Check Your Exterior Doors, Sliding Patio Doors and Windows to Prepare for Severe Weather

Check Your Exterior Doors, Sliding Patio Doors and Windows to Prepare for Severe Weather

If you know a big storm is on its way, or just want to plan for the worst, here are some simple steps you can take to protect your home, and your family, from the elements. Keep the wind and rain outside, where it belongs!

1. Evaluate your Home's "Exterior Envelope." From the garage door and roof structure to windows and doors, exterior openings of the home play a crucial role in severe storms. If wind pressure penetrates the home, it can lead to catastrophic results. JELD-WEN experts say windows and doors need to be secure enough to withstand wind pressure and impacts from debris.

2. Know Your Zone. Areas of the country subject to strong winds or hurricanes are categorized into four zones. The zone in which you live determines the types of wood or vinyl windows and exterior and interior doors required to meet building codes. Zone 4 has the most stringent requirements and mandates exterior building products that can stand up to wind pressure and impacts.

3. Get Tech Savvy. Learn about new technology for building products that can help you avoid the hassle and pitfalls of boarding up windows and exterior doors. There are new products available, like JELD-WEN ImpactGardTM protection for windows and sliding patio doors that can withstand a 2x4 striking the window at 34 miles per hour. JELD-WEN products built for harsh coastal conditions with ImpactGard protection in aluminum, vinyl and wood can withstand a tremendous amount of positive and negative air pressure, even for openings up to 16 feet wide.

4. Keep the Yard Clean. Remove objects that can become wind-borne hazards, and trim nearby trees that have broken or dead branches. Even a benign object like a lightweight lawn chair can turn into a dangerous missile during a severe storm.

5. Pack a Fresh Disaster Kit. A first aid kit, flashlight, canned food and at least three gallons of drinking water per person are key, according to Red Cross guidelines. Don't forget to include written directions on how to turn off your home's water, gas and electric service, in case you're told to do so. A professional will need to restart your service when all is clear.

6. Prepare a Family Evacuation Plan. The Red Cross also advises that families decide where they are going to meet ahead of time if they are told to evacuate.

7. Understand the Ratings. Homes in any of the wind-borne debris regions must also have windows and exterior doors with specific design pressure (DP) ratings, which include both positive and negative numbers. The positive number corresponds to pressure created by wind blowing at a window and door. The negative number represents vacuum pressure on the inner side of the window or door. JELD-WEN offers exterior doors that meet strict Zone 4 and design pressure (DP) requirements for wind-borne debris and impact resistance. For example, the JELD-WEN Premium Atlantic Aluminum Sliding Patio Door features a standard DP 80 rating, even for openings that are up to 16 feet wide. Another storm-resistant product from JELD-WEN is the all-panel Custom Fiberglass Exterior Door. Selected styles are impact-rated and carry a DP 50 rating. JELD-WEN also offers double-car garage doors with a DP rating of 50 and single-car garages with a DP rating of 57, both meeting Florida's strict standards.

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