How To Board Windows For Hurricane

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If your windows aren't impact-resistant, you lot'll probably want to board them up if a big storm or hurricane is near to hit.^[1] Information technology may seem similar a pretty daunting task to lath upward the windows of a business firm, particularly if you've never done it before. Fortunately, whether your business firm has vinyl, brick, or stucco siding, the process of installing plywood over the windows is relatively straightforward. But screw the plywood over the entire window or use clips to install the plywood inside the window frame.

1. 1

   Record the vertical and horizontal measurements for the window. Use a tape measure to determine the height and width of the window y'all plan to board upwardly and write these measurements down. If the window has an extended sill, measure out vertically from the top of the sill to the top of the window.^[2]

   • When measuring horizontally, measure within the window's exterior trim.

2. ii

   Cutting a piece of plywood that is 8 inches (20 cm) college and wider than the window. Add viii inches (twenty cm) to the height and width measurements you took of the window, then utilize these new measurements to measure out and cut your plywood. Use a circular saw to cut the plywood.

   • For example, if your window measures 48 inches (120 cm) tall and 24 inches (61 cm) wide, then your slice of plywood should be 56 inches (140 cm) alpine and 32 inches (81 cm) wide.
   • If the window has an extended sill, you just need to add together 4 inches (10 cm) to the pinnacle before cutting the plywood.
   • If you don't have a circular saw, you can have your plywood to a dwelling house improvement shop to have it cut for you.

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3. 3

   Attach 2 pieces of plywood together if you need a bigger piece. Well-nigh pieces of plywood are four by 8 feet (1.two by two.four m), so if your window's dimensions are larger than this, you'll need to use 2 pieces of plywood attached to each other. Identify 2 plywood pieces next to each other, then lay a 2 by 4 in (five.1 past x.2 cm) bracing along the seam. Finally, drill 2.25 in (v.vii cm) screws through the bracing and into the plywood to attach them all.^[3]

   • Drill at to the lowest degree 6 screws (two at the superlative of the bracing, 2 in the middle, and 2 at the bottom) through the bracing and into the 2 pieces of plywood to make sure they're securely attached.

4. four

   Use a stud finder to find the studs in the wall effectually the window frame. Y'all'll want to make sure you're non attaching the plywood merely to trim around the wall, since this won't exist secure. Look for the studs four inches (ten cm) out from each side of the window frame.^[4]

   • If y'all don't have a stud finder, you may be able to determine where the stud is past looking for nailheads in the siding, since these nails have probably been nailed into the stud.

5. 5

   Drill holes in the corners of the plywood that align with the studs. Drill 4 holes that are each around 2 inches (5.1 cm) in from the edges of the plywood at each corner. Yous may demand to adjust this measurement to ensure that the holes you drill will line up with the studs in the wall when you become to spiral in the plywood.^[5]

   • Brand sure the holes you drill are equal in diameter to the screws y'all volition use to attach the plywood to the wall. Use ¹⁄_iv  in (0.64 cm) pan-caput or lag screws for the best results.
   • These holes in the plywood are called "pilot holes." They should be drilled all the fashion through the plywood.

6. 6

   Brand boosted holes at 12 in (30 cm) intervals around the plywood. These holes are where you will spiral the plywood into the wall. Align these holes with the corner holes you already drilled to ensure that these new holes will too line upward with the studs in the wall.^[6]

   • If the window has a sill that extends out at the bottom, y'all only need to drill these holes on the tiptop and sides of the plywood.
   • These holes should also be around 2 inches (five.1 cm) from the edge of the plywood.
   • Note that the holes in the top and bottom of the plywood will non exist screwed into the studs in the wall.

7. 7

   Identify the plywood over the window frame and utilize a drill to screw it in. ^[7] Have someone concur the lath while you lot drill screws through each of the pilot holes, or vice versa. Use pan-head or lag screws that volition penetrate at least ii inches (v.one cm) into the framing.^[8]

   • These types of screws are best since their flat-bottomed heads won't sink into the plywood and weaken information technology.
   • Apply corrosion-resistant screws if you're boarding up your window in advance of a hurricane or other major tempest.

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1. 1

   Mensurate the elevation and width of the window you lot're boarding up. Make up one's mind the height and width of the window with a tape measure, making certain to write your measurements downwardly. Measure out from the top of the window frame interior to the lesser, also as from side to side. Don't measure beyond the frame itself.^[nine]

   • Your plywood piece volition exist cut to fit within the window frame, so there's no demand to measure out beyond it.

