If you have recently moved to an area that is hit by hurricanes often, it can be hard to know what to do when the weather station alerts that one may be approaching your area becuase you have never experienced it before. In order to protect your home, the most important thing you can do is protect your windows so that flying debris does not crash through them and go into your home. The following guide walks you through three options to available to protect your windows during a hurricane.

Plywood

Large pieces of plywood can be great to use as a guard from flying debris during a hurricane. You want to be sure that you buy pieces of plywood that are large enough to fit over the frames of your windows. Measure your window frames before you go to the home improvement store to ensure that you purchase plywood that is large enough. Have someone help you hold the plywood in place and then use a drill to screw the plywood directly into the frame of your window. This will ensure the plywood is secure and that no debris can have contact with the glass.

Hurricane Shutters

Hurricane shutters are shutters that are designed to open and close to cover the glass in your windows to protect them during a hurricane. You can purchase hurricane shutters at many home improvement stores. The shutters are attached to your home using hinges. All you will need to do is hang the hinges to the edge of your window frame and then have someone hold a shutter flush against the other side of the hinges so that you can attach them to the shutter using a drill. Repeat the process with the other shutter and you should be able to easily open and close them when bad weather hits. There is sometimes a hook-and-eye lock on the side of the shutters that will face toward the inside your home. Be sure to latch the lock if there is one attached to the shutters.

Shatter-Resistant Window Film

There is a film that can be spread and attached to the window to give the glass extra protection to ensure that it does not shatter if something hits it during a hurricane. The film adheres to the glass when it is pressed against it. You can place the film on both sides of the glass for extra protection from flying debris.

It is important to make sure that you start taking steps to protect your windows well before the hurricane hits. It can take quite a bit of time to protect your windows, so get started on the process as soon as you can. If your windows do become damaged during the storm, consider having them replaced with impact-resistant windows. They will be able to stand up to anything a future hurricane hurdles at them. Speak with professionals like Gilkey Windows for more info.