Vinyl lattice as window storm covering.?

Question

I live in South Florida, after the hurricanes of the last couple of years and other factors, I have become extremely claustrophobic. I cannot even be in an elevator anymore for more than 2 floors. The thought of being behind plywood boards for days on end, totally freaks me out; so I am looking for alternatives that are 1) inexpensive, 2) protective against flying objects and 3) allow light into the house. I have come up with the idea of vinyl lattice board, they meet all 3 of my requirements. I have looked into lexan panels and they are $4k for my home. (the dealers will do an all or nothing install).

Anyone else have any other low cost ideas? or suggestions?

in response to my 2 answers so far:
1st - My windows are rollouts, so a permanent covering is out, or I wouldn't be able to open them at all; and 2ndly, I can't move, I just moved in there a month ago. I am a Florida native, I love a good storm, it isn't the storm I have problems with, its the dark enclosed space. And hurricanes don't always come at night.

If vinyl lattice is impact resistant to 150 psi, why wouldn't they work? Please validate your response.

Answer 1

I wouldn't recommend vinyl lattice for a window or door covering. It is impact resistant, but only to *breakage*; it can withstand heavy blows because it flexes so much.

When designing shutter, the manufacturers determine, based upon how large an opening you're covering, how much force could/would be applied. The ability with withstand hits is one thing, but they also consider how much the shutter will bend from the wind and impacts. That's why, if you look at any information on shutters (manufactured or plywood) they always sit away from the window at least a couple inches.

From a safety perspective, it should be clear that any shutter with 1" square holes would allow some significantly large debris to hit the window. The Tar-and-Gravel roof on the next door neighbor's house will surely do a number on your windows if you go with this solution.

Suggestions:

1) Don't get the lexan panels for all the windows, just a few. I would suggest getting the highest windows (since lexan is fairly light and you'll get more sunlight from higher windows) and smallest (since it is priced per square foot, usually). Get metal / plywood for the other windows. There's no reason why plywood cannot be made just as strong as the manufactured ones (at a significantly lower cost).

2) Get a UPS / Standby generator. People absolutely love these things during a storm. A standby generator uses some fuel source (Natural Gas / LP / Diesel / Other) to generate standard power for your whole house during power outages. If you get one large enough and you can power all the lights, the air conditioning, fridge, tools (for repairs), etc. It's makes "roughing it" for the aftermath pretty easy. The only problem is that you'll need fuel and all you neighbors will want to "visit".

I would especially recommend this choice for your personal safety. See, they always tell you to go to a room without windows during a storm, a "safe room". That's usually a bathroom or closet. Since you're claustrophobic I would think that spending any time in a room like this would be rough. Having a small room with a small TV, radio, and the lights on would be more comfortable than any room in the house with the wind howling and only bleak sunlight coming in.

3) If you're handy you can do the shutter installation yourself. Buy the materials and do the install - it's not that bad. Also, get a friend / family member / neighbor to give you a hand. It's really a weekend project, unless you've got a big house. It'll save you some money, guaranteed.

4) If you're really insistent on light coming in from all around, I think you can mix the lexan shutters with the metal ones. I've seen it done before. For example, say a particular window requires 5 shutter panels. On this window you could put 4 metal ones (M) and one lexan one (L) like this: MMLMM. That will let some light in through the middle while still protecting the entire window.

5) If you're really, REALLY cheap, combine plywood and lexan. Make some lexan "windows" in plywood shutters. I'd recommend using some 2x4 bracing in the plywood around the opening for the lexan.

For the record, I'm going with option #5. Actually, I didn't think of issues with light until stumbling upon your question. I was going to go all plywood, but now I'll "Let the sunshine in".

Answer 2

I've lived in Florida since 1969. I've been through every major storm here since moving here and have seen palm trees impaled by 2x4's, as well as Cars tossed like tissues, and 30 ft. Yachts carried miles inland. Certainly the lattice will help, as would plywood, sealing every window that exists etc.

I've also seen first hand TEST demonstrations of damage done by 100 plus mile an hour winds, and lattice would give as easily as window film.

Given your paranoia and fear, and without saying you should leave Florida, and knowing the type of windows you have whay not install indoor shutters. It seems to me that aesthetics should be the least of your concerns.

I promise you at $4K or not, Lexan will never honor a warantee for a 150 mph impact of the Billboard across the street being ripped apart.

I'm not trying to act the A**. Anyone who doesn't fear Hurricanes is a fool. Although anyone who remains home bound during a cat. 5 is likely the fool as well.

I worked rehab after Andrew, and every other bad one since. I think the risks in staying to test the best product are wrong. at 150 TO 200 mph a hole in a window the size of a softball, can create enough force to remove an entire roof.

Answer 3

Who told you that Vinyl Lattice Board is wind or impact rated? That's crazy. Ask for proof of that. Never heard of such a thing. Also there is a big different between 150 mph winds and a object flying through the air at 150 mph....

I know that there are some Impact and Wind Rated Hurricane Panels out there they have little slits in them so that you can get light in.. at least before and after the storm. Not much light during a storm of course.

You can try Colonial or Bahama shutters. They look decorative when they are open, the slats are horizontal and there are spaces between the slats.. which would let light in. They are more expensive than Panels though. But look much better.

Your best options is probably Armor Screen. It's been tested for wind and impact over 200 mph... way higher than any shutter has been ceritified. Plus it helps to reduce the possibility of you losing your roof. It's like looking out a regular window screen... It's a bit thicker of course and made out of different material than a normal window screen but it will definitely let whatever light in that there is outside, you can see through it, it's easy to deploy and and you won't feel "locked in".

Here is a link to their site: http://www.armorscreen.com/
Check out the Videos. You can see how see through they are!!

OH and always remember to ask for proof of wind and impact ratings... Many many shutter companies come out of the woodworks during this time of the year and some of them are not legitimate. This can cause your home to NOT be protected, plus major insurance headaches if you do have damage.

Good Luck and I hope you find what you need!

Answer 4

hmmm, lets see, when a cane is blowing it's dark outside and usually inside since the power is out. I think when you hear a cane is coming your way, get the hell out of there. Maybe you should just move someplace they don't have them.

other than that, heavy wire protective screens might be your best bet. painted a light color, they don't look too bad, and can be left up all the time. they also add security from break ins.

Answer 5

the vinyl latice will not save you at all.