Boarding up windows
Windows with broken seals often have a foggy or dirty appearance due to condensation build up in between the panes. Foggy or dirty windows aren’t attractive, and the broken seals make the windows less effective insulators, creating a drafty home. Board Up of Little Rock will replace the panes to fix seal stress.
As a family-owned and operated business, we take great pride in treating our clients as part of our family. We don’t consider our job finished until you are 100% satisfied. Call us today to schedule your next consultation and free estimate, and we’ll have you set up with new glass for your home or business today!
People choose Board-Up for their emergency window board up services for a number of reasons:
- 24/7 emergency response
- Fully licensed, bonded and insured board-up services.
- Prompt board-up service can speed up insurance claims.
- Over 20 years of experience.
- We’re known and respected company.
How Boarded up windows secure your home
Your home will be exposed to the elements if your windows are blown out by a storm. If severe weather returns, more water damage will be likely. To speed up your recovery, boarded windows will keep rain from entering.
Broken window board up
Sometimes it is not always possible to restore your home’s windows to its original state immediately. When this happens, our team will board up your winds to protect the interior of your home from damage. We will also gather and dispose of all broken glass with no additional charge to you.
Ignoring a damaged window is unsightly, dangerous and costly. We are committed to restoring your home’s windows and leaving you worry free. When your windows are in need of immediate attention, call Board Up.
How to board up windows for hurricane
Board up windows with plywood
Select 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch plywood – anything thinner won’t endure the impact of projectiles blown by strong winds. Protection is limited if hurricane shutters aren’t constructed with the right material and installed properly.
From the exterior of the home, measure each window from the inside of the trim to get the width and height of the opening.
Add 8-inches to the measurements to allow your plywood shutters to overlap the window by 4-inches on each side. (If the window sill extends beyond the rest of the trim around the window, add only 4-inches to the height measurement.)
Use a circular saw to cut plywood panels to the dimensions (including the overlap) you recorded for the opening.
Tip: If you need to board up doors or large windows that are bigger than a single piece of plywood, use a 2-inch x 4-inch board to connect and brace two pieces together.
Cut the 2-inch x 4-inch board to length and use 2-inch long deck screws in 4-inch intervals to attach the board to the plywood along the seam of the two pieces.
Label each piece you cut to indicate which window it will cover and mark an arrow to show which edge faces up.
Make a reference line around the panel 2-inches from the edge using a carpenter’s level or other straight edge. Mark the locations for holes to drill along this line – in each corner and along the lengths at 12-inch intervals.
If the bottom sill extends beyond the rest of the trim around the window, don’t drill along the bottom edge of the panel.
To make these holes, use a power drill with a drill bit that is slightly larger than the fasteners you’ll use to install the plywood. Windows measuring 3-feet x 4-feet and smaller will use 1/4-inch lag screws, 2-1/2-inches long. Use thicker 3/8-inch lag screws, 3-inches long, around large windows.
Have a helper hold the plywood in place at the window to be covered. Make a mark on the home exterior through each of the holes you drilled to show the locations for the lag screws. Remove the plywood.
Drill pilot holes for the lag screws at each reference mark. For small and medium windows, the screws should penetrate the home’s frame 1-3/4-inches deep. The lag screws used around windows larger than 3-feet x 4-feet should penetrate 2-1/4-inches deep.
Reposition the panel to align its holes with the pilot holes in the siding. Slip a washer onto a lag screw and use a power drill to securely install the hurricane shutter over the window. The washers will prevent the fastener from boring into the plywood, which could weaken the panel.
Tip: These storm shutters are reusable. When time permits, weatherproof them with a wood sealer or exterior paint. Be sure to label them clearly and store them to use during the next storm.
When to Board Up Your Windows
Weather forecasters have the ability to accurately predict a hurricane’s path and give people time to prepare. Some have hurricane resistant windows installed to stand against wind-tossed debris. Others lug the storm shutters out of storage. However, using plywood to board up your windows is still a viable choice.
Depending on the strength of the storm, it may not prevent all damage to your doors and windows, but it definitely helps!
Boarding up windows for security
Keep out intruders:
When their homes are damaged by natural disasters, people feel desperate. Passersby may see the broken windows and consider it an invitation to get their belongings. You can board up your windows to increase security until the windows are replaced.
Increase your eligibility for insurance:
Boarded-up windows can help protect your home from further damage caused by bad weather or intruders. Many homeowners insurance policies require that this service be provided for any claim to be valid. If you can show that you boarded up your windows immediately after a natural disaster, you will increase your chances of getting full coverage.
Reduce your liability risk:
Children, neighbors or thieves could enter your home and inflict injuries. You may be held responsible for their injuries. You can protect yourself against lawsuits by making it difficult for others to enter your home after a natural catastrophe.