How to Board Up Your House

04/25/2023

Protect Windows, Doors, and Garage Doors with Plywood Shutters

If your home is not protected by impact-resistant windows and doors, wind- or impact-resistant garage doors, or tested and approved shutters, you can build temporary emergency panels to protect your home in a hurricane.

Assemble Your Tools and Hardware

What you will need for this project:

• Tape measure
• Circular saw
• Drills and drill bits
• Hammer
• Wrench
• Work gloves
• Eye protection
• Bolts
• Wood or masonry anchors
• Nuts and large washers

Note: Different bolts will be needed for wood-frame versus masonry homes. Use lag screws and plastic coated permanent anchors on wood-frame homes. Use expansion bolts and galvanized permanent expansion anchors on masonry structures.

Plan the Project

1. Count and measure each window and door on your home that has glass.
   • Don’t forget French doors, sliding glass doors, skylights, or older garage doors that are not wind- or impact- resistant.
   • Include roof and gable end vents or any opening large enough to allow wind to enter your home if damaged.
2. Measure each opening horizontally inside the exterior trim and vertically from the sill to the bottom of the top trim.
3. Add 8 inches to both the height and width to provide a 4-inch overlap on all sides.
   • When measuring windows with extended sills, measure from the top of the sill to the top of the window and add 4 inches instead of 8.
4. Calculate how many plywood sheets you will need. They are typically 4 feet by 8 feet. Purchase exterior grade (CDX) plywood that is 5/8-inch or greater.

Board Up

1. Drill holes in the same diameter as the bolts or screws, 2 inches in from the edges of the plywood at each corner and at 12-inch intervals around the panel.
2. Hold the plywood firmly in place over the opening to mark where to drill mounting holes.
   • If the windowsill is flush to the wall, secure the plywood on all four sides.
   • If the windowsill extends out at the bottom, secure the plywood on the top and sides.
3. Secure plywood sheets with lag screws or expansion bolts depending on your building materials.
   • Wood-frame house: For windows 3 feet by 4 feet or smaller, use 1/4-inch lag screws and plastic coated permanent anchors. For larger windows, use 3/8-inch lag screws that penetrate the wall and frame surrounding the window at least 2½ inches. Lag screws should penetrate the wall and frame surrounding the window at least 1 ¾ inches.
   • Masonry house: For windows 3 feet by 4 feet or smaller, use 1/4-inch expansion bolts and galvanized permanent expansion anchors. For larger windows, use 3/8-inch expansion bolts that penetrate the wall at least 1½ inches. Expansion bolts should penetrate the wall at least 1 ½ inches.
4. Join plywood sheets for larger openings.
   • For windows and doors (including garage doors) that are larger than a sheet of plywood, join the panels with 2-inch by 4-inch (2x4) bracing along the entire seam.
   • Attach the 2x4s to the outside of the plywood panel with 10 gauge, 2 inch-long, galvanized screws (exterior deck screws) spaced every 4 inches.
   • Use the widest side of the 2x4 to run the length of the entire seam.

Finish Up

1. Once you board up, number and label each panel with the name of the opening for ease of installation the next time a storm is approaching.
2. Store the panels, washers, and nuts together in a location protected from the weather.
3. Consider waterproofing the panels with paint or a sealant.