Hurricane Windows vs. Taping Windows
Does Taping Windows Help During Hurricanes?
We're now in late summer and that means one thing for the people living here in Florida, it's hurricane season. Not only that, it's the height of hurricane season. For homes here in West Palm Beach, it's not a matter of if they get hit by a hurricane but when.
For this reason, it makes sense to prepare now. You know a major storm will head your way eventually. What are you going to do to protect yourself, your family, your pets, your home, and your property? Is taping windows enough?
Taping Windows Before a Hurricane
If you drive around town before a hurricane hits, you are bound to tape on windows on several homes. Is this enough to actually stop hurricane damage? No, it is not!
Time and time again,
news outlets tell us not to put tape on windows and think we are prepared for the approaching storm. It does not protect your windows. Fox 13, out of the Tampa Bay area, went so far as to
test the method and proved that it did not even stop a potato, much less a 2x4 flying at hurricane-level wind speeds.
We can say with confidence that under no circumstances is doing this a good idea. In fact, advocates at the
National Hurricane Conference in Orlando went so far as to encourage residents to skip taping their windows when a hurricane is imminent. They believe it leads to a false sense of security and actually increases danger. At best, it's an inconvenience. At worst, some people have the illusion that they're safe and can get severely hurt.
Putting tape over glass does nothing to make it stronger. It can cause the window to shatter into bigger, more dangerous shards if it’s broken and sent flying around the neighborhood. Instead, residents should use proven methods such as hurricane shutters, hurricane windows, or
impact windows.
The Benefits of Hurricane Windows
The belief that taping on windows during a hurricane will help keep them intact is a myth and a dangerous one at that. It's a far better idea to invest in hurricane windows before the storm approaches. These impact windows can withstand forces much higher than a traditional window. They can withstand hurricane-force winds and flying debris without breaking or shattering. As well, hurricane windows will be able to withstand the extreme pressure generated by hurricane-force winds.
There’s no magical quick-fix to save your windows during a storm. Preparing ahead of time, like
retrofitting your home with hurricane windows, is a proven method to keep everyone safe and your house from major damage.
To learn more about your options, to
schedule a free consultation at your home, or to ask additional questions, contact our team. Call us at (561) 250-8918 and we'll be at your home soon, before the hurricane hits.
