Living in South Florida is no joke when it comes to facing hurricanes. Over the last decades, we have faced a number of hurricanes that did not only claim lives, but cost taxpayers’ serious money. Killer hurricanes, such as Hurricane Andrew, left billions worth of damages.
Hurricane Andrew in 1992 paved the way to better preparedness during this kind of calamity. Since then, window and door companies have started using materials that withstand this level of disaster. However, despite these various improvements, people still fail to provide appropriate safety to their homes.
Here are the things you need to avoid when it comes to hurricane window, door, and calamity preparedness.
Procrastinating on Your Evacuation Plan
It is essential to have an evacuation plan. If your house is located in a coastal area, you must know what to do in case calamity strikes. All members of the household must be informed about the plan. The failure begins when people procrastinate in planning.
Evacuation plans should be done during good weather. Know the nearest evacuation center to your house and find the fastest way to get to it. Do not wait for the authorities to issue an evacuation notice before evacuating.
Leaving Roofs, Windows, and Doors Unrepaired
Despite notices from authorities, many people still fail in making sure structural issues in their homes have been properly addressed. Leaky roofs, lack of hurricane windows, damaged door, and loose shingles are just some of the issues that could bring more trouble when a hurricane strikes.
Windborne Debris-Caused Hurricane Window Breakage
Windborne debris are things like tree limbs, roofing materials, and lumber. They can be easily blown by strong winds and can end up crashing through your windows and doors.
Once any of your windows or doors get broken, wind, other airborne debris, and rain can easily get inside your house. Water will not only damage things inside the house, it will also compromise the house’s structure. There are materials that are prone to having long-term problems when exposed to moisture.
Installing Weak Hurricane Windows
When you say hurricane window, you expect glazing that is able to prevent leakage and resist high wind pressure. However, this is not always the case.
With the growth of the hurricane protection industry, substandard products have also become more common. There are products on the market that say they offer hurricane window protection but fail in actually providing any. A weak window can have a negative impact on the general structural integrity of the house, including the loss of a roof stability.
Leaving Windows Unsecured
Unsecured windows can easily be shattered by windborne debris. Once broken, wind can come in and cause an internal pressurization. This internal pressurization is caused by the wind’s inability to move back out of the house. If it fails to find a way out, pressure inside the structure can build up and can explode any weak spot in the structure.
To avoid internal pressurization, new impact windows must be properly installed.
Cramming for Protection
Most of the products that offer hurricane protection should be ordered ahead of time. Wind-resistant and hurricane windows need to be custom fitted to ensure proper performance. Pre-cut panels made of metal or fabric, which are lighter in weight, must be purchased ahead of time, too.
If you are not prepared for this potential disaster, and there is no professional to call, be aware of your options. Using plywood that is at least 5/8-in thick is recommended. This sheet of wood should be nailed or screwed to your outer wall, and not simply taped.
Choosing Quantity Over Quality
Just because something is cheap, does not mean that it won’t work. Similarly, expensive tools and materials do not necessarily mean that they are the best option. However, you must keep in mind that retrofitting a house to avoid hurricane damages can be very expensive. Only select products from a tried and tested company. There are a lot of products on the market that promise to protect but do not really perform well under stress.
Window fails happen when you procrastinate, or choose “impact material” from a company that has not been tried nor tested. For impact windows and doors in South Florida, you can trust ASP Windows and Doors. Contact us now at (844) 311-7767 and request for a quote!
