How to Board Up Windows Before a Hurricane

Posted on November 15, 2022

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Long Nguyen | author

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ICHQ | Site Author

If you are wondering if you should board up your window during hurricane season, it’s often a good idea. If a severe storm is coming your way, boarding up your windows can go a long way toward protecting your home and should be taken into careful consideration. If your home has been damaged in a hurricane, you’re not alone – an experienced hurricane damage attorney is standing by to help.

When to Board Up Windows for a Hurricane

If you are on the fence about whether you should board up your windows in advance of a hurricane and – if so – when the right time is, the answer is quite simple: You should board up your windows, and sooner is always better than later.

The expense and effort involved are minimal in relation to the damage you forestall, and even if the storm doesn’t materialize in your area or isn’t as threatening as advertised, you’ll have the material and know-how to effectively and efficiently prepare for a future storm.

How to Board Up Windows for a Hurricane

Boarding up your windows for a hurricane doesn’t have to be rocket science. In fact, putting up plywood for a hurricane is generally the most cost-effective approach. The steps include:

  • Gather your materials. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recommends that you use ⅝ inch plywood.
  • Measure your windows and cut your plywood accordingly. If your home has vinyl siding, allow an additional 4 inches on each side of each panel to help protect entire windows from blowing out.
  • Predrill holes that are the same size as the screws you’ll be using two inches from each panel’s corner edges and at 12-inch intervals along each side.
  • Hold your plywood panels against their corresponding windows and mark on your home where your mounting screws will go for each. Label each piece of plywood with its corresponding window.
  • Put up your plywood panels securely.

An Experienced New Orleans Homeowners Insurance Claims Attorney Is on Your Side

The accomplished New Orleans homeowners insurance claims attorneys at Insurance Claim HQ recognizes how important your claim is to you and your family and, in response, dedicate their impressive practice to helping clients like you obtain just compensation that honors their legal rights. To learn more, please don’t put off contacting us today.

Hurricane Damage Mitigation FAQ

Why use plywood to board up windows?

Plywood is readily available, easy to work with, relatively inexpensive, and gets the job done. If you want to protect your home in advance of a hurricane, plywood is an excellent choice.

What if the storm doesn’t reach my home?

It is impossible to predict with 100 percent accuracy exactly how damaging a hurricane will be and exactly where it will cause damage. If, however, you’ve been forewarned, it’s in your best interest to take the necessary precautions to protect your home.

What can I do if the insurance company is balking at my claim?

The most important step you can take in the face of a homeowners insurance claim is consulting with a dedicated homeowners insurance claims attorney.