How to Choose Hurricane Window Protection | Ask This Old House

[@raffytan]

Someone give the homeowner an Oscar

[@seofilipino]

hahaahhaha

[@pvann4890]

But it still bwoke the gwass tawmy. And it is expwensive.

[@briand.1694]

He was so obviously acting!

[@utubewillyman]

I actually wonder if there were cue cards for him.

[@superspecialty5169]

It was probably his son in-law?

[@mikeprioletti9025]

Living in Miami and being a Hurricane Shutter Contractor, the installation of the accordion and mesh protection systems were painfully wrong. Also on the accordion shutters, the pins were not in place to keep the shutter from opening. If the pins had been in place and the shutter had the required 3” offset from the opening, the system would not have failed. But hey, I’m just an informed contractor and this is a TV show.

[@mikeprioletti9025]

Rule of thumb is and will always be that steel or aluminum storm panels will always be the strongest. However, they are the most labor intensive to install. Impact windows are trash. They will break and will cost a significant amount to replace. Accordion shutters are easy to close and do a great job when installed correctly, however they are inferior to storm panels. Plywood is a good option in a pinch, but will rott and need yo be replaced every few years.

[@mikeprioletti9025]

@Navy1977 they work. More work than they are worth. But it's your money to spend.

[@mikeprioletti9025]

Where is the house being built? Will there be a lanai to be enclosed? Will it be a wood frame or CBS construction?

[@mikeprioletti9025]

I would do the most cost effective impact resistant windows only for soundproofing. On top of that, I would put any type of storm panels that are not direct mount. The anchors in the wall for the direct mounts tend to break after five or seven years. As far as the lanai, I would put in accordion shutters, That way, you can actually use that as a storage area in the event of a storm. The only exception to this would be accordion shutters in place of. Storm panels, but even then, I would recommend anything at least $25 a square foot or more installed simply because it has greater wind resistance.

[@ScooterWisdom]

What is not a direct mount for panels? I’m looking for a new solution. Been using Plylox and plywood. Hasn’t failed, but hasn’t really been put to the test yet.

[@knight1591]

home owner:Tommy what happened? tom: window broke that what happened

[@benito5125]

Great video as always. I appreciate the clarity and straight to the point instructions.

[@eloquentlight]

The real hero of this segment is that safety buzzer.

[@morecrapforputdowns]

Tom "alright cheap skate" Silva

[@yarpyarp5647]

[CC] Well Okay cheese Kate

[@grantreese2507]

50 years of technology and it's still a sheet of 5/8 plywood that wins.

[@francosepulveda8438]

True!

[@geemanfunman1267]

Moral of the story 5/8 plywood is the cheapest yet strongest way to go.

[@focusandrelaxthroughsound1302]

It is strong only if it is installed properly.

[@erickfernandez8485]

Problem is that if u try and get it when the storm is coming they jack up the prices and resellers buy out the stores best bet would be to buy them off season and cut them to size and during hurricane season just put them up until it ends

[@camper1749]

@@erickfernandez8485 Some stores even offer free cutting if you buy a full sheet of plywood.

[@stephenvoss6092]

Amazing how an extra 1/8 of an inch can make a world of difference

[@CutieRingoJoy]

@@erickfernandez8485 just have some instock in your house

[@patabastip]

The storm shutter test is misleading. I had storm shutters in Florida and they had 4 solid top and bottom steel slide bolts at the joining that slid well into the framing to secure the shuter center. The little center latch was only to get the shutters closed tight, not to support the center of the shutter. They didn't appear to use the slide bolts so of course the latch gave way.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

They used non county approved aluminum side closing shutters. It was missing the 4 pins that close down and prevent what just happened in the video.

