Don’t Get Caught Unprepared For Hurricanes
Hurricane season brings with it the anxiety of potential damage to our homes and the safety of our loved ones. For those living in across South Florida, the threat is all too real. High winds, heavy rainfall, and flying debris can cause catastrophic damage, turning a cherished home into a dangerous environment in a matter of hours. Protecting your home isn’t just about preserving property; it’s about ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone inside. Here are the top five ways to fortify your home against the devastating effects of a hurricane.
1. Install Impact Windows and Doors
Perhaps the most comprehensive solution for protecting your home during a hurricane is the installation of impact-resistant windows and doors. These specially designed products provide robust protection against both wind pressure and flying debris.
Advantages of Impact Windows and Doors:
- Superior Protection: Constructed with multiple layers of glass and interlayer membranes, they can withstand the impact of debris traveling at high speeds.
- Continuous Safety: Unlike shutters, impact windows and doors are always in place, providing constant protection without the need for manual installation when a storm approaches.
- Aesthetic Appeal: They offer a seamless look, maintaining the architectural integrity of your home without the need for additional shutters or coverings.
- Energy Efficiency: Impact windows and doors provide excellent insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs by maintaining indoor temperatures.
- UV Protection: They block up to 99% of ultraviolet light, protecting your furniture, flooring, and artwork from sun damage.
- Noise Reduction: The thick, laminated glass helps reduce external noise, creating a quieter indoor environment.
- Insurance Benefits: Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for homes equipped with impact-resistant windows and doors due to the decreased risk of damage.
Why Choose Broward Impact for Your Installation:
At Broward Impact, we understand that protecting your home is a top priority. With years of experience serving the community, we specialize in providing high-quality impact windows and doors that meet stringent industry standards.
Professional Expertise:
- Customized Solutions: Our team conducts thorough assessments to recommend products that best suit your home’s architectural style and your personal preferences.
- Quality Installation: Proper installation is crucial. Our certified professionals ensure that each window and door is installed correctly to maximize performance and safety.
- Top-Grade Materials: We use only the best materials, ensuring durability and long-lasting protection for your home.
Exceptional Customer Service:
- Consultative Approach: We guide you through the entire process, from selection to installation, answering any questions and addressing concerns along the way.
- After-Sales Support: Our commitment doesn’t end after installation. We offer ongoing support and maintenance services to keep your windows and doors in optimal condition.
2. Secure and Strengthen Your Roof
Your roof is the primary shield against the elements during a hurricane. If compromised, it can lead to extensive damage not only to the structure of your home but also to everything inside it.
Conduct Regular Inspections:
- Professional Assessment: At least once a year, have a professional roofer inspect your roof for signs of wear and tear. Look for loose or missing shingles, cracks, and other vulnerabilities that could be exacerbated by hurricane-force winds.
- DIY Checks: In between professional inspections, visually check your roof from the ground or use binoculars to spot any obvious issues. Early detection can save you from costly repairs down the line.
Reinforce the Roof Structure:
- Hurricane Straps and Clips: Install metal hurricane straps or clips to secure the roof to the walls of your home. These connectors provide additional support and help distribute wind loads evenly, reducing the risk of roof uplift.
- Secondary Water Barrier: Apply a self-adhering waterproof membrane under your roof covering. This barrier prevents water from entering your home if the roof covering is damaged.
Maintain Gutters and Drainage Systems:
- Clean Regularly: Remove leaves, twigs, and debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent blockages.
- Secure Gutters: Ensure that gutters are firmly attached to the house to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles during high winds.
- Proper Drainage: Extend downspouts away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling around your home, which can lead to flooding and structural damage.
3. Fortify Your Garage Door
The garage door is often the largest opening in a home, making it a potential weak point during a hurricane. If the garage door fails, it can lead to internal pressurization, causing the roof and supporting walls to blow out.
Upgrade to a Wind-Resistant Door:
- Reinforced Materials: Invest in a garage door designed to withstand high winds. These doors are constructed with reinforced steel, heavier gauge tracking, and additional bracing.
- Impact-Rated Doors: Consider doors that are both wind-resistant and impact-rated to protect against flying debris.
Install Bracing Kits:
- Vertical Braces: Add vertical bracing systems that anchor the door to the floor and framing, providing extra support against wind pressure.
