You need to protect your windows during a hurricane for a couple of reasons. The first and most obvious is rain can get into your house through a broken window. Wind and debris can also make their way inside through broken windows and further damage your home. Most importantly, wind can create pressure on your roof and if the hurricane is strong enough, it can even peel the roof off your home.

Fortunately, there are different ways you can protect your windows from hurricane-force winds and debris tossed around by a storm. But whatever you do, do not fall for the old wives’ tale that taping your windows will help. Taping your windows before a hurricane does not offer any type of protection and can actually leave you and your family with a false sense of security.

Hurricane-Resistant Windows

You can try hurricane-resistant windows. These windows typically resist winds up to a certain speed and they resist shattering. If you get such windows, try to find those approved by the State of Florida or by a jurisdiction within the State of Florida.

Advantages of hurricane-resistant windows are aesthetics—no unsightly shutters—and once installed, you don’t have to worry about putting up shutters. The disadvantages are that hurricane-resistant windows can be expensive, and they’re not entirely foolproof.

There are different types of hurricane shutters but generally, they are pre-installed on your windows and are usually fairly easy to put up in the event a hurricane threatens your area.

Advantages are ease of use and that they can be designed to complement your home’s appearance. Disadvantages are they are expensive and some kinds of hurricane shutters may not be visually appealing.

Metal panels—either steel or aluminum—can protect your windows. They usually require the pre-installation of bolts and/or a bracket which will hold the panels in place when a hurricane is coming. The panels are installed—usually with some help and with heavy work gloves to protect your hands—when a hurricane is on its way.

The advantages of hurricane/storm panels is they’re less expensive than shutters or hurricane-resistant windows. The disadvantages are they’re unsightly, they’re still somewhat expensive, they’re heavy (although aluminum shutters lighter—but more expensive—than steel) and you have to keep them somewhere until a hurricane comes.

No doubt you’ve seen the TV news stories with homeowners and businesses boarding up their windows with plywood. Plywood—at least 5/8 inches thick—can protect your windows during a hurricane or tropical storm if installed properly.

Advantages are they’re usually the cheapest type of window protection for hurricanes you can buy. Disadvantages are if you wait until a storm is coming to buy plywood, the hardware stores could run out; they can be a lot of work to install; they’re heavy; and the wood can rot, meaning you may have little choice but to buy them as a hurricane approaches—and you may need to buy them each time you need them.