[disraeligears]

Stupid Question Time: Although I understand that this a going to be at most a Cat. 1 (5% chance of a Cat. 2) hurricane, I still have a cottage on Bogue Banks, second row from the beach, and am wondering if I should secure the windows. (damage from hurricanes to windows does not usually come from wind, but from objects thrown against them).

The cottage has vinyl siding, not planks, so therefore, it is impossible to nail plywood. There are expensive window protection systems from Lowe's etc. but are hugely expensive. Does any Freeper know of a practical system (I don't think taping is really an option, but Duct Tape is the universal panacea).
Regards, disraeligears

[fjsva]

Taping windows is useless. I would put plywood (OSB is cheaper) up on any picture windows at the least. If a large window breaks wind swept water can do a lot of damage.

The winds can be very fickle. Isabel did $30,000+ damage to our family beach house in Kill Devil Hills but practically nothing to the houses around it. Took part of the roof off as well as the front porch. Most of the damage was from water that got in through the hole in the roof.

We were watching one of the national news channels and the reporter says here is an example of the power of a hurricane - and they showed video of the roof and porch blowing off.

Hey thats OUR house!!!!!

[NautiNurse]

Securing windows is a good idea. In very strong hurricanes, window or garage door breaches are typically the cause of roof failure. Tape (especially duct tape) is a bad idea, not only because it doesn't prevent shattering, your windows are also ruined because the tape adhesive will be nearly impossible to remove.

If your windows are recessed, the hot items for securing plywood are Plylox Hurricane Clips.