With the devastating winds that a hurricane can bring, it’s no wonder why so many people are looking for ways to reinforce their homes. Safeguarding your home is a must even if you’re located in an inland area. When hurricanes occur, they often bring a lot of torrential rains that can overwhelm dams, and they’re considered a threat to many citizens near coastal areas.
When you’re facing devastating winds, you should look for ways to safeguard your home. Start with the window, which is considered a vulnerable part of your property, and consider installing the engineered types that are known to be impact-resistant.
Although some people are relying on traditional methods that have been passed down by the older members of the family over the years, not many are effective. One of these misconceptions is to tape the windows to avoid shards from flying out.
It’s a great idea and at first glance, many even consider this as a logical solution. This method is going to fail and doesn’t provide the security that many people are looking for. Many experts are now advising against this because by taping your windows, this is going to create larger shards of glass that can actually injure the homeowners.
Debunking this Dangerous Belief
The idea of putting tape in an X pattern on the window before a storm is often a waste of time because it’s not going to work. A strong wind brought by a hurricane is still going to damage and shatter the glass into dangerous fragments, and the tape does nothing to prevent this.
When there’s a storm, the flying debris can impact a standard glass, putting immense pressure on it. There are high winds that increase the risk of injuries, and the tape won’t be able to stop them from entering the home. When this is compromised, it is going to cause further structural damage that can put the entire home at risk.
Why Taping Windows Became Popular?
In the past, safety guides for hurricanes include being prepared by taping the windows to reinforce them. This practice has spread through word of mouth and many people were able to adopt this without questioning its effectiveness. However, many hurricanes are powerful, and their winds are not something strips can handle.
If your window glass is not made up of hurricane-resistant materials, know that it’s just going to be a waste of money and time to tape them. This myth persists today because it’s quite simple, and many people can apply this quickly. It’s also way cheaper but think about how these tapes are going to affect your curb appeal. They will leave streaks that are hard to clean, and they don’t protect your home, so why do it?
What are the Alternatives to Consider?
Instead of focusing on ineffective strategies, many homeowners should focus on a solution that will genuinely strengthen their homes. One of the best things that they can do is get a hurricane-resistant window that’s engineered to withstand flying projectiles brought by strong winds. This specific window is unlike the standard glass because it’s made up of several layers of materials that will stay intact even if struck.
You might also want to get the shutters that are sturdy covers that provide a very strong barrier against debris, and they essentially prevent the glass from shattering. Various types are available, and they include roll-downs that offer a level of protection that far exceeds that of the tape. More about the impact-resistant glass when you go to this website.
What’s the Role of Plywood?
Although a lot of people have relied on plywood for years, the prices are currently increasing because this material is also utilized for home improvements. Installing and cutting the boards will mean screwing them into place, and your homeowners’ association will often force you to pay for the changes that you’re making in your home. Also, this material isn’t the most durable during storms because it might not be able to resist the impact of flying debris.
What you need are hurricane windows that are going to make your home look more beautiful and offer energy-efficiency that can improve the temperature in your home. With the insulation effect, you can save more on your energy bills, and it’s a one-time expense. You’re essentially investing in a more permanent solution that can increase your curb appeal.
How Wind Pressure Affects Your Home
Know that once the wind enters your home because the window has failed to protect you from it, it’s going to create an immense pressure that can topple older walls. It will also create an uplift that will push the roof and damage everything, so this is why you need to secure all the openings in your home.
Aside from the windows, you also need to reinforce your doors and other openings. Seal them around the edges because once they fail, the storm is going to destabilize your house, and the strongest categories that you can find out more here https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php can knock down your property in the blink of an eye. Strengthen the weak points to prevent catastrophic destruction and keep the home intact.
The Dangers of Misinformation in Hurricane Preparedness
Do some research online if you’re unsure about certain information because being overly reliant on myths can result in dangerous consequences. A tape is not enough to protect the glass and if you’re going to skip other effective measures, it can leave your home vulnerable to damage. Many organizations are now emphasizing the importance of using tested measures like the installation of impact-resistant glass to effectively fend off hurricanes, and you may want to call them for more information.
Preparing for Hurricane Season the Right Way
Many homeowners should also look beyond window protection during a storm. Instead, they also need to reinforce their doors and have their emergency kits ready, so the families can handle power outages. They should also stock up on non-perishable food and gallons of water for better preparation.
Stay informed with the news and listen to reliable resources and know when to evacuate. Reinforce your home as much as possible so you don’t need to go out. Proper planning will help you survive the worst of the storms so make sure to fortify your home as much as possible.
