What to do with the windows before a Hurricane?

Question

Hi, everyone Apparently a tropical storm is going to hit Florida, and I want to know if I should keep my windows open or have them closed during the storm. I've heard two different sides to this, and hope someone could provide me with a solid explanation.

Thnx!

Answer 1

It is only a tropical storm.  The windows should be closed and if you wish to protect them from flying debris, covered with masking tape or plywood.  The biggest threat from tropical storms is not the wind but the rain and possible tidal surge.  So, flooding is more of a worry.  

During Hurricanes, protecting the integrity of the windows is important.  Most structures are able to withstand considerable winds from outside but in the wind gets inside it can push out walls and lift off roofs.  

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Answer 2

Obviously it's too late to order storm shutters for this storm.  If you can afford it, completely board up the windows if you can, here's why.  Objects hurled through the air at speeds of Tropical Storm and Hurricane force can go right through your windows.  Another big factor is the "wind load", the pressure against the glass from those high winds can cause your windows to burst inwards. Here's the terrible reality, you make not think that a broken window can mean that much, but when the winds are blowing the rain sideways at those high speeds, the 8" - 25" inches of rain that are accompanying those winds are going to go straight into those broken windows and FLOOD your house!  Yeah, that's right!  Even if the flood waters don't come up high enough to come into your house, your house will flood from THE INSIDE OUT! Even if nothing HITS the window, the wind load can take them out.  ANYTHING you can do to increase the resistance of the forces against those windows can be the difference between losing some shingles, and losing EVERYTHING!  Even at the very least, putting tape on your windows is better than nothing, it can help the glass keep it's structural orientation intact longer.  (Help keep them from breaking.  Even if it cracks, the tape has a chance to keep it from breaking completely.  Good Luck.  I hope it misses you.

By experience, I know that any preparation even if the storm misses you, is better than no preparation at all and find that the storms' movement doesn't exactly go where the National Hurricane Center thinks it will.

Answer 3

You put boards over the windows and keep them closed. Leaving them open will result in your roof ripping off. That's because the pressure from wind pushing air into your house will inflate your house like a balloon. The pressure from the inflation eventually overcomes the nails holding your roof on and poof! There goes your roof. The boards are to keep the glass from breaking from flying debris outside. However, you should consider getting hurricane shutters, considering that boards are a last-resort type protection.