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Storm Readiness

Storm Readiness

Always Protecting Families

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Why impact resistance?

The true dangers of wind.

You know that hurricane winds can cause tremendous property loss, but what you may not know is that a large amount of damage is actually caused by wind-borne debris (such as tree limbs, street signs, roof tiles, etc.) and not the wind itself. Debris penetrates windows and doors, allowing wind to enter a home. This creates significantly more pressure inside the house than the structure is designed to withstand, which often results in lifting the roof or pushing out the walls. Even if the roof and walls remain intact, the rain and water damage from a broken window can destroy the interior and leave a home uninhabitable.

How to Prepare.

Six questions to help you stay safe from a storm

  • Will taping my windows keep them secure?
    Taping your windows will not strengthen the glass or help prevent your windows from breaking, and offers NO protection against flying debris. It will just have the window break into larger pieces, which could actually be worse, because the larger shards could be more dangerous flying around than if the window shatters into tiny shards.
  • Does opening a window relieve pressure inside my home?
    It’s a myth that slightly opening a window will relieve the pressure inside your home. If you let the air in, it can actually put more pressure on your roof and walls, causing damage to the entire home.
  • Do I only need to board windows and doors facing the water?
    Hurricane-force winds come at your home from every direction, as do the tornadoes they often spawn. This means that no window or door is safe during a storm. The small rocks, tree limbs, and other debris blowing around and spinning with the storm are just as likely to hit a window facing the water as they are to hit a window not facing the water.
  • Should I push back on a bowing door or window?
    Despite your best efforts, a powerful storm could lead to the surreal visual of your doors and windows bending to the pressure. They may or may not hold. Leaning against a window or door that’s being blown in by wind pressure isn’t going to save it from breaking or shattering, no matter your weight or strength.
  • When is it safe to go outside after a storm?
    Cabin fever will likely set in as you walk around your dark, shuttered home, wondering what’s going on outside and whether your home has sustained any damage. But if you can stay in a little longer after the storm departs, you’ll be better off. Downed trees and power lines can be dangerous if you blindly stumble into them.
  • What should I know about using a generator?
    If you use a generator, remember that it must be kept outside your home and garage, and at least 20 feet away from windows and doors, protected from moisture. Never try to power the house by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. Generators can quickly become fire hazards and should never be wired to or plugged into a wall outlet inside or outside a home.

True protection. True results.

In recent years, the Florida Building Code has strengthened its requirements for hurricane protection on homes as a proactive way to reduce the damage caused to residents by hurricanes. Coastal areas have building codes requiring wind-borne debris protection in hurricane-prone areas. While builders and architects should be aware of the code requirements, you must protect yourself by ensuring the products you plan to use meet code requirements. Ask to see the products’ certification documents for windows, doors, and shutters and verify acceptance with your local building department. Plywood shutters have specific requirements, so be sure to check the regulations in your area for further details. Keep in mind that window film and masking tape do not meet building code requirements for wind-borne debris protection, and many deed-restricted communities regulate when and for how long shutters may remain installed.

When protection is needed.

Keeping wind and water out is critical to your home’s survival. Hurricane protection should be a planned element of any vulnerable home. Plywood should be a last-minute alternative, and if used, must be properly fastened. It should be noted that plywood is more expensive over time because it does not qualify for insurance discounts and must be replaced periodically. Impact-resistant products, on the other hand, are a long-term benefit to your home and often qualify for insurance discounts.
 

 
DOWNLOAD OUR 2019 HURRICANE GUIDE
Our resource guide for keeping yourself, your loved ones, and your property safe throughout the 2019 hurricane season.

 

When choosing a product, you should ask yourself the following:

  • Am I a year-round resident? If not, you may need to coordinate and pay for hurricane protection to be installed on your home in the event of a storm.
  • What are my physical limitations? Am I capable of installing shutters? Can I handle screens or lightweight corrugated plastic but not aluminum or other shutters? If you have any concerns about installing hurricane protection yourself, you may want to consider installing permanent protection, such as impact-resistant windows and doors.
  • Will I be comfortable with the look of permanent add-on products, such as roll-down or accordion-style shutters? These often have visible storage “boxes” on a home’s exterior when not in use.
  • Do I have space to store shutters or plywood? Such add-on products can take up valuable garage or attic space.

Get Prepared Now.

If you would like to learn more about hurricane protection, how to protect your family with our products, or how to join our mission to protect communities, we are here to help you. Complete the form to get started.

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