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Quick Answer: When To Put Up Hurricane Shutters

According to the National Hurricane Center you should put up your hurricane shutters when a hurricane watch is put in effect for your area. In other words, you should put your hurricane shutters up 48 hours before the storm starts.

At what wind speed should you put up hurricane shutters?

Emergency Preparedness Director Tony Carper said most of Broward will see tropical storm force winds so homeowners should determine as best they can if their glass can withstand 60- to 70-mph winds.

When should hurricane shutters be installed?

According to the National Hurricane Center’s official recommendations, you should put up hurricane shutters whenever a hurricane watch is issued for your area. As you may or may not know, a hurricane watch is issued 48 hours before hurricane conditions are expected to begin.

At what wind speed should I board up windows?

A Design Pressure or DP rating measures the strength of a window. Standard residential windows have DP values between 15 and 50. A DP 15 window can reasonably be expected to sustain winds of roughly 77 mph before shattering.

Should I install hurricane shutters?

Hurricane shutters are designed to protect your windows when severe storms bring in high-strong winds. It’s important to keep in mind that although hurricane shutters can be used over any regular glass, it is best to install them specifically over impact glass to ensure 100% protection from tropical storms.

Should you put up shutters for a Category 1 hurricane?

National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen recommends putting up your hurricane shutters when a hurricane watch is issued for your area. A hurricane warning is when tropical storm conditions are expected in 36 hours. It’s recommended preparations be completed before the onset of tropical storm-force winds.

Can 70 mph winds break windows?

The simple answer is yes. Hurricanes can produce extremely dangerous winds. A Category 5 storm can generate wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour. While steady wind may be unlikely to shatter a window, sudden, sharp gusts can add immense pressure to windows and doors and can break them.

Do you need hurricane shutters in Florida?

The current Florida Building Codes demand that every home built after 2001 must either have hurricane shutters or storm windows. So yes, you do need some form of protection—whether you choose hurricane impact resistant windows or hurricane shutters is completely up to you.

What do storm shutters do?

What are Hurricane Shutters? Hurricane or storm shutters are built specifically to help guard your windows against things like flying debris, wind, rain, hail, and other forces associated with a tropical storm.

Should I board up my windows for a tropical storm?

One of the most important things you can do is to board up the windows of your home. Having hurricane shutters are the absolute best protection for your windows. The wood not only helps to protect your windows from flying debris, but it also helps your windows to resist breaking from the force of the howling winds.

How much wind can the average house withstand?

Building a Wood- or Steel-Frame Home to Resist 100 mph Winds According to a report by FEMA, new wood-frame houses constructed according to building codes perform well structurally, in winds up to 150 mph, while a steel homes can withstand winds up to 170 mph.

Should you open windows during high winds?

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends that you close all interior doors and all windows for major wind storms including hurricanes. That’s because wind that enters a home through open windows creates strong upward pressure on the home’s roof.

Do hurricane shutters increase home value?

Increasing Resale Value Installing hurricane shutters can significantly increase the resale value of your property. If there is ever a need to sell your property, you will find that an investment such as installing hurricane shutters will help buyers feel more at ease purchasing in a hurricane zone.

Do all windows need hurricane shutters?

With impact hurricane windows and doors you do not need hurricane shutters. Hurricane impact windows are made with coastal packages that have all aluminum and stainless steel components. Old hurricane shutters can become debris in a hurricane if they are not properly installed or if they are rusted and old.

What is average cost to install hurricane shutters?

Hurricane shutters cost $3,847, or between $1,946 and $5,778, to install. Homeowners usually pay $5 to $60 per square foot for materials and $45 to $100 per hour for labor. Every seven square feet of shutters takes about one hour to put up depending on their size and style.

Can a handyman install hurricane shutters?

We can help you find a knowledgeable contractor or handyman to routinely service your hurricane shutters so they work when you absolutely need them to.

Are accordion shutters worth it?

Upfront cost savings – Accordion shutters are less expensive to install than impact glass windows. No need to repair – Impact windows may suffer damage if struck by flying debris. Hurricane shutters might too, but since they’re not visible most of the time, you probably won’t feel the need to repair them.

Has there been a hurricane Elsa?

Hurricane Elsa was the earliest hurricane in the Caribbean Sea and the earliest-forming fifth named storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean, surpassing Edouard of the previous year. It was the first hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

How much damage can 70 mph winds do?

What you can expect with 70 mph winds: Spotty damage across affected area. Patches of shingles missing, minor roof covering, window and cladding damage to some wood frame, unreinforced masonry and light metal structures. Significant signage damage.

How fast does wind have to be to knock down a house?

25-50 mph – At this point, you may see shingles begin to be blown off. Especially on aging or damaged roofs. But for the most part, you’re still safe with wind speeds this low. 50-75 mph – At 50+ MPH winds are officially classified as “damaging”.