Menu
  • Mortgages
    • Mortgages
      • 10 first-time homebuyer grants and programs
      • 2019 Florida first-time homebuyer assistance programs
      • 2019 New York first-time homebuyer assistance programs
      • 2019 Texas first-time homebuyer assistance programs
      • 3 reasons to work with a mortgage broker
    • Real Estate
      • 5 cheap ways to stage your home like a pro
      • 5 essential factors to consider when buying a house
      • 5 indoor remodeling projects with the worst returns
      • 6 home renovations that return the most at resale
      • 6 things you’d better know before you buy a condo
    • Refinancing
      • Interested in doing a cash-out refinance? Know these 7 things
      • Is a HARP mortgage refinance worth the cost?
      • Mortgage rates are falling: Everything you should know about refinancing your loan   
      • Refinance options when you’re underwater
      • Refinancing with the HARP mortgage replacement programs
    • Home Equity
      • 11 ways to protect your home against hurricane damage
      • 4 ways to refinance a HELOC
      • Claim Up To 97k On Your House
      • Little Known Government Programs Could Give Homeowners $97,000* To Upgrade Their House.
    • Mortgage Loans
      • You can still get a mortgage with bad credit. Here’s how.
  • Banking
    • Banking
      • 10 reasons to break up with your bank
      • 3 ways to boost your savings when interest rates are flat
      • Banks are switching to ‘dot-bank’ websites — here’s what that is
      • Benefits of goal-setting savings accounts
      • Federal Reserve System holidays 2019
    • Federal Reserve
      • ‘We’re out of the business of penciling in further increases,’ St. Louis Fed President Bullard says
      • 5 reasons retirees love Fed rate hikes
      • 7 benefits of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike
      • Beige Book is a ‘wintry mix’
      • Evans says Fed may have to lower rates if downside risks intensify
    • Credit Unions
    • CDs
  • Credit Cards
    • Credit Cards
      • 5 things to know before switching credit cards
      • 5 ways credit cards can help you reach your financial New Year’s goals
      • 6 ways to begin paying off your debt for Credit Card Reduction Day
      • 6 ways to deal with no credit history
      • 7 tips for winning a credit card dispute
    • PrePaid Credit Cards
  • Loans
    • Loans
    • Personal Loans
      • ‘False’ fraud filters delay IRS tax refunds
      • ‘We’re out of the business of penciling in further increases,’ St. Louis Fed President Bullard says
      • $4,575 tax bill for online cigarettes
      • $403B in tax refunds issued in fiscal 2015
      • $5M ‘reward’ for Trump tax return
    • Student Loans
      • 5 expert strategies for paying off graduate school student loans
      • 5 ways to spot student loan debt relief scams
      • 7 tips for navigating student loans on your taxes
      • Billions in private student loans could be wiped away. Do you still have to pay?
      • DOE complies with order to forgive $150 million in loans for students of for-profit colleges
  • Auto
    • Auto
      • Wells Fargo to pay $4.1M for repo of service members’ cars
  • Insurance
    • Insurance
      • 2020 Health Insurance Costs On The Rise
      • 5 types of life insurance to safeguard your family’s future
      • 6 questions to ask about title insurance
      • Are life insurance loans a bad idea?
      • Auto insurance overview: The top carriers, types of coverage and how to save
  • Personal Finance
    • Personal Finance
      • 4 ways to check your credit score before applying for a loan
      • Survey: Nearly 1 in 3 side hustlers needs the income to stay afloat
      • Taxes on life insurance: Here’s when proceeds are taxable
      • With 40 Billion in Unclaimed Money, Is Any Yours?
    • Debt
      • Avoid these 3 mistakes when consolidating your debt
      • Don’t get slapped with a lien! Learn what it is and how to avoid it
    • Smart Money
      • 4 problems facing Capitol Hill, and the impact on your money
      • 5 richest nominees for best acting Oscars
      • 63% of smartphone users have at least one financial app
      • 7 sneaky ways restaurants get you to spend more
      • 7 ways to save on moving costs
    • Checking
      • Aspiration aims for socially and environmentally responsible banking
      • Consumers are most satisfied with these banking apps
      • Get the straight story on senior checking
      • How much does an overdraft cost? It could get easier to find out
      • How to write a check in 5 easy steps
    • Credit
      • Bad credit? You’re still a target for identity thieves
      • Credit monitoring: When is it worth paying for?
      • How I boosted my credit score by almost 100 points in one year
      • How to build credit
      • I paid off my mortgage early with a credit card and earned thousands of points — here’s how I made it work for me
    • Savings
      • 10 reasons to switch to an online bank
      • 10 saving and investing tips for all ages
      • 10 saving and investing tips for all ages
      • 5 money lessons to learn before you turn 40
      • 5 ways online banks make saving easy
    • Investing
  • Retirement
    • Retirement
      • 11 best retirement plans in 2019
      • 4 percent rule vs. buying an annuity
      • 4 things I’m starting to pay for now that I won’t need until I’m 65
      • 4 ways members of the FIRE movement can survive an economic slowdown
      • 401(k) contribution limits in 2019
    • IRA
    • Senior Living
      • 10 worst types of senior inflation
      • A guide to keeping your brain in shape
      • Aging in place, with benefits
      • Can a reverse mortgage replace a pension?
      • COLA wars in Medicare Part B premiums
  • Free Credit Report
Search
Credit Connecter
Menu
  • Mortgages
