastic will run you most $eighteen sq. ft, while metal will fall effectually $11 sq. ft.

  2. 2

    Install your storm shutters or hire a professional to install them. If yous're doing it yourself, mensurate the window height and the shutter height. Subtract the window height from the panel height, then separate the result by two. Bolt the H track that number of inches or centimeters above the window opening. And then install the F track the full length of the panel beneath the H track.[9]

    • For instance, if your panels are 6 inches (15 cm) taller than your windows, install the H rail 3 inches (7.six cm) above the window.
    • Slide the shutters into the H rails. Attach the bottom section of the shutters to the F track with bolts.
    • Too the instructions, the bolts, and the wing nuts included with your purchase, you will need a screwdriver.

  3. 3

    Consider investing in fabric storm panels. Fabric storm panels are more than expensive than metal and plastic panels, just they come up with some advantages. One time they are mounted, they are very piece of cake and quick to put up, meaning it won't take you long after a storm warning to protect your windows. They're also lightweight, and so you tin put them upwards yourself, and they fold upward for storage.[10]

    • Notice a dealer online or at a home improvement retailer near you.
    • In most cases, your dealer will install the fabric panels for you. If not, follow the included instructions for installation.
    • Fabric panels are just every bit constructive equally metal or plastic shutters, and will besides authorize you lot for savings on insurance.
    • PVC fabric runs effectually $12 sq. ft, whereas Kevlar will toll yous nearly double that.

  4. 4

    Supercede your windows with high-impact glass. Impact-resistant glass is ii-paned glass with a protective layer in between them.[11] They toll more than regular windows, simply information technology will protect your home during a hurricane. It may also help lower your heating and air-conditioning bills.[12]

    • Purchasing high-impact drinking glass will likely lower your insurance premium.
    • Hire a professional person to give you all-new windows.

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  • Question

    How do you protect windows during a hurricane?

    Steve Linton

    Steve Linton is the President of Deltec Homes, a custom home edifice company in Asheville, North Carolina. With nearly 20 years of experience, he oversees all dwelling building projects for Deltec Homes. He specializes in hurricane-resistant homes, green habitation pattern, and sustainable building. Steve holds a BS in Structural Engineering from Cornell University and is a LEED Accredited Professional person.

    Steve Linton

    Custom Home Builder

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    Back up wikiHow by unlocking this adept answer.

    There are really 3 approaches you can take. The start is to attach plywood to the window frame. That will assist go along droppings from breaking the drinking glass and changing the force per unit area in your dwelling house. You can likewise have touch on-resistant windows installed—these are made from two sheets of glass with a protective layer between them. The third is to install a storm shutter that y'all can put on the window before a hurricane comes.

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  • Do not utilise duct tape or other household materials to protect your windows. They will non aid.

  • Keep windows airtight during a storm.

  • Keep your distance from windows during a storm, even if you have protections in place.

  • Ever evacuate if you are in an evacuation zone, even if your business firm is well-protected.

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