- Horizontal Reinforcement: Use horizontal reinforcement kits to strengthen the door panels themselves.
Secure Windows and Vents:
- Shatter-Resistant Film: Apply a shatter-resistant film to any windows in your garage to prevent glass from breaking inward.
- Vent Protection: Ensure that vents are covered with screens or shutters to prevent debris from entering and causing damage.
4. Install Storm Shutters for Windows and Doors
Windows and glass doors are vulnerable points that can easily break under the force of wind-borne debris, leading to dangerous pressure changes inside your home.
Choose the Right Type of Storm Shutters:
- Accordion Shutters: Permanently attached beside the windows, these shutters unfold accordion-style to cover and protect the window.
- Roll-Down Shutters: Housed above the window or door, they roll down manually or automatically, offering quick and efficient protection.
- Bahama Shutters: Hinged at the top of the window, these shutters provide shade and can be secured during a storm.
- Colonial Shutters: Attached to the sides of windows, they fold inward to protect the glass.
- Storm Panels: Removable panels made of steel, aluminum, or clear polycarbonate that are installed when a storm is approaching.
Consider Impact-Resistant Glass:
- Laminated Glass: Consists of two panes of glass with a strong interlayer, providing resistance against shattering.
- Polycarbonate Windows: Made from a durable plastic that can withstand high impacts without breaking.
Temporary Protective Measures:
- Plywood Covers: If permanent shutters are not an option, use 5/8-inch marine plywood cut to fit each window and door. Secure them with heavy-duty screws or expansion bolts.
- Window Film: While not a substitute for shutters or plywood, impact-resistant window film can help hold glass fragments together if the window breaks.
5. Reinforce Entry and Patio Doors
Doors can be blown open or torn off their hinges if not properly secured, allowing wind and water to enter your home.
Upgrade to Impact-Rated Doors:
- Solid Core Doors: Replace hollow-core exterior doors with solid wood or metal doors that offer greater resistance to wind and impact.
- Impact-Resistant Glass Inserts: For doors with glass panels, ensure the glass is impact-rated or protected with shutters.
Strengthen Door Hardware:
- Heavy-Duty Hinges: Install at least three hinges on each door with screws that penetrate deep into the door frame.
- Deadbolt Locks: Use a deadbolt lock with a minimum one-inch bolt throw length to secure the door firmly in place.
- Door Frame Reinforcement: Strengthen the door frame with metal reinforcement plates to prevent splitting or breaking.
Secure Sliding Doors:
- Track Reinforcement: Install additional locks or use a metal or wooden dowel in the track to prevent the door from being lifted off its track.
- Shatter-Resistant Film: Apply protective film to the glass to prevent shattering.
Additional Tips for Hurricane Preparedness:
- Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in patio furniture, grills, and other outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds.
- Trim Trees and Shrubs: Regularly maintain your landscaping to remove dead branches and reduce the risk of debris.
- Seal Cracks and Openings: Use caulk and weather stripping to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other openings to prevent water intrusion.
- Backup Power Supply: Consider installing a generator to maintain essential functions during power outages.
- Emergency Kit: Prepare a hurricane emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.
The Importance of Early Preparation
Waiting until a hurricane is imminent can limit your options and increase costs. By taking proactive steps now, you can ensure that your home is ready to withstand whatever the hurricane season brings. Not only does this provide peace of mind, but it also enhances the safety of your family and can even increase the value of your home.
Protect Your Home with Broward Impact
Your home is more than just a building; it’s a sanctuary for you and your family. As hurricane threats become more frequent and severe, investing in the right protective measures is essential.
At Broward Impact, we’re dedicated to helping you safeguard your home against the most extreme weather conditions. Our impact windows and doors are not just products; they’re investments in safety, security, and peace of mind.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Contact Broward Impact today at 954.922.0606 to schedule a free consultation. Let our experts help you choose the best solutions to fortify your home against hurricanes. Together, we can ensure that when the storm comes, your home remains a place of comfort and safety.
By taking these steps, you’re not only protecting your property but also contributing to the overall resilience of our community. Remember, hurricane preparedness is a shared responsibility, and every measure you take helps make all of us safer. Trust in Broward Impact to be your partner in this crucial endeavor.