[@l3olanza]

2 layers of plywood on exterior with 5/8 all tread rod through center connected to a 2x4 running across the width of the window on the inside to secure it in place

[@brianmoore180]

Hi, do you have a picture of this? I'm trying to understand your setup exactly

[@l3olanza]

@brianmoore180 No, but I can try to explain it better. Open the window, plywood on the outside covering the window, the all thread goes through the plywood, through the window opening and should be sticking out inside the house. Take a 2x4 drill a hole in it for the al thread to through. The 2x4 stretches the width of the window. Then just use some nuts and washers to tighten it down with a wrench. Note, there’s other ways to do it where the wi how remains closed. This method can leak water with you don’t have a tight seal with maybe weather stripping around the edges of the plywood.

[@brianmoore180]

@l3olanza That's brilliant! Thank you sir. If you could also explain how to do it while keeping the window closed I would appreciate that.

[@l3olanza]

@ They have little wedges that go in between the plywood and the brick to hold it in place. That's about all I know though

[@brianmoore180]

@@l3olanza Much appreciated!

[@zakarathedragonqueen7254]

you guys miss one type the galvanized steel panels.

[@NAB622]

"Sure gives me and my family something to think about" Yep. Some good old 5/8" plywood, that's what.

[@miss_kolissa]

Seems the only logical thing🤔

[@nosnosco1]

And here we learn that the best and cheapest way to do this. Is with plywood!

[@TYLERCONSTRUCTION]

N Musharbash B.B.

[@RoundBallDefender]

The Hurricane fabric isn’t designed to prevent damage to the windows. It’s designed to prevent the entry of the wind and rain from hurricanes IF a window or door is damaged. No fabric, and the wind and rain enter the house and that’s when you start loosing roofs. The Hurricane fabric keeps the weather out, thus saving your home structure. The benefit of the fabric, is you can fold them up and store them in a much smaller space, unlike plywood or metal Hurricane panels.

[@JohannSbs]

So what happens when the impact glass window is hit again?

[@Quentyn73]

How about using a normal shutters?

[@jamesgannon8914]

Tommy is awesome!

[@lyfandeth]

How about telling us what makes a good hurricane window, versus an inferior one?

[@robynschofer]

Why didn't you cover roll down shutters? When I lived in Florida, we had accordian shutters on our Condo and they never failed us. There was a condo downstairs that someone was trying to break into on night, I guess they didn't realize we were on the deck watching him. He wasn't able to break into these shutters either. We watched him for a while because we were afraid to move and let him know we were there. I snuck in, called the police and they caught him. He never breached the lock.

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Looks to me like a good reason why they should raise the base codes on structures to 5/8 plywood on the walls and roof over 2x4 studs. I always thought OSB was stronger because it doesn't have a grain, but clearly I was wrong. Personally I hate OSB because once it gets wet it turns to crap, but I suppose it would still make an okay floor decking as long as you can keep it dry.

[@muddwhistle7833]

I just paid $98 a sheet in Los Angeles

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@GmanUyMVD]

what about the different window size for the last one? how does that affect the results?

[@StevenKesselRealtor]

They always fire the two by four once at impact-resistant glass and it breaks. I would love to see what happens when a second two-by-four is fired at the window after it broke.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Steve it wont break. You can repeatedly hit the same spot.

[@lillyanneserrelio2187]

@@videosuperhighway7655 I keep telling my boyfriend that but not even he believes it.

[@nashonabo821]

@@lillyanneserrelio2187 LMAO! That was funny

[@gregcorwin8316]

The standard test (Miami-Dade or ASTM windzone 4, is two impacts to the glass. This is a demo, not a test

[@AlympiaPeaceful]

Please try Storm Stoppers product

[@CutieRingoJoy]

How you install on second floor

[@edbouhl3100]

Still waiting for Scotty to come back in time with the formula for transparent aluminum.

[@GlassicGamer]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxynitride

[@theshuman100]

just have a solid piece of saphire as a window pane

[@fluxstandard8364]

BEST CLIP EVER

[@pianokeyjoe]

As a lover of bullet resistant and laminated glass, To prevent having to buy $1000 plus laminated glass windows again, get the windows AND pay the $38 per sheet of 3/4 plywood. That $38 you spend per window now, will save you tens of thousands later if you live in Florida or Texas!