    • Mortgages
      • 10 first-time homebuyer grants and programs
      • 2019 Florida first-time homebuyer assistance programs
      • 2019 New York first-time homebuyer assistance programs
      • 2019 Texas first-time homebuyer assistance programs
      • 3 reasons to work with a mortgage broker
    • Real Estate
      • 5 cheap ways to stage your home like a pro
      • 5 essential factors to consider when buying a house
      • 5 indoor remodeling projects with the worst returns
      • 6 home renovations that return the most at resale
      • 6 things you’d better know before you buy a condo
    • Refinancing
      • Interested in doing a cash-out refinance? Know these 7 things
      • Is a HARP mortgage refinance worth the cost?
      • Mortgage rates are falling: Everything you should know about refinancing your loan   
      • Refinance options when you’re underwater
      • Refinancing with the HARP mortgage replacement programs
    • Home Equity
      • 11 ways to protect your home against hurricane damage
      • 4 ways to refinance a HELOC
      • Claim Up To 97k On Your House
      • Little Known Government Programs Could Give Homeowners $97,000* To Upgrade Their House.
    • Mortgage Loans
      • You can still get a mortgage with bad credit. Here’s how.
  • Banking
    • Banking
      • 10 reasons to break up with your bank
      • 3 ways to boost your savings when interest rates are flat
      • Banks are switching to ‘dot-bank’ websites — here’s what that is
      • Benefits of goal-setting savings accounts
      • Federal Reserve System holidays 2019
    • Federal Reserve
      • ‘We’re out of the business of penciling in further increases,’ St. Louis Fed President Bullard says
      • 5 reasons retirees love Fed rate hikes
      • 7 benefits of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike
      • Beige Book is a ‘wintry mix’
      • Evans says Fed may have to lower rates if downside risks intensify
    • Credit Unions
    • CDs
  • Credit Cards
    • Credit Cards
      • 5 things to know before switching credit cards
      • 5 ways credit cards can help you reach your financial New Year’s goals
      • 6 ways to begin paying off your debt for Credit Card Reduction Day
      • 6 ways to deal with no credit history
      • 7 tips for winning a credit card dispute
    • PrePaid Credit Cards
  • Loans
    • Loans
    • Personal Loans
      • ‘False’ fraud filters delay IRS tax refunds
      • ‘We’re out of the business of penciling in further increases,’ St. Louis Fed President Bullard says
      • $4,575 tax bill for online cigarettes
      • $403B in tax refunds issued in fiscal 2015
      • $5M ‘reward’ for Trump tax return
    • Student Loans
      • 5 expert strategies for paying off graduate school student loans
      • 5 ways to spot student loan debt relief scams
      • 7 tips for navigating student loans on your taxes
      • Billions in private student loans could be wiped away. Do you still have to pay?
      • DOE complies with order to forgive $150 million in loans for students of for-profit colleges
  • Auto
    • Auto
      • Wells Fargo to pay $4.1M for repo of service members’ cars
  • Insurance
    • Insurance
      • 2020 Health Insurance Costs On The Rise
      • 5 types of life insurance to safeguard your family’s future
      • 6 questions to ask about title insurance
      • Are life insurance loans a bad idea?
      • Auto insurance overview: The top carriers, types of coverage and how to save
  • Personal Finance
    • Personal Finance
      • 4 ways to check your credit score before applying for a loan
      • Survey: Nearly 1 in 3 side hustlers needs the income to stay afloat
      • Taxes on life insurance: Here’s when proceeds are taxable
      • With 40 Billion in Unclaimed Money, Is Any Yours?
    • Debt
      • Avoid these 3 mistakes when consolidating your debt
      • Don’t get slapped with a lien! Learn what it is and how to avoid it
    • Smart Money
      • 4 problems facing Capitol Hill, and the impact on your money
      • 5 richest nominees for best acting Oscars
      • 63% of smartphone users have at least one financial app
      • 7 sneaky ways restaurants get you to spend more
      • 7 ways to save on moving costs
    • Checking
      • Aspiration aims for socially and environmentally responsible banking
      • Consumers are most satisfied with these banking apps
      • Get the straight story on senior checking
      • How much does an overdraft cost? It could get easier to find out
      • How to write a check in 5 easy steps
    • Credit
      • Bad credit? You’re still a target for identity thieves
      • Credit monitoring: When is it worth paying for?
      • How I boosted my credit score by almost 100 points in one year
      • How to build credit
      • I paid off my mortgage early with a credit card and earned thousands of points — here’s how I made it work for me
    • Savings
      • 10 reasons to switch to an online bank
      • 10 saving and investing tips for all ages
      • 10 saving and investing tips for all ages
      • 5 money lessons to learn before you turn 40
      • 5 ways online banks make saving easy
    • Investing
  • Retirement
    • Retirement
      • 11 best retirement plans in 2019
      • 4 percent rule vs. buying an annuity
      • 4 things I’m starting to pay for now that I won’t need until I’m 65
      • 4 ways members of the FIRE movement can survive an economic slowdown
      • 401(k) contribution limits in 2019
    • IRA
    • Senior Living
      • 10 worst types of senior inflation
      • A guide to keeping your brain in shape
      • Aging in place, with benefits
      • Can a reverse mortgage replace a pension?
      • COLA wars in Medicare Part B premiums
  • Free Credit Report
Home Home Equity 11 ways to protect your home against hurricane damage

