How to Prevent Window Damage During Severe Weather

During a severe weather event, like a tornado, winds can howl at speeds up to 200 mph. That’s enough to blow out double—or triple-paned glass windows. Protecting your windows from damage is paramount to keeping out the strong wind and heavy rain. Here are a few strategies to help you protect your windows during extreme weather events in Nebraska.

How to Prevent Window Damage During Severe Weather

Security Film

This solution works for annealed, toughened, and laminated glass windowpanes. It’s a polymer liner that bonds to the glass using adhesive. It keeps the glass as a single pane, even if it cracks or shatters, and prevents damage to the frame.

Some security window films feature tinting for additional UV protection for your furniture or carpet. It also provides privacy from people looking into your home.

High-Impact Windows For Severe Weather Safety

Another option is to install tempered high-impact glass. These windows feature dual tempered panes integrated with a chemical polymer. The glass undergoes heat treatment to strengthen it, which makes it up to four times stronger than conventional windowpanes.

It’s a similar strategy used by automotive glass manufacturers in windshield construction. High-impact panes look like regular windows but provide additional strength. These impact-resistant windows are shatter-resistant and designed to withstand high wind speeds in storms.

Storm Shutters

Shutters are common in homes in coastal areas and tornado zones that experience high wind speeds. Shutters are available in several designs and styles. The most popular options are Bahama, colonial, and accordion shutters, but some homes may also feature roll-down designs. You have options for materials such as:

• Polycarbonate
• Aluminum
• Steel

All shutter designs serve a similar purpose of shielding the windowpanes from wind damage and flying debris. Experts recommend this method, which protects the window frames and glass during a storm.

Severe Weather Storm Paneling

These durable panels feature construction with materials similar to storm shutters, with polycarbonate being the most popular option. They’re a good alternative to cheap plywood panels, which we’ll discuss in a minute. Panels offer excellent durability and don’t have the same risk of rot as plywood panels.

Some modern designs feature clear plastic with rubber edging, which absorbs wind shock as a tornado passes through the area. This design allows you to look out of the window and lets light into the room.

Panels are easy to set up with easy, quick installation. Many don’t require nailing or bolting to the frame.

Plywood Boards

If you’re looking for storm weather protection to prevent a broken window and are on a budget, consider plywood panels. This traditional option is common for commercial buildings. Still, it’s not the best choice for homeowners if they can avoid it.

Plywood looks unattractive and also requires nailing the boards into the window frames. This can ruin their structural integrity and cause some structural damage. The holes left behind by the nails after you remove them look unsightly and require filling and repainting. As mentioned, there’s also the risk of them rotting if they get wet.

Plywood boards are also a cost-effective choice for homeowners on a budget. The downside is that you can’t see through the plywood. Clear plastic panels are the better option for aesthetics and functionality.

Hurricane Fabrics

This new-era window protection strategy serves the same purpose as the other methods discussed. However, it’s a lightweight and strong option that is toolless. It is also great for people who don’t want to spend time installing cumbersome solutions to protect their windows and doors.

Hurricane fabrics are resin-infused, making them highly durable and resistant to high wind speeds. They clip to the window frame with pre-fitted hooks for simple, convenient installation.

After the storm passes, the fabric is easy to store, fold, and pack away in the garage or crawlspace. They also offer excellent coverage for large windows.

Protecting Your Windows from Damage During Severe Weather

Ensuring your windows have protection from severe weather conditions is more critical than ever. The solutions in this post offer many options to prevent winds from breaking the panes and causing property damage to your home.

Choose the system that suits your budget and home, and prepare for the next extreme weather event before it rolls around. Leaving the protection of your home to chance isn’t an option to consider. Take action and protect your property today.

Have recent storms in the Lincoln, NE, and Eastern Nebraska area caused window damage? Contact us today for new home window estimates. 

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