2. 2

   Cut a piece of plywood to match the window's dimensions. Use a circular saw to cut the plywood to lucifer the height and width of the window frame. You'll be placing the piece of plywood snugly within the frame, so the measurements of the plywood should exist as close every bit possible to the dimensions of the window.

   • For example, if your window frame measures 48 inches (120 cm) tall and 24 inches (61 cm) wide, then your piece of plywood should be 48 inches (120 cm) alpine and 24 inches (61 cm) wide as well.
   • Accept your plywood to a abode comeback shop to accept it cut for you lot if you lot don't have a round saw.

3. 3

   Use ii pieces of plywood attached to each other if the frame is too big. #*You'll need to use ii pieces of plywood attached to each other with a 2 past 4 in (5.one past ten.2 cm) bracing along the seam if your window frame is bigger than 4 by 8 feet (i.2 by two.4 m). Identify 2 plywood pieces next to each other with a 2 by 4 in (v.1 by 10.ii cm) bracing placed forth the seam. Then, drill 2.25 in (5.seven cm) screws through the bracing and into the plywood to attach them all.^[10]

   • Drill at least vi screws (ii at the top of the bracing, 2 in the eye, and 2 at the bottom) through the bracing and into the 2 pieces of plywood to brand sure they're securely attached to each other.

4. 4

   Use a hammer to adhere iv window clips to the sides of the plywood. Place 2 clips on each side of the plywood, positioned so that the tension legs are facing towards you. Then, gently tap the clips with the hammer to adhere them to the plywood. Be certain to place each pair of clips no more than 2 anxiety (0.61 m) apart from each other.^[11]

   • Position the clips so that they're evenly spaced from each other for best results.
   • You may be able to simply push the clips into place. However, using a hammer will ensure that they are equally deeply attached to the plywood as possible.

5. 5

   Place the plywood over the window frame and push it in to secure it. ^[12] When you practise this, brand sure the clips are deeply gripping the sides of the frame and aren't beingness pushed out of it. Push the plywood as far into the frame every bit it can go.^[13]

   • Strong winds generate lift on the plywood that can cause information technology to be pulled out of the window frame. If the window clips are securely gripping the sides of the frame, they volition continue the plywood in place.^[14]
   • When you're ready to remove the plywood, simply button down on the board and pull up on the window clips on i side to remove it.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How practise yous cover windows with wood?

  

  Steve Linton is the President of Deltec Homes, a custom habitation edifice company in Asheville, North Carolina. With about 20 years of experience, he oversees all dwelling building projects for Deltec Homes. He specializes in hurricane-resistant homes, green abode design, and sustainable edifice. Steve holds a BS in Structural Engineering from Cornell Academy and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

  

  Custom Home Architect

  Expert Answer

• Question

  How do you protect windows without plywood?

  

  Steve Linton is the President of Deltec Homes, a custom home building visitor in Asheville, Northward Carolina. With nearly twenty years of feel, he oversees all home edifice projects for Deltec Homes. He specializes in hurricane-resistant homes, green dwelling house design, and sustainable building. Steve holds a BS in Structural Engineering science from Cornell University and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

  

  Custom Home Architect

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Things Y'all'll Need

• Plywood
• Tape measure
• Stud finder
• Circular saw
• ¹⁄₄  in (0.64 cm) pan-caput or lag screws
• Power drill

• Hammer
• Window clips

• If you have to board up your windows from the inside (east.g., if the tempest is already raging exterior), place security window film over the glass and record information technology down. This isn't the best style to protect your windows and habitation, but it will work in a pinch.

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• If you lot're worried that you won't exist able to deeply install the plywood over your windows before a big storm hits, hire a professional to do it for you. Although this is more expensive, you lot'll want your house to be adequately protected for the tempest.

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About This Article

Article Summary X

To board upwards a window, attempt using plywood. Starting time, measure the height and width of the window then you know how much wood you'll need. Then, cut a slice of plywood so it'due south 8 inches higher and wider than the window. If your window is larger than the piece of plywood, adhere ii pieces together by screwing a 2 by 4 along the seam between the 2 pieces of wood. Next, drill holes about 2 inches from the corner of the plywood, which should line up with the studs in the wall when y'all screw it in place. Drill boosted holes at 12 inch intervals effectually the board. Finish by placing the board over the window and screwing it into identify. For tips on how to attach a board to brick using window clips, read on!

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