How to Board up Windows on Your Brick House

Things you will need

To successfully board up the windows, you will need the following:

Window clips or anchors
Screws or bolts
Drill
Nails
Ladder
Measuring tape
Leather gloves
Safety glasses
Masking tape or packing tape
Heavy trash bags
Plywood sheets
And a partner buddy to work with

Wear protective gears

Always wear the right PPE or personal protective equipment. This should always come in handy since this is always a standard rule when doing construction work or when using hazardous tools. Protect yourself first before anything else. Implement the same safety with your partner that will help you with this task.

If you have a big outdoor umbrella or shade, protect yourself from the sudden change of weather while working. It can get super sunny and hot then the next thing you know, it’s raining already. You can use trash bags as a shed to protect you as well while working. It won’t hurt to check the weather update so you can schedule your workday strategically.

Clear the area

Check for any broken glass or cracked panes in the area. Check the stability of the windows and assess the situation. This is an important rule to prevent any accidents while doing or starting your work.

Check for the damaged window panes

Press against the damaged or cracked windowpanes making sure that it won’t fall on you while installing the new windows.

Secure the cracked window

To surely secure the cracked window, put a tape on it. If the damage or break is too severe and tape will not hold it. You might as well dispose of it off carefully. Ensure that you practice proper disposal etiquette. Please place it in a bag or cardboard box when disposing of it. You may also give it away to a junk shop for the proper recycling process.

Measure the window and frame

Start measuring the window and begin from the frame’s outside edges. Take note or record all the measurements you made. It’s highly recommended to measure every area more than once or twice to ensure that you will replace it with the right size or else the new windows won’t fit or install properly.

Measure plywood sheets

Now, let’s start measuring the plywood sheets. Cut it according to the required size based on your measurements. Use a circular saw when cutting the plywood. Handle the equipment safely and keep away from children’s reach.

Drill pilot holes into the plywood

Drill pilot holes into the plywood and make sure it’s aligned with the window frame’s middle section.

Mount the plywood

Mount the plywood over the covered window. At this point, ask your partner to help you install the plywood. Use the pilot holes in securing the board-up. Secure it as well with a power drill and needlepoint screws. Check for any loose screws and tighten it again.

Tips on boarding up windows

Before taking on the responsibility to this task, make sure that you have the basic knowledge to board up the window. This task needs accuracy and precision. After all, it’s your window that you’re fixing.
Always assess the weight of the damage to your windows. If it’s something simple that you can do, then let your magic do its course. But if it’s serious damage, you will have to call the right professionals to perform the job.
Fix and board up the windows immediately, especially if there’s a threat of bad weather. You don’t want your home to get flooded with water or be attacked with harsh cold weather. Secure your family and yourself before the bad weather starts.
When the worst comes, and your window is not safe for your home, consider evacuating yourself and your family. Especially during winter or typhoons, the house is unsafe for all of you with a broken window at hand.
When you measure the windows and plywood, always observe accuracy. Once you cut the wood, there’s no going back. It’s always recommended to verify your measurements twice.
Never perform a job without a partner, especially if you’re hanging the window boards high up. It could be too dangerous for you, and no one will help you to align the windows properly.
Assess the type of your house before replacing your window. Each type of house differs when it comes to window requirements. You may call your house contractor to inquire about what type of windows they used for your house.
Take note that larger windows would need bigger screws. Do not tighten them with smaller screws, or else your window will fall apart over time. Do it properly to prevent incurring accidents.
Always clean up after performing the job and do not leave any nails or screws lying on the floor. Dispose of all wood scraps and the old windows in the correct dumping site or to the junk shop for recycling.

Can you board up windows from the inside?

Hurricane Florence tip: Do not board up your windows from inside the house. Most folks preparing for a storm would have put the plywood on the outside of the home to protect the glass in the windows from shattering from any flying debris.

What can I use to board up windows?

Unless your home is equipped with hurricane shutters, an approaching storm means you’d better get busy putting plywood over your windows. Plywood is inexpensive, readily available (as long as you don’t wait until the last moment to shop), and has 30 percent greater impact strength than oriented strand board (OSB).

How do you board up windows for riots?

Common ways to protect business glass:

Nail or screw plywood sheets over windows and doors.
Permanently mount window bars and hinged gates.
Install roll-down metal shutters.

What kind of plywood do you use for boarding windows?

The short answer is simple: The first and most important requirement is that the panel material meet building code requirements. These requirements can be met by using ½” CDX plywood. But there are many other types of Wood Structural Panels that can be used to board up openings.

How do you protect Windows without plywood?

How to Protect Windows Without Plywood

Hurricane Fabric.
Safety and Security Window Film.
Storm Panels.
Hurricane Shutters.
Laminated Security Glass.

How much does it cost to board up windows?

If your insurance company does not have a preferred provider, you can expect to pay between $35 and $50 per man-hour for emergency board up services, depending on the exact circumstances of your project.

Does boarding windows really help?

One of these key preparations is the boarding up of windows and doors to protect them from wind damage and flying debris. Boarding up doors and windows won’t prevent all damage but can help you avoid some of the repairs associated with large storms.

When should you board up windows?

You‘ll need a helper to board up your windows. It’s a two-person job. We suggest boarding up the windows before the wind picks up. The plywood can be hard to hang onto making the job pretty difficult.

How do you board a basement window?

How can I permanently hide my window?

You can use household objects in front of the window to block the view, or you can create your own covering using film or glass paint. If you’re looking for a more permanent option, you can hang blinds, shades, or shutters.

How do you securely board a window?

How do you board a broken basement window?

Boarding Up a Broken Window: 7 Steps

Check the Broken Glass. You can leave cracked panes in place as you work, but check them for stability first.
Measure the Window and Frame. Measure the window from the outside edges of its frame, and then measure and make note of the frame’s width.
Measure, Cut and Drill.

How can I hide a break in my window?

Put masking tape on both sides of the crack to stabilize the pane. Clean the glass surface with acetone (nail polish remover) and carefully apply superglue to help prevent the crack from spreading.

What can you use to cover a broken house window?

Once the glass is completely removed, cover the frame with a tarp, plastic, or a heavy-duty garbage bag. Use packing or duct tape or a staple gun to secure the plastic in place. The plastic will temporarily serve as a barrier between your home and the outside elements.

How do you board up broken glass?

Take out the loose glass pieces. If the cracked glass proves to be strong to dismantle, wrap up their sharp edges with packing tape. Use thick pieces of cardboard or plywood to cover up the gap. In case the cardboard and plywood are out of reach, use black-coloured bin bags instead.

How do you fix a cracked window without replacing it?

How to Fix Cracked Glass Window (Quick Fixes)

Apply Masking Tape. Applying a piece of clear packing tape over the crack might help keep the glass intact.
Apply Nail Polish. After dipping the nail polish brush into the polish, fill-in the crack.
Apply mesh patch of nylon.
Apply a piece of thick plastic.