Storm Preparedness: Dangers in Boarding Windows
Boarding up windows and doors can help shut out storm related problems, but may expose other issues

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. May 14, 2008 — As the official start of storm season begins June 1, now is the time for homeowners to consider the best ways to protect their homes.

Temporarily boarding up windows and doors has been a common practice for years in most hurricane- prone regions, but window and door experts say that it is no longer the ideal solution.

“For constant protection, ease of use and other benefits they provide, impact-resistant windows do a great job protecting the building envelope during a severe storm,” said Brian Hedlund, window product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “They also offer year-long benefits, such as noise reduction, protection against harmful UV rays and resistance to break-ins.”

Latest technology offers better options
JELD-WEN has raised the bar when it comes to storm-resistant technology.

JELD-WEN’s ImpactGardTM protection is a complete window system that includes laminated glass, which has an incredibly strong interlayer sandwiched between two layers of glass to deliver extra impact resistance.

ImpactGard protection is different because the interlayer JELD-WEN uses is 100 times more rigid than the industry standard, delivering five times the tear strength. This means the windows will endure more force during a storm and provide a greater level of protection. ImpactGard helps prevent wind damage by resisting impacts from debris and keeping the building envelope intact during storms.

Windows with ImpactGard protection are designed to meet the toughest building codes, especially in Florida, and now are available along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from Massachusetts through Texas. They can withstand a nine-pound 2x4 board traveling at 34 miles per hour. Even if the glass cracks under pressure, the fragments will adhere to the interlayer, minimizing the danger of falling or flying glass.

Dangers of board blight
Although better storm technology is now available, boarding up windows and doors with plywood remains a common practice as a relatively affordable method that offers protection against severe storm conditions. However, boarding up windows and doors can open homeowners up to a host of other issues. For example, boards and storm shutters can be used effectively when homeowners are home, but for seasonal residents or those who travel, they may be impractical or impossible to employ when storm warnings suddenly strike. Experts say that impact-resistant windows offer much better protection for the simple reason that they are always installed.

Another problem with boarding windows and doors is that, for some homeowners, temporary does not always mean temporary. Leaving windows boarded up for weeks or months not only devalues a home and a neighborhood, but also is a security risk since a boarded up home can appear vacant. 

Additionally, safety can be severely compromised if windows are left boarded up. Fire officials warn that boards on windows may prevent residents from getting out of the house to safety in event of a fire, or make it harder for rescue workers to get in.

“Impact-resistant windows operate the same way as other windows,” said Hedlund. “They offer great protection against storms and potential intruders, and they are easy to operate in the event of an emergency. ImpactGard protection is also invisible - they look just as stylish as our other windows.”

Not all homeowners are all aboard
While installing plywood over windows and doors is a relatively straightforward do-it-yourself project, it does require some carpentry. Plywood is heavy and bulky, and not everyone has the physical capabilities to hoist and secure it properly, especially when it comes to upstairs windows. Homeowners may have trouble trying to tackle the project on their own. Proper sizing, labeling and storing of plywood so that it can be applied quickly before the onset of a sudden storm also can be tricky.

For homeowners who don’t plan ahead, tracking down plywood during storm warnings can be a time consuming hassle, and a job that may not be able to be done in time if severe weather strikes more quickly than predicted. The effort spent having to purchase, transport, prepare and board up windows also takes valuable time away from other necessary emergency preparations. And materials may run out as consumers storm nearby building supply stores.

Boarding up a home involves drilling holes and securing anchors into the solid wood that frames the doors and windows. This can cause moisture to enter unprotected holes that are not filled or repaired correctly. Water can penetrate the wood and damage paint and siding, leading to problems down the road. If homeowners plan to board up their windows and doors, they should carefully follow proper instructions from a reliable source.

According to the Texas A&M University Cooperative Extension System, impact-resistant windows are optimal for windows not easily fitted with hurricane shutters or those that are hard to reach. All experts recommend being prepared before an extreme storm threatens, and no matter what precautions are used, if you are told to evacuate, it is essential to do so.

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant with 15 employees in 1960, and has grown to more than 20,000 employees in nearly 150 locations worldwide. Today the company manufactures a full breadth of windows, doors and garage doors, and has earned numerous awards and endorsements for reliability, innovation and excellence. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN® products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.