Boarding Up Your Windows Before a Storm
The windows that are boarded up will lessen the damage caused by vandalism and natural disasters. It also protects the residents of the home from shattered glass.
Use a tape to measure the width and height along the edges of the window frame. Note down all measurements. Choose corrosion-resistant screws with deep penetration into the framing.
Pre-storm preparation
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, board your windows to protect yourself from damage. It is essential to put up a fence prior to a storm's arrival. This allows you time to prepare and gather the materials you require. You can put up a board on your home as soon as an official watch has been issued.
Prepare the window frame. Clean the area thoroughly and remove all debris that could blow around during a storm and damage your house. It is also important to remove any things in the backyard that could easily be taken away by the force of high winds, like bikes, lawn furniture propane tanks, building material.
Then, measure each window opening to determine how much plywood you will need. Make sure to mark the width and height by aligning the inside edges of the window frame with the trim on the outside. If the window is double-hung or an inoperable bay window with full-sill, you need to add eight inches both to the height and width to allow for an overhang of four inches on each side.
Buy plywood that is 5/8-inch thick or greater and is free from knots. This kind of plywood provides a 30% higher impact strength than oriented-strand board (OSB). It is easily accessible and cheap. It should be exterior grade and, ideally, CDX, which means it is water-resistant.
Install the stainless steel hanger bolts at 16 inch intervals inside the window frame and then drill holes to match in the plywood panels. This will allow you to quickly mount the plywood when a storm is approaching, and it can help you save time during installation. You can also label each panel and mark it with an an arrow to clearly identify the door or window that it will cover.
After you have placed the plywood on each window it is possible to use duct tape to secure and hold it in the position. It is a good idea to apply an adhesive tape that is strong instead of regular duct tape, as it will hold up better and stop moisture from entering.
Post-storm recovery
If your home has been affected by a natural disaster or an act of vandalism, boarding windows can safeguard your home until repairs are made. It can also prevent further damage and discourage criminal actions. Boarding is a fast efficient, cost-effective and economical process. It's an excellent alternative for homeowners facing a severe hurricane.
Take measurements of the height and width of each window prior to you begin to build them up. This will allow you to find the appropriate size of sheets of plywood. Take out the old windows and clean any broken glass.
It's recommended that you use 5/8-inch-thick plywood for building windows. This kind of plywood has superior impact strength compared to OSB, which is oriented strand board (OSB). In the ideal scenario, you should purchase exterior-grade boards. They are generally more expensive, but they will provide greater protection from weather damage.
After you've gathered all the required materials and have a plan of action, the boarding process can begin. It's usually a two-person job and you can ask for help from friends or family members if needed. You could also hire a person to do the job. This option is especially beneficial for those who have large homes or limited mobility.
After determining the openings of each window then use a saw to cut the plywood sheets to the proper dimensions. It's important to use a good tool for this job because you want the cuts to be straight and precise. You should also drill pilot holes in the wood and into the wall's framing, prior to installing them. This step will prevent the wood from splitting.
Position a plywood sheet over each window and center it. To ensure a perfect fit ensure that the plywood sheet is extended beyond the windows on all sides. Drill pilot holes in the frame and plywood at a distance of 16 inches. This will prevent screws from penetrating too deeply into the wood and weakening it.
Install a washer of metal on top of each screw. This will prevent the screw from sinking into the plywood too deeply and causing damage. Make sure that the screws are long and wide enough to reach each window sill. This will hold the plywood in position in the event of a storm, and will prevent water leakage.
Break-ins
Following a burglary the first thing you should do is to secure any windows or doors that have been damaged. This will stop unauthorized access to the property, and also protect the contents of your business or home against further destruction. It signals criminals that your premises are vacant and may even discourage them from committing future crimes.
If you're preparing a vacant property to sell, boarded-up windows can help protect it from potential buyers. trowbridge boarding up services that boarding all windows not be the best idea since it could send an indication to criminals of your need for cash or property. In addition, prospective buyers is likely to have a difficult to imagine living in the home when it's covered in plywood.
Another way to ensure your home is secure is to install security bars on the exterior of your window frames. While they can be a great deterrent to burglars bars can be dislodged or broken by objects that are thrown at them. Installing security glass made of polycarbonate is a permanent solution to burglaries. The polycarbonate is 250-times stronger than glass, and is designed to bend under pressure. This means that criminals are unable to smash the glass into the frame.
By boarding up your windows and doors, you will not only stop burglaries, but will also shield your building against further damage. Rain, snow, and hail can flood the interior of your home and cause damage to fixtures or furniture. Making sure that doors and windows are boarded up can reduce the risk of injury to employees or patrons who could be injured by falling glass.
If you need assistance with boarding up your home or business after an incident, call Valor Taskers. Our Taskers are well-equipped with the tools and materials to secure your damaged property quickly. They can also take care of any other repair and cleaning tasks you'll need to complete after a disaster strikes.
Weather-related damage
Extreme weather conditions can cause serious damage to buildings and businesses. From an erupting tornado to a hurricane, these natural disasters can cause havoc to communities across the nation. If your home or property has been damaged as a result of a devastating storm, the best method to safeguard your home and avoid further damage is to invest in emergency boarding services.
Window boarding is a service near me that makes use of plywood boards to secure broken windows and doors. This prevents further damage. The cost of this service is contingent on the size and number of windows to be covered as well as the location of your property. The cost of the board materials also play an important part in the final cost of the project.
Window Boarding Up: Benefits and Uses
Emergency boarding can be vital to protect your home after the occurrence of a catastrophe or in stopping criminal actions. It keeps intruders away and stops further damage to property until repairs are completed. In addition, boarding up can help ensure the insurance eligibility. Many insurance companies require that buildings be secured immediately following an incident to ensure protection.
In addition to warding off intruders, an expertly installed tarp cover and boarding service can protect personal belongings as well as business assets. This is important because items left exposed to the elements could get damaged and could even be an fire hazard. Boarding up helps keep valuables secure until they are repaired or replaced.
A tarp covering and boarding services can also help stabilize a structure that is unstable, making it safer for contractors and inspectors who are working on repairs. The boards stop further damage to the building and minimize the risk of injury to residents and people passing by. The windows that are boarded up are an effective safety measure, as broken glass poses a serious risk to pets and children.