The Complete Guide to Windows and Doors in Hurricane Season
Hurricane season on your doorstep or already knocking, take measures to protect your house from potential destruction due to heavy winds and rainfall. The most endangered regions during hurricanes are doors and windows. In these regions, being ready can mean little maintenance or total wreckage. Essential procedures for getting your windows and doors ready for the hurricane season so that your house is protected as well your family are included in this comprehensive guide.
Why Preparing Your Windows and Doors is Important for Hurricane Season
Importance of Securing Windows and Doors
Among the most compromised structures during a hurricane are your windows and doors. High winds and flying debris could break windows or even tear them off, and doors may be too, if not well secured, causing serious structural damage and water intrusion with an increased risk of injury. Being proactive in reinforcing these areas would greatly reduce any chance of damage, while strengthening your house in case a storm hits. Proper preparation makes one confident and assured that all things possible have been done to protect the property and family.
How to Check Your Windows and Doors for Their Integrity
Check for Cracks and Damages
Check all the windows and doors for even the slightest presence of cracks, chips, or other forms of damage. Even the smallest crack will immensely weaken the glass or framing to a point where a hurricane force will easily break it. Thus, repair or replace any damaged or broken window and door before a storm hits.
Checks on Seal and Weatherstrip
Seals and weatherstripping around the windows and doors tend to deteriorate over time and allow both water and wind into your home. Make sure these components are in good condition and replace them if needed to ensure they are tight.
Check the Strength of Door Frames
The frames of your windows and doors should be solid and attached to your home structure in such a way that can resist hurricane forces. Reinforce or replace any rotten, warped, or loose-connection frames.
Best Ways for Window-Door Reinforcement
Install Hurricane Shutters for Maximum Protection
Hurricane shutters are considered among the most dependable forms of windows and doors protection. These shutters are made in such a way that they can cover a whole window or door with a solid barrier against flying debris and high wind. The types of hurricane shutters vary, such as:
Roll-down Shutters: Most can be easily deployed using a button for efficient protection and convenience.
- Accordion Shutters: They open from either side of the window and are a low-cost, long-lasting shutter.
- Panel Shutters: Panel shutters, made out of steel, aluminum or polycarbonate, are removable and provide direct protection.
Each style of shutter comes with its own benefits; therefore, choose one depending on your needs and budget.
Impact Resistant Windows and Doors Upgrade Benefits
Laminated glass is used in impact-resistant windows and doors which can withstand hurricane-force winds blowing debris around. In the case of breakage, the interlayer holds broken parts together, stopping breakage from causing destruction and keeping your house safe from wind and flooding. By improving windows and doors one may incur additional costs, however this would guarantee safety in case of any impending disaster while also giving a boost to the worth of one’s house in a longer time scale.
Adding Extra Security with Hurricane Window Film
Hurricane window film is also one of the cheaper methods which can be used to reinforce your windows. To be more precise, hurricane window film is a transparent sheet that sticks to the glass in order to prevent it from breaking down when anything hits it. Although they are not as impact-resistant as the previously mentioned shutters or windows, hurricane window films have their usage for increased protection when accompanied with one of these alternatives.
Securing Your Doors
Doors are equally vulnerable as windows when it comes to hurricanes. To keep them properly secured, try the following:
- Install resilient hinges and deadbolts: replace the existing hinges and deadbolt locks with ones made from sturdier materials to keep your doors intact during hurricanes.
- Apply additional strengtheners like braces or bars: they hold the door closed even when strong winds are pressing against them.
- Put more screws or metal anchors into the frame of the door to reinforce it against any storm that tries to force its way in.
Must-Know Tips in Preparing for Hurricane Season
Trim Trees and Secure Outdoor Items
Overhanging branches and loose outdoor items are only projectiles waiting to happen in hurricane forces of wind. Trim trees around your house, and tie down or bring inside outdoor furniture, grills and other objects that may fly off and cause damage.
Building a Useful Emergency Kit
Create a disaster supply kit with water, ready-to-eat food, medication, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit. All family members should know where it is and how to use each thing in it.
Making an Evacuation Plan Complete
If for any chance they instruct you to evacuate your home on account of hurricane, you will have to do it immediately. You should have a good route planned well before hand and talk to all family to review it. Also, put all important documents like insurance papers and ID in a portable water-resistant bag.
Reviewing and Updating Your Insurance Coverage
Initially, look through your homeowner’s insurance policy to confirm that you have sufficient coverage for hurricane related loss. In case you reside in an area that is prone to flooding, think about incorporating flood insurance because majority of the policies do not cover flood damage most times.
Monitoring Weather Reports
During the hurricane season, stay informed about weather conditions and regularly check forecasts and updates from reliable sources. Thereby, early warnings will give you time for preparation before a storm reaches you.
Conclusion: Prepare and Safeguard Your Home with These Tips
It’s a crucial task that needs performing so as to avert storms from damaging our properties or claims. This can be achieved by inspecting the state of doors and windows then reinforcing them with shutters, impact-resistant glass or any other means available; all these would serve in lowering possible damage resulting from the hurricane. You will thus manage your house well and face any such storms with more confidence when you apply this advice.