[@diamondbracelette]

second story and third story windows tho..

[@JRS-iq9pz]

They didn't do aluminum hurricane panels, which are lighter and cheaper. Also didn't do clear polycarbonate panels.

[@AFAskygoddess]

Yes, aluminum panels are a very common protection in Florida. I'm sitting out Hurricane Ian now. That's what is over my windows. But thanks to c0vid, the price wasn't cheap. Just cheaper than accordion shutters. And good luck finding plywood in Florida when there's a hurricane threatening. You'd have to drive to Georgia to buy some.

[@jonileviness9706]

Also why didn't they show the shutters you put up by hand?

[@alikakalanihuiajr.7946]

How old is this episode? What about poly carbonated hurricane panels?

[@sdushdiu]

...and roll down metal doors/shutters?

[@focusandrelaxthroughsound1302]

They are shutters

[@electrifyinglightningbolt]

They should test some sheets of lexan as well.

[@crabtrap]

"Hey!, lets stand infront of a lumber cannon with a blinking safety beacon on!!!"

[@jonileviness9706]

Did it show whether the window on the inside of the film and outer window, broke? I couldn't tell cuz it's on a wood platform rather than a frame.

[@jamesq4451]

Was that just the impact window it self and not a double pane window with the impact window? Doesn't the first glass just break pretty easy so it has to be replaced anyway. Doesn't somebody just sell single pane impact windows?

[@prometheus8010]

So have the metal shudders come down and hide in a a small gap to lock it behind reinforced concrete for an accurate test

[@DamienNicholas]

i'd do a combination of the membrane windows and plywood for when it really does happen. plywood even at $80+ a sheet, it's still cheaper than replacing the glass.

[@sdushdiu]

+Damien Nicholas Or simply forgo the absurdly expensive Kevlar membrane and simply install adequately thick plywood.

[@AFAskygoddess]

In 2022, you won't find any plywood in Florida when a hurricane threatens.

[@weatherwarriormedia]

Old and completely ignored corrugated option which is the second most common protection used after plywood

[@supersaiyangoku3580]

What about laminated glass

[@catfivecane]

Don't get me wrong, I like Impact glass windows, but this is a terrible comparison of different types of protection to use... Plywood is great but takes two men and many hours to install them properly. Needs cutting to size with 2" to 4" overlap around the windows. Is very heavy to install larger windows with screws 8" apart.... and that's the first floor. bring a crew and ladders for second floor. Bottom line, it's short lived... wood rots over time. Missing steel and alum storm panels with tracks. Tested cheap Accordion shutters without 1/2" pins to hold the shutter together. Missing bahamas, colonials and roll down shutters. Hurricane Ron... Home Adviser Pro (Miami)

[@pzozzie]

glad i have miami dade rated aluminum panels.

[@erickfernandez8485]

How about 2 pieces of OSB? Still cheaper than 1 piece of plywood? Those OSB boards are 6 bucks a piece

[@privacylock855]

Aren't the walls of most houses made from that OSB (aka waifer board)? the one the 2X4 went straight thru? I don't have a 'warm fuzzy' feeling this .

[@JD-hs7ib]

I'll take plywood for the win Alex.

[@grantlandneil]

No hurricanes here, but for added security yes, to the laminated windows.

[@warrenwiz5]

What's the uptick on the laminated window cost? .. nvm - other commenter said $30k for 10 windows where they're located... yeesh.

[@SurvivalTipsx1]

I think you can get security window film especially if you are from america, they should be much less expensive.

[@diamondbracelette]

@@warrenwiz5 for average sized residential windows, Andersen's 400 series "Stormwatch" windows (impact resistant class and some upgraded hardware) are a little less than double the cost of a standard 400 window. Just an example.

