Travel 4 Ways To Board Up Windows For A Hurricane Everything from practical advice to the best materials to use, this is your go-to guide for protecting your home windows before a hurricane. By Southern Living Editors Updated on November 6, 2022 Fact checked by Elizabeth Berry Fact checked by Elizabeth Berry Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker and writer with over three years of professional experience in the field. She has fact checked lifestyle topics ranging from destination wedding venues to gift guide round-ups for a variety of publications including Brides, The Spruce, and TripSavvy. In addition to her fact checking background, she also has over six years experience of reporting, writing, and copy editing articles for digital magazines including Woman's Day and The Knot. Elizabeth also has a strong background in e-commerce content as both a fact checker and writer. brand's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Lionel Chamoiseau/AFP/Getty Images If you live in a coastal area where hurricanes regularly occur, seriously consider investing in hurricane shutters. These permanent fixtures will save you time and money in the long run and are ultimately the sturdiest (and safest) option. But if you're in a pinch, follow this guide to boarding up your windows. We'll cover how to board windows both from the inside and the outside, how to install the coverings for different house types—vinyl, brick, and stucco—the best materials to use, and the tools you'll need. Let's get started. How to Properly Board Up Windows on the Outside Important Tips & Supplies Needed Supplies List: Circular sawLarge washersPlywoodScrews (corrosion-resistant recommended)Measuring tapeDrill & drill bitsBarrel bolts (for masonry homes) Quick Tip #1: The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) recommends using plywood that is ⅝-inch thick. Quick Tip #2: Consider using PLYLOX window clips (also referred to as hurricane clips or tension clips). These clips are made from carbon steel or stainless steel and can be used to secure plywood. They don't require drilling holes or nailing anything down. Instead, the h-shaped design holds against the window's casing. Plus, they can be reused year after year. Windows with Vinyl Siding For homes with vinyl siding, make sure to measure the space you need to cover. You'll want the plywood panels to overlap the window four inches to ensure your windows won't get blown out. Make sure to drill holes into the studs of your home; the trim won't be stable enough to withstand storms. Space out the holes so that you're drilling them every 12 to 16 inches. Windows on a Brick or Stucco House If your home has a brick or stucco exterior, the process of boarding up your windows will look a bit different. Instead of measuring a border that extends beyond your window, you'll want to place the plywood on the inside of your window frame. Use 4-inch barrel bolts to secure the panels and space them 15 inches apart. How to Board Up Windows From the Inside Place security window films over the glass from the inside. While not as effective as boarding windows up from the outside, using films will at least keep the glass in place should the windows break. Glass window clips can also be used to ensure your windows stay shut. How to Board Up Windows Without Plywood If plywood sells out everywhere and you can't get your hands on any, there are alternative types of wood that can be used. Try insulation board, oriented strand board, or polycarbonate panels instead. Polycarbonate panels are 60 percent lighter than plywood and still allow natural light into your home (especially helpful if the power goes out). Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Southern Living is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. Hurricanes: Doors and Windows - Emergency Board Up. Accessed November 6, 2022.