Should I Board My Windows Up for a Hurricane?

 

Last Updated: March 2026
If a hurricane is approaching and you have no other protection, yes – board your windows. Unprotected windows are the single biggest vulnerability on most Florida homes. The NOAA National Hurricane Center warns that hurricane-force winds turn everyday objects into flying missiles. A broken window lets wind and rain pour into your home. Internal pressure builds. The roof can lift off. Walls can collapse. Boarding prevents that.

But boarding is an emergency measure, not a strategy. It takes 4-8 hours with two people and power tools. Plywood degrades after one or two uses. It provides no insurance credit. And when a storm approaches, hardware stores sell out of plywood within hours.

If you live in Florida and plan to stay more than a season or two, the better question is: what permanent protection system should I install before the next storm?

Below you will find answers to additional frequently asked questions about boarding windows and the alternatives.

Is Boarding Up Windows the Most Effective Way to Protect My Home?

No. It is the most available last-resort option. There is an important difference.

Boarding works when done correctly. That means 5/8-inch or thicker exterior-grade plywood, lag-screwed into wall framing (not window trim) every 12 inches on all sides, with no gaps. Most homeowner installations fall short of these specifications. Panels are too thin. Fasteners go into trim instead of studs. Gaps allow wind and water entry.

Even a perfect plywood installation has structural limits. Plywood is not impact-tested to ASTM E1886/E1996 standards. It can shatter on contact with heavy debris. It provides zero visibility. And it cannot withstand the cyclic pressure changes that hurricane shutters and screens are engineered to handle.

Here is where each option sits on the protection spectrum:

Protection Level	Option	What It Provides
None	Unprotected windows	No debris or wind protection. High risk of catastrophic failure.
Basic	Plywood (properly installed)	Basic debris barrier. Not impact-tested. No insurance credit. Degrades with use.
Code-compliant	Storm Panels, Hurricane Screens, Accordion Shutters	Impact-tested. Florida Product Approved. Potential insurance credit. 15-25 year lifespan.
Premium	Impact Windows and Doors	24/7 protection. No deployment needed. Potential insurance credit. 20-30+ year lifespan.

What Are the Safer and More Convenient Alternatives?

Every code-compliant alternative beats plywood on protection, convenience, and long-term cost. The differences between them come down to budget and deployment preference.

Factor	Plywood	Storm Panels	Hurricane Screens	Accordion Shutters
Deploy time	4-8 hours	4-8 hours	Minutes	Minutes
Ladder required?	Yes (upper floors)	Yes (upper floors)	No (most configs)	No
Impact tested?	No	Yes (ASTM)	Yes (ASTM)	Yes (ASTM)
Insurance credit?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Visibility?	None	None (metal) / Good (clear)	Filtered	None
Lifespan	1-3 uses	15-25 years	10-20+ years	15-25 years

The deployment time difference is critical. NOAA recommends completing storm preparations before tropical-storm-force winds arrive. A hurricane watch gives you roughly 48 hours. But conditions can deteriorate faster than forecast. In 2024, Hurricane Milton intensified rapidly and hit Florida just days after Hurricane Helene. Homeowners who relied on boarding had to repeat the entire 4-8 hour process twice in three weeks. Those with permanently mounted screens or shutters deployed in minutes both times.

What Are the Risks If I Don’t Protect My Windows at All?

Leaving windows unprotected during a hurricane is the single most dangerous decision a homeowner can make regarding their structure.

Here is the damage sequence when a window breaks during a hurricane:

Within seconds: Wind enters the building at full hurricane speed. Interior pressure spikes.

Within minutes: The pressure differential between inside and outside pushes upward on the roof and outward on the walls. Rain pours through the opening with no restriction. Furniture, documents, electronics, and personal belongings are exposed to wind and water.

Within an hour: If wind speeds are high enough, the roof can partially or fully detach. Without the roof, the walls lose lateral support and can collapse. What started as a broken window becomes total structural failure.

This is not hypothetical. The NOAA National Hurricane Center identifies wind-borne debris damage to openings as a primary cause of residential building failure during hurricanes. It is exactly why the Florida Building Code requires opening protection in wind-borne debris regions.

The cost of one unprotected window failure can easily exceed $10,000-$50,000 in interior water damage, mold remediation, and structural repair. The hurricane deductible on a typical Florida home (2% of insured value) means the first $5,000-$10,000 comes out of your pocket. Compare that to the cost of any protection system on the market.

Should I Board Up Even If I’m Evacuating?

Yes. Protecting your windows matters whether you are home or not. The goal is preserving the building envelope so your home is still standing and livable when you return.

If you are evacuating and do not have permanent protection, board your windows before you leave. But plan ahead. If you wait until an evacuation order is issued, plywood may be unavailable and traffic will slow your departure.

This is another reason permanent protection systems pay for themselves. Homeowners with Hurricane Screens or Accordion Shutters can deploy in minutes, lock up, and evacuate. No trip to the hardware store. No hours on a ladder. No competing with neighbors for the last sheets of plywood.

When Is Boarding the Right Decision?

Boarding makes sense in three specific situations:

Emergency, no other option: A storm is coming, you have no permanent protection, and plywood is still available. Board everything you can. Use 5/8-inch or thicker exterior grade. Screw into wall framing. Cover every opening including garage doors.

Temporary gap during an upgrade: You have ordered shutters or screens but installation is not complete. Plywood on the remaining openings bridges the gap.

Rental property without permanent protection: Your landlord has not installed shutters. Pre-cut plywood stored in the unit gives you a basic option. (Note: Florida landlords in wind-borne debris regions must build to code for new construction. For older rental properties, this is a conversation worth having with your landlord). 

For every other situation, the math favors a permanent system. Potential insurance savings may help recover the cost difference within a few years.

Learn More about Storm Smart Hurricane Protection

Storm Smart offers permanent hurricane protection at every price point. Storm Catcher® hurricane screens deploy in minutes without tools or ladders. Accordion Shutters and Roll Down Shutters provide solid-barrier protection with fast deployment. Every product is Florida Product Approved, installed under permit by Storm Smart’s in-house licensed team, and backed by manufacturer warranties.

Stop boarding. Start protecting.

Related Questions About Hurricane Window Protection

• Does Plywood Work as Hurricane Shutters? – Code specs, installation requirements, and material limitations.
• At What Wind Speed Do You Need Hurricane Shutters? – Wind thresholds and deployment timing.
• Are Hurricane Shutters Worth the Cost? – Full ROI analysis across all protection types.
• Are Hurricane Screens Expensive? – Cost breakdown including grants and insurance savings.
• Who Can Install Hurricane Shutters? – Contractor licensing and DIY considerations.