| If you live close to the Gulf coast then you should be | | | | to close these shutters when compared to nailing |
| pretty used to the idea of hurricanes by now! In this | | | | sheets of plywood to your home. |
| area winds commonly reach as high as 100+ miles per | | | | There are several different types of storm shutters: |
| hour, this high wind can last for many hours. This | | | | - Exterior storm shutters - These are designed to be |
| wind causes trees to fall over, and also causes | | | | functional but also fairly decorative. They protect |
| damage to houses. In particular these winds can blow | | | | your windows from wind and any flying debris. These |
| out your windows. | | | | are very useful if you go on holiday for a few weeks |
| People living in these areas have come up with | | | | as they can secure your home. You can make your |
| ingenious ways of protecting their lives and their | | | | own storm shutters using wood if required. |
| property. One of the most successful ways of | | | | - You can also purchase pre-manufactured storm |
| protecting your property is to board it up before the | | | | shutters, these are typically made out of wood or a |
| storm hits. The doors and windows should be | | | | heavy grade of vinyl. These are available in many |
| covered using protective sheets which stops the | | | | different styles, sizes and colors. |
| glass from shattering. This also helps to keep the rain | | | | - Rolling style shutters are also available, these are |
| out, and so the house has a much better chance of | | | | typically manufactured from aluminum. These shutters |
| survival. | | | | are also useful at controlling the amount of light let |
| Many lumber yards in the area sell a lot of wood | | | | into the property. |
| during the time before the storm as people are | | | | All of these types of shutter are fairly easy to install |
| buying things to protect their homes with. Some | | | | for a competent DIYer! Most popular shutter designs |
| people will wait until the last minute, and so rush out | | | | are made out of tongue and groove, which makes |
| to buy plywood and other materials. Due to waiting | | | | them easy to fit together: |
| until the last minute plywood will be very expensive, | | | | 1. Start by measuring the width and height of your |
| not to mention it will make your house look awful, | | | | window. Your window may not be square, so be |
| not that anyone will mind when a storm hits! You will | | | | sure to check at all edges. |
| then have to take the boards off the doors and | | | | 2. Start to assemble the boards together, use clamps |
| windows after the storm has finished, this is a very | | | | to hold them in place. Cut them to length, but make |
| time consuming process. | | | | sure they are half an inch shorter than the height of |
| Some people have come up with a much easier way | | | | the window. |
| to protect their homes. Instead of boarding up their | | | | 3. Paint them whatever color you like |
| windows they have installed protective shutters and | | | | 4. Hang on your house using nice hinges |
| storm windows to their properties. These shutters | | | | Storms aren't fun, but that doesn't mean that they |
| and windows are capable of protecting the home | | | | have to damage your home. By investing in some of |
| from damage when a storm hits, plus they do not | | | | these simple ideas you can save yourself a lot of |
| look ugly. These can be left up, you do not have to | | | | money in the future. |
| pay any money again when a storm hits. It's so easy | | | | |