11 ways to protect your home against hurricane damage

1 of 12

Camerique/ClassicStock/Getty Images

Guard against costly hurricane damage

The ferocious strength of a storm like Hurricane Harvey can turn a home inside out and leave it in ruins. But a homeowner can minimize hurricane damage with many common home improvement products.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, has predicted a busier than average Atlantic hurricane season, with 14 to 19 named storms likely in 2017. Five to nine of those could become hurricanes, including two to five major hurricanes with winds in excess of 110 mph.

Harvey, with winds up to 120 mph, is in that group.

Bracing a home for the worst that the season might bring doesn’t have to be expensive.

“There are a lot of things you can do that are meaningful, affordable and make a difference,” says Leslie Chapman-Henderson, president and CEO of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, or FLASH.

Here are ways to avoid costly hurricane damage. Consider tapping your home equity or taking out a personal loan to fund major improvements.

The Bankrate Daily

2 of 12

Man installing plywood over windows to avoid damage

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Plywood

A sheet of plywood and a handful of nails have stood out as one of the most popular ways to prepare for a storm. Homeowners typically “board up” a day or two before and attach 5/8-inch or 1/2-inch plywood to the windows of their homes.

  • Cost: Material costs vary by location and season, but a 4-by-8-foot sheet of 5/8-inch plywood typically runs $20 to $30. Depending on home size and number of windows, total material costs could run $275 to $750.
  • Pros: Plywood is very effective for protecting from flying debris, and it’s easy for “do-it-yourselfers.” You can find the materials at any home improvement store. Plywood is relatively inexpensive and, if stored properly, can be used from season to season.
  • Cons: Working with plywood can be time-consuming and may require a helping hand for those with two-story homes. Installation may involve drilling holes in siding and bricks. Once windows are boarded, the home becomes very dark.

