Understanding Residential Boarding Up: A Comprehensive Guide
As severe weather events and socio-political unrest end up being more regular, numerous homeowners are thinking about boarding up their residential or commercial properties to safeguard against potential damage. Residential boarding up involves covering windows, doors, and other openings with boards to discourage vandalism, theft, or storm damage. This post explores the different aspects of residential boarding up, including its significance, approaches, materials, and important considerations.
Why is Residential Boarding Up Necessary?
Residential boarding up serves numerous purposes, mostly concentrated on safety and protection. The following are key reasons house owners select this preventive procedure:

Protection from Extreme Weather: Hurricanes, storms, and heavy snowfall can cause significant damage to vulnerable homes. Boarding up helps avoid broken windows and water invasion.

Preventing Crime and Vandalism: In locations with high criminal offense rates or during civil unrest, boarding up makes a home less appealing to prospective vandals or burglars.

Insurance Requirements: Some insurer might require a home to be boarded up in specific conditions to prevent claim rejections.

Keeping Property Value: A broken home can significantly reduce property value. Boarding up assists keep the structural stability of a property, lowering potential repair costs in the long run.
Approaches of Residential Boarding Up
House owners can pick from numerous methods to board up their homes. The option largely depends on budget, ability level, and the type of protection needed.
Approaches Include:
Plywood Boarding: The most common approach includes utilizing sheets of plywood, generally 5/8-inch thick, that can be cut to fit doors and windows.

Hurricane Shutters: These are long-term components that can be installed over doors and windows. They supply more robust protection than plywood and can be released rapidly.

Lexan or Polycarbonate Panels: Clear, long lasting panels that enable light to go into but prevent objects from breaking through. These are frequently a more visually pleasing alternative to plywood.

Metal Screens: These screens can provide a long-lasting solution for securing windows, especially in areas susceptible to theft.

Expandable Barriers: Some house owners go with expandable barriers that can be gotten used to fit various openings. These can be more expensive however provide greater benefit.
MethodExpense RangeInstallation DifficultyLevel of ProtectionPlywood BoardingLow (₤ 50-₤ 100)ModerateHighHurricane ShuttersModerate (₤ 200-₤ 600)Easy to ModerateReally HighLexan PanelsModerate to High (₤ 300-₤ 800)ModerateHighMetal ScreensModerate (₤ 150-₤ 400)EasyModerateExpandable BarriersHigh (₤ 600+)Moderate to DifficultHighProducts Used for Boarding Up
When thinking about residential boarding up, the type of materials used can significantly affect effectiveness and resilience. Here are some frequently used materials:
Common Materials:
Plywood: Widely readily available and affordable