In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner several ways to protect windows during a storm.
Hurricane Window Protection Options
- A layer of ⅝-inch-thick plywood can protect windows from a 2×4 traveling at 34 miles per hour. An identical layer of oriented-strand board (OSB) can’t.
- Covering windows with resin-treated ballistic nylon will prevent the 2×4 from shooting into the house, but it won’t keep the window from breaking.
- Metal storm shutters are permanently mounted to the house. If struck in the right place, the shutters can bend inward and crack the window.
- A window with impact-resistant glass will shatter when struck, but the window won’t break apart or crack open.