3 of 12

Fabric panels

Dennis Tokarzewski/Shutterstock.com

Fabric panels

Polymer-based, hurricane-strength fabric panels add trampoline-like cushion to windows and doors and repel flying debris without sacrificing visibility in a storm. Panels are anchored to the edges of windows and doorways with grommets and wing nuts or clips and pins, making them easy to install.

  • Cost: Approximately $5 to $15 per square foot.
  • Pros: The panels can easily be installed and removed, then rolled up and stored in a compact space. Most are translucent and allow for visibility through windows.
  • Cons: Professional installation is normally required.

4 of 12

Hurricane straps

Greg Henry/Shutterstock.com

Hurricane straps

Most homes are built to hold the roof up, not down. To correct for the upward and lateral lifting forces of hurricane winds, builders install hurricane straps, clips and anchor belts, which can help keep a home’s roof intact.

In a correct setup, galvanized straps securely attached to the walls and foundation keep the roof tied into the entire house.

  • Cost: Inexpensive hurricane straps sell for as little as 50 cents apiece, usually by the box or in coils. A typical home could require hundreds of straps.
  • Pros: When installed properly on a new home, hurricane straps drastically reduce the threat of roof failure in high winds. They are easy to install on new homes.
  • Cons: Retrofitting straps on an existing home can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

5 of 12

Sandbags deployed outside a home

STAN HONDA/Getty Images

Flood barriers

While there is little a homeowner can do to prepare for a hurricane’s 20-foot storm surge on the coast, there are several products that can help protect inland residents from minor flooding.

Sandbags remain the least expensive option (many counties give them away for free), but they are heavy and it takes hundreds of bags and lots of help to make a solid barrier around a home.

Other types of flood barriers include powder-filled absorbent door dams, water-filled tubes, expanding bags and portable walls that can be quickly deployed in the event of a flood.

  • Cost: The price varies from a couple hundred dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars to completely surround a home.
  • Pros: Barriers can be effective, and some are easy to install and can be deployed just before a storm.
  • Cons: The products can be expensive and time-consuming to deploy, and they’re ineffective if floodwaters rise above the height of the barrier.

6 of 12

Storm panels being installed

BRUCE WEAVER/Getty Images

Storm panels

Corrugated steel or aluminum shutters bolted over your windows and doors are one of the best ways to protect a home from flying debris. Storm panels vary in thickness and attach to window exteriors with a system of tracks and bolts. When tracks are installed permanently around the house, the shutters can be attached quickly and easily when a storm is approaching.

  • Cost: Prices for steel or aluminum storm panels run from $7 to $15 per foot of coverage.
  • Pros: One of the most inexpensive permanent shutter systems, the panels are strong and can protect from almost any flying debris. Can be deployed quickly before a storm and removed quickly afterward.
  • Cons: Panels require a large space for storage. They can be difficult to install, depending on the size of windows and number of stories on your home, and you may need extra help. Some shutters have sharp edges.

7 of 12

Roll-down hurricane shutters

stocksolutions/Shutterstock.com

Roll-down hurricane shutters

With the push of a button or the crank of a handle, roll-down hurricane shutters are the easiest home protectors to deploy before a storm. The shutters are typically made of double-walled aluminum slats that interlock, and they roll up into a narrow box that sits above the window or doorway.

Available in all sizes and colors, they are usually custom-fitted to your home.

  • Cost: While they are the easiest and most convenient way to protect your home, roll-down shutters also are the most expensive window defense option, averaging $20 to $35 per square foot of window, according to NOAA.
  • Pros: The shutters are easily raised and lowered. They also can be used to temporarily darken a room.
  • Cons: They’re prohibitively expensive for most homeowners and usually require professional installation. Push-button systems need a battery backup or manual override for use during a power outage.

8 of 12

Garage door braces

jessicakirsh/Shutterstock.com

Garage door braces

Your garage door is one of the parts of your home most vulnerable to high wind. Failure of a garage door can allow the full force of a hurricane to threaten the roof or walls.

