11 Ways to Avoid Hurricane Damage

The tremendous power of a hurricane can leave a home in ruins. You can minimize the potential damage to your home, cut the cost your home insurance, and save on repairs with the help of many available home improvement products. Making sure your home is ready for hurricane season does not need to be expensive.

Here are several ways to avoid hurricane damage

Plywood

• Some nails and a sheet of plywood is one of the most popular ways to prepare for a storm. Some homeowners will place 5/8 to ½ inch plywood a day or two before a hurricane hits their area.
• The cost of the plywood will vary by location. Typically, you can expect to pay between $20-$30 per sheet.
• The plywood is very effective for protecting your windows from flying debris and is easy for the homeowner to install.
• The plywood can be used from season to season if it is stored correctly.

Fabric panels

• Polymer-based, fabric panels add cushion to windows and doors.
• The panels repel debris without blocking visibility of the storms.
• The panels are anchored to the edges of the windows and doorways with grommets and wing-nuts.
• The panels cost between $5-$15 per square foot.
• The panels are easily installed and removed.
• The panels can be rolled up and stored in a compact space.
• These panels usually require professional installation.

Hurricane straps

• Hurricane straps, clips and anchor belts are installed by the builder to keep the home’s roof intact during a hurricane.
• The straps are inexpensive and sell for as little as $0.50 each.
• A typical family home could require hundreds of straps to be installed.
• Some insurance companies will offer a discount to homeowners who have hurricane straps installed.
• Having hurricane straps retrofitted for an existing home can be time-consuming, difficult and expensive.

Flood barriers

• Sandbags are the least expensive option, however they are heavy and it may take hundreds of bags to make a solid barrier.
• Other types of flood barriers are:
• Powder-filled absorbent door dams
• Water-filled tubes
• Expanding bags
• Portable walls

The price of any of these barriers varies from a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.Storm panels

• Aluminum shutters or corrugated steel is one of the best ways to protect your windows from flying debris during a hurricane.
• The panels vary in thickness and attach to the exterior of the windows with a system of tracks and bolts.
• The price for these panels runs from $7-$15 per square foot.
• The panels can be deployed quickly before the storm and removed quickly afterwards.