[@hebneh]

They didn't say that the inner layer of the impact glass flew to pieces. There was no hole, but the window was destroyed, and broken glass would've flown around inside the house. I'd say the plywood was better than that.

[@JoeBlow-we1px]

Hey you noticed. They were shooting at the wrong side of the window. The laminated glass always goes on the inside of the house for this reason. Their ignorance is puzzling.

[@SenseiFire]

I learned that a $30 sheet of plywood is the only option that doesn't break my glass....wtf lol

[@nolau5789]

What do you think about crimsafe screens?

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

I hate them. They aren't even crim!

[@TrogdorBurnin8or]

There is no law of nature saying that all projectiles travel at 34 miles per hour. Good testing established failure points, it doesn't just make a threshold judgement. OSB may be moderately weaker at the same thickness, but *how much weaker* is important. It's also possible that eg OSB + fabric is much stronger than ply.

[@JRS-iq9pz]

Just put up hurricane panels and you are protected. Much cheaper then impact windows. They wanted $30,000 to put impact windows on my house, with just 10 windows.

[@carolkosko3444]

You can buy the vinyl at Home Depot and just apply it to your current windows. We used it tinted to block out the sunshine in FL. It made a huge difference.

[@MrAgatto2]

solid panel ?

[@TheTallOne890]

This is one reason I like new yor k not even as close to as many natural disasters as other states

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

This seems like tornado strength damage more than hurricane, no? Most hurricane damage is a result of water and coastal flooding rather than severe winds sending 2x4s through walls. I saw the Tom Skilling video back from the early/mid 1990s about tornados so I know. :D

[@RosyMapleMoth55]

Tornado came down the west side of my house during Florence in 2018. I didn't lose a single window covered w 3/4" OSB. But, needed a whole new roof. Shingles were everywhere, tore through my patio screening, holes in my siding, up in the trees, over at the neighbors, everybody got a few. On the east side all the shingles were lifted and seals broken. What a mess.

[@nickjohnson4449]

Hi all

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Your cousin...from Bawston!

[@tim22589]

"The plywood is much stronger"; Every new construction house is build with OSB.

[@ralanham76]

I know wtf... Who getting paid for the bad regulations

[@cal121000]

td_01923 price is a big factor when general contractors have 100+ houses a year

[@AlMai222]

Caleb Dagenais Lol I think if you’re grossing off 100+ homes a year you can spend on plywood instead of osb.

[@Manny-117]

Builders dont care they just want as big a profit as possible as long as osb is up to "code" or meets it theyll use it cause its cheaper which is probably why when the time comes ill build my own house and not buy a tract home

[@DreamBelieveDiscoverExplore]

I’m in Florida could you please help me find Hurricane impact windows and install them as well.

[@airblaster33]

big stawm comin'

[@tibortamas3544]

Where is the polycarbonate , incomplete

[@jakegonzales8185]

Impact glass makes it worse for firefighters in a fire because they cannot break the windows easily.

[@iLikeC00kieDough]

Jake Gonzales an axe to that will bust it open just fine

[@arthurmartin1885]

That's why peoples should have efficients smoke detectors. In Europe some houses have automatic roller shutters which opens automatically if a fire is detected

[@focusandrelaxthroughsound1302]

The fire department uses a big saw that they have to cut metal sheets(like in car's accidents).

[@focusandrelaxthroughsound1302]

@@iLikeC00kieDough an axe won't go throughout. That is why windows have to comply with minimum opening requirements(20x24 clearance)

[@rbeck3200tb40]

Well that never happens so dont worry about it

[@emmanuelvelazquez3197]

Missing a few other options

[@bradenwelch1967]

No one gonna talk about how this dude stares?😂

[@opsecamen630]

Ill take the plywood.

[@superspecialty5169]

Either way it’s going to hurt you in your “pocket book”. Also, the test was for 34mph, not for a hurricane! I remember seeing a video where they shot a 2x4 at 100mph and it went right through a hollow tile wall, which may have survived if it was filled with concrete, which leads you back to the “pocket book” situation!

