Hurricane Hardware: Prepping for Natural Disasters

When the forecast calls for hurricane winds, homeowners and business owners rush to protect their real estate. And although this is the correct course of action, it shouldn’t be taken without using proper hurricane hardware.

The right tools and hardware ensure your protective measures stand up against everything mother nature throws at them—including hurricane winds, rapid flooding, and terrifying storm surges.

To ensure you’re using the best hardware possible, read through our blog, or use the table of contents to find the section most relevant to you.

Table of Contents

1. Why Is Hurricane Protection Necessary?
2. Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
3. Essential Hurricane Hardware
4. Find Support For Getting Hurricane-Ready

Why Is Hurricane Protection Necessary?

Failing to follow proper hurricane preparation steps with the ideal hardware could have some serious consequences. Advantages to following recommended guidelines:

1. Personal Safety

   Protecting against hurricanes helps ensure the safety of your family and pets. High winds and flying debris can cause serious injuries or fatalities, but proper preparations within your home can prevent debris from breaking through.

2. Property Damage Prevention

   Hurricanes are notorious for causing serious damage to homes and businesses through extreme winds, flooding, and storm surges. Protective measures like boarding up windows, securing outdoor items, and reinforcing structures can help reduce the extent of the damage.

3. Financial Savings

   Any damage your property experiences will require repairs—and that leads to additional expenses for supplies and contractors. But proper hurricane preparedness means you’ll have less to worry about after the storm passes.

4. Insurance Coverage

   Most insurance companies want their homeowners to do everything possible to protect their investments, and some even require certain measures to be taken in preparation for a hurricane. If you fail to follow their directions and then submit a claim, you could receive a denial or a reduced payout.

5. Continuity

   Whether you’re protecting your home or your business, proper protective measures ensure you can get back to life as normal as quickly as possible.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Here’s a quick rundown of action steps you can take to protect your home:

1. Cover Your Windows

   One of the quickest and easiest ways to shield your windows from high wind speeds and airborne debris is a protective layer of ⅝”–¾” exterior-grade plywood. A sturdy layer of plywood will deflect nearly all tree branches, lawn furniture, and other projectiles the wind might throw at your windows.

   We recommend using screws or bolts and heavy-duty washers to hold the plywood against your home. Jump to our section on hurricane hardware to learn more!

2. Cover Your Doors

   Like your windows, your exterior doors might need a buffer against incoming hurricanes. And, like your windows, ⅝”–¾” exterior-grade plywood is an excellent choice for protecting your doors—especially sliding glass doors and any other doors with large window panels. And don’t forget about your garage doors! They may need extra support during a hurricane, too.

   When it comes to hardware selection, it’s the same deal as windows: Use screws or bolts and heavy-duty washers to hold the plywood in place. Jump to our section on hurricane hardware to learn more!

3. Secure Outdoor Items

   In hurricane winds, anything that’s not held securely in place becomes a hazard. Lawn chairs, decorative gnomes, picnic tables—anything the wind can pick up could be dangerous. Move these outdoor items into your garage or basement until the storm passes.

4. Waterproof

   Focus on waterproofing your home and property. Seal any cracks or gaps in doors, windows, and walls to prevent water intrusion, then ensure your gutters and downspouts are clean and functional to direct water away from the property.

5. Create a Saferoom

   An ideal safe room during a hurricane has a few different qualities:

   • Ample water supply
   • Canned or long-lasting food
   • Batteries and portable phone chargers (in case of power outages)
   • Flashlight
   • Portable, battery-operated radio
   • Blankets and pillows
   • Isolation from windows and potential flooding

   A properly equipped safe room has everything your family might need if the hurricane causes serious flooding in your neighborhood and wipes out power in the process.

6. Double-Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance Guidelines

   Insurance companies often have specific requirements for storm preparedness, and adhering to these guidelines can mean the difference between a fully covered claim and a denied one. Take the time to understand your policy's stipulations and ensure you've taken all necessary precautions.

   This proactive step protects your property and provides peace of mind knowing you're compliant with your insurance terms.

Essential Hurricane Hardware

Rely on our selection at The Fastener Depot for your high-performance hurricane hardware. What you should keep in your hardware kit:

1. Screws

   Screws are a popular choice for holding protective exterior plywood in place. Our suggestion:

   Use corrosion-resistant screws that are at least 3 inches long for optimal strength, and use them around the edges and center of the plywood.

2. Bolts

   Bolts are another popular choice for holding plywood in place. Again, 3-inch, corrosion-resistant hardware is the best choice for superior protection.

3. Anchors

   Anchors are the ideal option whenever you’re holding plywood or another protective material against masonry or concrete walls—anywhere a traditional screw or bolt would have trouble.

4. Washers

   We recommend using heavy-duty washers to evenly distribute pressure from screws and bolts, ultimately resulting in a securer hold.

Find Support For Getting Hurricane-Ready

If you’re prepping your home or business for an incoming hurricane, don’t work alone. Our experienced team is here to make recommendations on the best hardware for standing up against the storm. Contact us with any questions you have!