Plywood vs. Metal vs. Fabric: What are options to protect my home from a hurricane?

The threat of natural disasters is an important concern for homeowners no matter where you live. Here in Beaufort County, hurricanes can be a constant threat and evacuations have and will continue to happen. Securing your home is an important part of preparing for the coming storm.

To begin with, Beaufort County building codes Department requires a home to meet two specific requirements to receive a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Design pressure minimums (DP) and Impact Protection. DP requirements on the openings (Exterior Doors, Windows, Garage Door) control the way a house will react to the changes in pressures on, and in the house during a high wind event like a hurricane. A breach, like breaking glass in a window can cause undue stress and damage that can compound quickly in a storm. In Beaufort County the DP requirement will be met through the windows and doors the architect and contractor install on your home during its construction. The other code requirement is impact protection. Deciding on the best way for you to protect your home will depend on your physical abilities and how much you are willing to pay. This is typically accomplished with three products: plywood, metal panels, and fabric. The bottom line, if you cannot deploy the impact protection option you choose then you have wasted your money.

Plywood is the most common product you will see. It looks sturdy and meets the spirit ofthe code because it protects the structure of a home. However, there are many drawbacks to plywood for hurricane impact protection. To begin with, plywood collects moisture while it is stored and when the rain from a hurricane hits it thus reducing its ability to protect against impacts as it gets wetter. In addition, tests have shown that even in its dry state plywood cannotstop large projectiles from breaking through. Outside of the storm, plywood takes up a lot of storage space and can be difficult to deploy because of its weight. The major question with this material is whether you can climb up a ladder with a large piece of plywood and secure it safely on your own?

Sheet metal is another option that meets code, and it has better structural integrity thanplywood. However, metal is also heavy and quickly consumes storage space. Putting metal panels up can be a time consuming and labor-intensive process. Metal panels can also cause cutinjuries in the field, especially during a rapid deployment.

Fabric Panels or Shutters, despite their appearance, are the strongest and most versatile product on the market for hurricane impact protection. Not only do fabrics meet the minimum requirements of the Beaufort County code, in most cases they drastically exceed it. Rigid products like plywood and metal shutters cannot absorb a direct hit without denting or punching through. Fabric shutters absorb impacts and dissipate energy much like a baseball catcher’s mitt stops a fastball. While some fabric products must be rolled up and stored in tubes, others can be folded. With storage at a premium in the low country, the ability to fold a shutter up, stick it in a bag and hang it from the ceiling in an out of the way corner of a garage or shed is wonderful. Easy to reach and access when they are needed but out of the way in your everyday activities. When it comes to deployment, the lightweight and flexible properties of fabrics make them easy for anyone to install, even if you are alone.

There are many products on the market for hurricane protection, especially here in the Low Country. Before you choose the option that is best for you, it is important to know the pros and cons of each. In the event of a hurricane, your choice of how to protect your home may be the difference between minimal versus major damage and expense to repair. We hope this post will help you in making an informed decision.