Any suggestion on how to board up a Florida room for a hurricane?

[SouthernDem2004]

I plan on taking the windows out but might leave them in to re-enforce the boards. Any suggestions?

[BlondieK143]

1. I don't know, but good luck

And stay safe!!!

[ewagner]

2. What kind of windows?

casement or jalosies (sp)?

We had the casement and boarding up over them was no problem...

[SouthernDem2004]

4. No idea.. They are large sliding windows that come out easily. /nt

[ihaveaquestion]

3. I'd take the windows down, if I were you.

But if you leave them in see if you can get that new window contact paper stuff that has a nylon mesh on it and coat the windows with it. It's made by 3M and it seems like it'd work to keep the glass together if it breaks.

[SouthernDem2004]

6. I am worried if I take them out the boards will not have enough backing

to resist 130mph winds. I do not want wind to enter the room and get lift on the roof of the house.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. Move to California

You don't need to board up for earthquakes.

[SouthernDem2004]

7. Ah, but I get several days warning. :p /nt

[OffWithTheirHeads]

16. Yeah but that takes the excitment out of it.

Actually, I love severe weather and I'd really like to be in a hurricane. Stuff like earthquakes and hurricans are Mom Natures way of putting things in perspective.

[SouthernDem2004]

18. Cat 3 or 4 are rather bad and I hope you are never in one.

I have to work out in these things and its not any fun.

[FloridaPat]

8. Boards the windows. Are you able to do that? If you take the windows

out you leave the room wide open to the hurricane. A strong enough hurricane will tear the room to peaces and if you have a sliding glass door between your home and the florida room it could get creamed and there goes your home. That happened with Andrew. One little hole in the roof and the hurricane got it's foothold. I had a friend in Ft. Meade who didn't board up the windows. Charlie came through and broke several windows, two from the inside. She had leaves imbeded in her walls. She had 6 inches of sand in her closets, even though the doors were closed. She had a 2 story home and the 2nd story moved 1/2 inch. The cement stadium behind her at the school was moved 6 feet.

[SouthernDem2004]

9. Hmm, Sounds like I need to figure out some way to board them.

Not sure yet if I can do it very well. They are large window openings and the wind will probably push in the boards without the glass backing it. I am not worried about the windows breaking. I am worried about the roof lifting off.

[FloridaPat]

10. Is the Florida room cement block or siding? Another though

is to replace them with windows that can withstand 130 mph. Or board them from the inside. Good luck. I hope we won't need the extra precaution this year. Last year was more than enough.

[SouthernDem2004]

11. Problem is that it is siding... Nothing in the room of value its just

the roof worries me. Its a newer home and its never been through a major hurricane. It has taken a good blow from hurricanes but not a cat 3 or 4.

[FloridaPat]

13. Should be enough wood in the window frame to drill in screws.

If possible the outside because then the storm would have to blow the wood through the window. But make sure there are lots of screws. Other things though: there are window shades made of metal you just pull down. Also the old hurricane awnings they have on mobile homes. And there is always Bahama awnings I think their called. And panels on the outside of the window that you pull together and tie them. They have fake ones on homes. The real ones should work especially if they are made of metal.

[ewagner]

12. I'd leave them up

and put a plywood protection over them...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. Take your car and drive north

[SouthernDem2004]

17. I am a Police Officer. I have to stay and work during it. I am sending

my wife and kids north though.

[Maddy McCall]

15. Leave your windows in. Get some 2 1/2" wood screws.

Put your plywood (preferably 1/2") up over your windows, and drill your screws into the wood framing around your windows. You'll probably need someone to hoist the plywood while you drill. Don't drill into the siding--drill into the wood framing of the window. There's no need to take the windows out.

[qanda]

19. No advice

Just wishing you Godspeed. May you make it through the storm unscathed.