[@briand.1694]

Kind of misleading with the accordion shutters. Many accordion shutters have multiple points to secure them, not just a twist lock where the two sliding panels meet. This was an attempt to discourage potential customers from buying anything other than impact glass windows. A costly yet effective way to protect your home during a hurricane.

[@TheSquidPro]

This test proves shutters made out of laminate can be effective AND cheap, but I'd like to comment that shutters can be very stylish as well when painted or decorated with wooden carvings or both! Look at authentic European architecture to get a better idea, so you can be protected and look good doing it.

[@DAM89]

Polycarbonate is best.

[@chainster2278]

when r u coming on TV agent

[@Branziman]

So... Don't buy hurricane resistant window and just put up plywood got it thanks! LOL

[@Branziman]

@@Mike-ug8yc I suppose that does make sense not everyone can put it up. Also I think shutters might do better in real world scenario what's probability the plywood hits directly on the shutter latch?

[@iorfidaskye]

BAN fluted assault boards!

[@maries8278]

it's not the board, it's the cannon...which is a weapon of war and not for civilian use...

[@johnnyyankee8604]

All the OSB sales guys hate this video.

[@bowesman1000]

i have a house in sw fl i built in 2006. we've been through five named storms four were 80-100 mph winds and gusts. ian was different. we had 180 gusts plus. we had zero protection on our builder grade single pane palladians and single hungs along with 30' of three separate sliding glass door wall units. we suffered severe concrete barrel tile roof damage and we are still waiting for the roof contractor to start on replacing the entire roof. but our windows without any protection at all did well. we just got an estimate for impact resistant windows, nothing different than what we have except I R, and it is totally ridiculous. window companies are thieves. this video prove that you can spend 50-75 thousand dollars

[@ase2060]

If your first and last line of defense is glass GOOD LUCK.

[@RobertMatheny-Lts]

Action.

[@DordiHOTS]

LOL at the metal

[@jasonforte2949]

Where the other episodes

[@pauljohn6546]

Do they come with instructions in SPANISH?

[@brandon32114]

How about those 2021 plywood prices 🙄

[@LuvWFT]

Cannon loaded, Red light flashing..dont get in the line of fire?

[@patrickwilliam00]

Why would anyone want glass of any kind after watching this? Polycarbonate under storm shutters, with actual brackets or bolts to hold in place as other mentioned, seems more resilient. Sure, one impact there's still water protection, what if there are two? Then 75% of the home floods because of one open window and game over.

[@juliof970]

He's gonna pick the particle board board.

[@xMister.Misterx]

“It’s remockable the plywood held up betta then thee OSB.”

[@natecasella1395]

Shoot a 2nd "flying object "oh wait mother nature wouldn't do that! Yep plywood

[@PJJ196]

Just the plywood then lol

[@iwontliveinfear]

$30/sheet for 5/8 ply... Man I remember when wood was that cheap. Now it's more than double that.

[@stanleysiewierski]

5/8" plywood at $30 a sheet! I get 3/4" at $23 a sheet.

[@DyLemmaOG]

tommy what happened LMAO

[@32toddv]

Ok Cheapskate, lets do this! Lmao

[@luisantanao424]

i wanted to see 2 of the $10 boards put togetther still saving 10 dollars

[@yssadelsol8186]

He didn’t close properly the accordion shooters!

[@michaelmolter6180]

But what about 3 layers of 1/2" OSB?

[@wildernessradio1653]

hims house is side of 1/2 OSB and vinyl. That'd be worst than the window one.

[@kbear704]

Soooo, plywood seems like the best option.

[@sew2prosper]

So you telling me 5/8 plywood is the way to go.....oh okay!

[@billywilson3435]

Anyone still answering comments on here?

[@brendanwilson4876]

Billy Wilson yes

[@quinnmatthews4142]

This had to be an expensive episode

[@richarderrington9478]

Those storm shutters are terrible!!