Living in South Florida means needing to always be prepared for the yearly onslaught of hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th. While hurricanes have periodically formed outside of this window, this is historically the period for the formation of all major Atlantic storms. They make their way from the waters of the western coast of Africa and begin their path right towards South Florida. As a storm begins to take the form of a major hurricane, it’s on us to take the necessary precautions to properly defend our homes. However, old rumors and practices still tend to float around, leading to some homeowners deploying some defenses on their home that likely won’t get the job done—or may even cause more damage.
Tape
For decades, the myth that putting tape in an “X” or star pattern would keep your windows from fully shattering and falling apart should a hurricane’s wind speeds be high enough to destroy them or thrown debris gets tossed directly into it. Unfortunately, this is nowhere near the case. Tape on your windows will not stop your windows from falling apart and shattering on impact. In fact, tape on your windows can present a new danger for you and your loved ones. Rather than shattering completely, the tape will create larger shards of glass that stay together and can get picked up by the wind. Don’t fall for the myth and stay away from using tape for window defense this Hurricane Season.
Wood Panels
Wood panels are one of the most common window defenses seen throughout South Florida, however that doesn’t mean they’re good. They’ve historically been the go-to for many homeowners as they’re installed rather quickly and can be found at local hardware stores. That said, hurricane speed winds are more than capable of ripping wood panels right off your windows. Large wood panels then become a hazard as hurricane force winds throw them around your neighborhood. Keep in mind that many other South Floridians will be rushing to purchase wood panels as well, leading to shortages and significant wait times if you absolutely need them.
Aluminum Shutters
Aluminum shutters offer a significant step up in window defense over both tape and wood panels. Highly popular in the early to mid 2000s, hurricane shutters completely enclose your windows, deflecting heavy windows and thrown debris away. One major downside to hurricane shutters is that they’re permanently affixed to the exterior of your home. These can significantly detract from the appearance of your home as a whole, despite the protection they offer.
Impact Windows
Impact windows offer you and your family the best possible protection against hurricanes without ever taking away from the appeal of the rest of your home. Installed one time like aluminum shutters, impact windows are designed to withstand wind speeds upwards of 150 miles per hour, meaning they can take the brunt of even the toughest storms. You’ll never have to rush to find wood panels, or test your luck with a roll of electrical tape. On top of that, impact windows are stunning, adding to your home’s appearance, rather than detract from it for the sake of defense.
Hurricane Season is only a few months away, which means it’s the perfect time to upgrade your window defense and have impact windows installed. Contact MPACT Windows today either online or give us a call at (561) 909-8055.
