Storm Readiness Plywood Alternatives

Exterior Shutters

• Large shutters installed on hinges outside of the window are an attractive and practical alternative to boarding up windows with plywood. Functioning shutters are the original method used in the south and eastern coastal regions of the U.S. Older buildings in New Orleans area famous for this elegant treatment. Today shutters are made from wood, vinyl and aluminum and can be designed to complement even the most modern of architectural design.

Plastic Lattice

• Plywood is heavy and bulky even when sheets are cut to size for windows. A lighter weight alternative is plastic lattice, which is found at most hardware stores in 4 x 8-foot sheets. The material is relatively easy to cut and can be left on windows for days at a time as light and air can pass through opened windows. Once secured over the window, the lattice will resist larger objects that strike it during high winds; however, the lattice may not fully protect glass from pebble-size projectiles that pass through the little-over-one-inch square openings. Like plywood, the lattice is removed and stored until the next hurricane warning.

Corrugated Plastic

• High tensile-strength, corrugated plastic products are designed to replace plywood as window protection. The product is easily cut and shaped to fit any contour of window opening. Choosing a translucent plastic instead of color allows the plastic to remain on the windows for a few days without disrupting the flow of sunlight.

Rolling Electric Shutters

• The most convenient alternative to using plywood for protecting windows is the electric rolling shutter. Rolling shutter units are installed on the exterior of a home above the windows and patio doors. Units come in a variety of colors and can be concealed behind stucco, brick and siding in new home construction or remodels. Shutters are operated from a switch inside the home, making them an ideal alternative for seniors and individuals who don't want the hassle of putting up plywood with every hurricane warning and removing it a few days later. Electric shutters are the only practical choice in regions prone to tornadoes. Unlike hurricane warnings that may come a few days or a week in advance, individuals only have a few minutes to respond to tornado warnings.