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. You muist prepare your home so none of the biggest hurricane window fails happen to you.
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. You must inform all members of the household about the plan. The failure begins when people procrastinate in planning.
You should be doing evacuation plans 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. Strong winds can easily blow them away 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
Windborne debris can easily shatter unsecured windows. Once broken, wind can come in and cause an internal pressurization. The wind’s inability to move back out of the house causes this internal pressurization. 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. Don’t let one of the biggest hurricane window fails happen to you.
Cramming for Protection
You should order most of the products that offer hurricane protection ahead of time. Wind-resistant and hurricane windows need to be custom fitted to ensure proper performance. You must also purchase pre-cut panels made of metal or fabric, which are lighter in weight, ahead of time.
If you do not prepare yourself for this potential disaster, and you have 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. Don’t let the biggest hurricane window fails happen to you. 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!
