Making Plywood Window Coverings for a Storm

Everyone knows you need to secure your home or business window's when a hurricane is coming. But over the years we have seen more and more people think that just using masking tape is going to do the trick. Well let me tell you straight out, MASKING TAPE WILL NOT STOP A HURRICANE.

There are only two good ways to secure your windows, and doors for that matter. One is to have hurricane rollup shutters made of steel and the other is to plywood the home. If you have the money or desire to have the security of the steel rollup shutters it is probably the best way to protect your home. Not only will it protect your home during a hurricane, but if you go on vacation you can secure your windows as well. However for most of us the answer is ½-inch plywood. And I do mean plywood, DO NOT USE OSB BOARD for window protection, it will only hold up to the weather for a limited amount of time.

Your first step is to measure the opening and cut your plywood ¼-inch smaller so that you have ⅛-inch space all around the plywood. This will make it easier to get in and out of the window opening.

Now it is critical that you make the plywood fit into the window opening, if you simply attach to the siding outside the window the wind can get behind the plywood and be pulled off the wall.

Next you need to figure out how you want to attach the plywood in the window opening. You can use a hurricane window clip from PLYLOX, I have never used them myself but the do look like they should do the job. For more information on them and where you can purchase them near you go to www.plylox.com. My personal option is to use Barrel Bolts, which are available at any hardware, lumberyard, or building supply store for about $ 2.00 give or take a little. Attach one in each corner of the plywood so that it will slide into the side of the window surround, it does not matter if the home is brick, wood, or hardie siding. If the window opening is a normal 3x5-foot opening this will be enough, however if the opening is larger you may need a barrel bolt between the two, or you can attach a piece of 2x4 to the plywood from the inside before you put it in the window to act as a stiffener.

Now put the plywood in place, mark where the bolt meets the window surround and drill a hole to fit the bolt. This will give you a secure window for years to come whenever a storm is threatening your home or business. Make sure to number all the plywood for the different windows and put an arrow pointing up so that the next time you need the protection it is quick and easy to know which window and which direction to put the plywood.

This is not something you can do once a storm is coming in, plywood becomes difficult to get and if it's raining it becomes dangerous to use the saw and drill. Make it a weekend project, and when you are finished store the wood where it will stay dry, and this will be a once in a lifetime project that I hope you never have to use.