What Nails To Use For Hurricane Shutters

Protect with Plywoodⁱ

Hal South. Knowles III, Craig Miller, Kathleen C. Ruppert, Karla A. Lenfesty, and Barbara Haldeman ²

This publication is part iii of 6 in the Education + Action = Air current Damage Mitigation series. For the residue of the series, visit https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_wind_damage_mitigation.

Proper storm protection requires time and money. Simply if you exercise non accept the time to hire a commercial contractor or you need to go on costs depression, properly installed plywood shutters tin can provide reasonable protection for your house.

Because of the temporary nature of plywood shutters, the console weight, and the installation labor required, we recommend using them equally a last resort. See the second publication in this series, Install Window Shutters (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae411), to review other options.

Figure ane. Plywood is strongest in the direction of its forest grain.
Credit: Constitute for Business & Home Prophylactic

Are all plywood shutters the same?

No. There are many ways to install plywood shutters. Nevertheless, we propose you use ane of two main methods. We recommend using barrel commodities plywood shutters for concrete block homes with windows inset two or more inches from the exterior wall. Overlapping plywood shutters are all-time for windows inset less than two inches.

Barrel Bolt Plywood Shutters

Needed Materials

• Minimum seven/xvi-inch-thick plywood (3/4-inch is recommended.)

• 3- or iv-inch butt bolts

• Drill

• Circular saw

Effigy 2. Barrel bolt plywood shutter.
Credit: Barbara Haldeman, UF/IFAS PREC

Basic Installation Directions

Cut the plywood to fit snugly in each window indentation. Connect multiple sheets with ii × 4s or sturdy hinges for large openings. Screw barrel bolts to each plywood shutter, using one bolt for every 12 inches of vertical plywood. Mark the locations for bolt holes in the wall. Label each panel with "Tiptop" and "Bottom" and the window information technology fits. Drill the holes. Plug the holes when not in employ.

Overlapping Plywood Shutters

Needed Materials

• Minimum 7/16-inch-thick plywood (3/4-inch is recommended)

• Nails (less secure) or screws/bolts (more secure) at to the lowest degree ii inches long

• Lead or stainless-steel sleeve wall anchors (do not use plastic)

• Hammer (for nails) and/or drill (for screws)

• Wood shims (if necessary)

• Circular saw

Figure 3. Overlapping plywood shutter.
Credit: Barbara Haldeman, UF/IFAS PREC

Basic Installation Directions

Cut the plywood to overlap each window opening by 4 inches or more. Connect multiple sheets with ii × 4s or sturdy hinges for large openings. Drill matching holes through the plywood and the wall. Label each panel with "Top" and "Bottom" and the window information technology fits. Hammer sleeve anchors into wall holes. Screw (or bolt) the plywood into the anchors. Plug the holes when not in utilise.

Bug to Consider

Avoid Oriented Strand Board

It takes 30% thicker oriented strand board (OSB) to equal the impact strength of plywood. We recommend using plywood.

Program Ahead

Plywood is cheap, convenient, and available at most hardware stores. Even so, buy your plywood before a storm approaches. Your local hardware store may run out if yous wait until the last infinitesimal.

Store Properly

Plywood requires proper storage to prevent wood damage. Florida'due south hot, humid climate can warp or dethrone plywood, making the shutter unusable. It is all-time to waterproof your plywood shutters with a sealant or paint, and shop them in a cool, dry place. Continue the shutter hardware (the bolts and screws) in a labeled container with the shutters. Storing plywood flat may as well help forbid warping. Never store wet plywood.

Watch Out for Termites

Choose a storage location that keeps the plywood shutters off the footing. This helps reduce the potential for termite damage.

Label the Shutters

Nearly homes take a variety of window types and sizes. Clearly mark each of your plywood shutters so you know which window information technology fits and which side is upwards. Y'all may consider making a drawing of your house and marking each window on information technology with a special number to match your shutter labels.

For more than detailed, Florida-specific guidelines on a variety of plywood shutter designs, visit the APA (Engineered Wood Association) website (https://www.apawood.org/hurricane-shutter-designs).

Other Resource

APA—The Engineered Wood Clan: Publications. Utilise "hurricane shutters" as a search term, or blazon "T460" into the search box on the page to download a costless re-create of the association's 2013 publication, Hurricane Shutter Blueprint Considerations for Florida. (Registration may be required; there is no price to register.) https://world wide web.apawood.org/hurricane-shutter-designs

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Hurricane Inquiry Division: Flyers. Instructions for building plywood hurricane shutters: https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/flyers/BuildingWoodenShutters.pdf

Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AE412

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