While some newer garage doors are rated for winds of up to 150 mph, many older ones should be braced. Vertical bracing systems are typically made of aluminum and are anchored above the garage door and to the floor to provide a backbone of extra support.

  • Cost: The price varies by manufacturer, approximately $150 to $175 per garage door brace.
  • Pros: Braces are effective and relatively inexpensive.
  • Cons: They may require special tools such as a rotor hammer and masonry bit to drill into concrete floor. Garage door cannot be opened without removing the brace.

9 of 12

Workers installing hurricane-resistant glass

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Hurricane glass

Want to skip the hassle and closed-in feeling of shutters altogether? Consider installing hurricane-impact windows. The glass is usually 3/8-inch thick and features a film coating similar to the safety glass used in vehicle windshields. If the windows crack or are smashed, the glass will stay embedded in the frame.

  • Cost: Hurricane glass windows are not cheap, costing up to $55 per square foot.
  • Pros: With hurricane glass, there is nothing to install or remove when a hurricane comes; it’s always in place and is completely transparent. No shutters are needed. Hurricane windows also help block outside noise, protect against break-ins and filter out harmful UV rays.
  • Cons: The windows must be installed by a contractor, and the labor costs can be steep. Consider funding options, including a cash-out mortgage refinance.

10 of 12

Accordian shutters on a high rise

Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock.com

Accordion shutters

Housed on the sides of doors or windows when not in use, these retractable aluminum shutters unfold like an accordion to protect your home’s openings during a storm. The shutters can provide protection against not only wind but also forced entry. They are usually available in a variety of colors.

  • Cost: $15 to $25 per square foot.
  • Pros: Accordion shutters are easily and quickly deployed in the event of a storm. They are permanently fixed to the house and do not require storage.
  • Cons: They may appear unattractive on some houses. The mechanisms that open and close the shutters may be weaker or break more often than with other products.

11 of 12

Bahama shutters

Cheryl Casey/Shutterstock.com

Bahama shutters

Bahama shutters are hinged at the top of the window and angle outward from the wall with the help of telescoping arms. The support arms typically are adjustable from 60- to 90-degree angles.

The shutters protect against wind while providing light, ventilation and privacy control in everyday use. They often are used in sunny and coastal environments and can give a home a distinct, tropical appearance.

  • Cost: $15 to $20 per square foot.
  • Pros: Bahama shutters attach permanently to the home and can be installed quickly. Made of aluminum, vinyl or wood, they can easily be painted to complement or match the home.
  • Cons: They almost permanently block full vision from windows and can make a home much darker. The amount of hurricane protection they offer can vary by style and manufacturer.

12 of 12

Colonial shutters

Jorge Moro/Shutterstock.com

Colonial shutters

As a traditional style of window protection, colonial shutters attach to the window’s side walls and fold inward to close. Permanently fixed to the window frame and held open by a clip system, they can quickly and easily be closed and secured with a brace bar when a storm approaches.

  • Cost: Moderately priced when compared with other window protection products, colonial shutters run roughly $18 to $30 per square foot.
  • Pros: The shutters can easily be closed by one person. They can add decorative curb appeal to a home.
  • Cons: They must be permanently installed on the house, a process that can be expensive and time-consuming. Professional installation may be required.

CreditConnecter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Home Equity

Little Known Government Programs Could Give Homeowners $97,000* To Upgrade Their House.

Home Equity

Claim Up To 97k On Your House

Home Equity

4 ways to refinance a HELOC

EDITOR PICKS

Claim Up To 97k On Your House

Newsletter

POPULAR POSTS

Here’s how much money you’ll save shopping for a mortgage with...

How would Trump’s tax proposals affect you?

The Fed’s balance sheet is shrinking. How does it affect you?

Quick Navigation

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Do Not Sell
  • Site Map
  • Marketing Disclosure

POPULAR CATEGORY

  • Taxes123
  • Retirement70
  • Mortgages59
  • Smart Money42
  • Federal Reserve41
  • Savings33
  • Real Estate27
  • Personal Loans26
  • Insurance23

VigLink badge
ABOUT US
Advertiser Disclosure: This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.
Contact us: [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Do Not Sell
  • Site Map
  • Marketing Disclosure
© CreditConnector.com 2019. All Rights Reserved