Plywood For Wind Mitigation For Windows And Doors

Plywood shutters can be punctured by airborne objects but the florida building commission believes the puncture will be too small to do catastrophic damage in our anticipated wind speeds.

Plywood for wind mitigation for windows and doors. Plywood that is not properly attached to your house can rip off during high winds and become a projectile that can cause serious harm to properties. Cut sheets of 1 2 or 5 8 inch thick plywood. Taking the time to board up your home when a hurricane is approaching and evacuation is imminent is not always wise. Cut the plywood to the measurements for each opening.

Use heavy duty screws and anchors in wood or expansion bolts in masonry to attach the plywood to your home s walls not the window frames. Make sure you overlap window frames by a good 8 inches all around. Drill holes 2 1 2 inches from the outside edge of the plywood at each corner and at 12 inch intervals. An effective and inexpensive option for covering windows figure you ll spend 1 2 sq.

Drill four holes in the center area of the plywood to relieve pressure during a strong wind storm. A contractor might charge between 3 5 sq. Place the plywood over the opening and mark each hole position on the outside wall. Covering your windows and doors with plywood should only be used as a temporary emergency board up option not a permanent solution.

However putting up plywood or storm shutters is time consuming and may require more than one person to lift heavy panels into place. If you do the work yourself.