Ricangal, I'm glad you liked it! I have enough uncovered windows on the north side of my house to get light. I have been concentrating on covering the south and east side, hoping the north winds would not be as strong.
It is also good to number the shutters, starting with #1 by the garage and work your way clockwise around the house. That is just in case one window is a bit different than the next. There is usually a little difference between them and how a shutter will fit. I have some on the back side of my house just to keep the heat out. Fluorescent lighting inside so they are less expensive to run than the air conditioning.
@KayakFisher01 I probably should have included it. I did in clude it on the website but forgot to in the video. On the back of each shutter, I have a map of the house with a label as to which shutter fits in which window.
Love 'em. Love 'em. Love 'em. And you even thought to put handles on. Also, one your commenters' suggestion of putting a couple of bolts that lock was genius! One question: What do you think about cutting circles with a hole saw here and there to allow light to enter the house? Thanks again. This is a great DIY vid.
@dawmlw Mike, the problem with plywood is that it offers little the way strength in high velocity winds and even less in missile impact protection. Go to the youtube site that I mentioned previously and you would see that. Also your video shows the slide bolts projecting into the mortar joint. Isn't that the WEAKEST spot of the window opening? Wouldn't drilling into the brick have made it stronger? And you fastened them to the plywood with screws instead of thru-bolts? Just curious
Thank you! Contractor did these for my entire home. Prime, painted with barrel bolts. It's something I can put up on my own before hurricane approaches. Question? How do you store these in the garage. Flat...upright?
There are many ways to make stronger shutters. They cost from two to ten times as much. The problem I was trying to address is how folks could inexpensively protect their windows. The better shutters cost $250 per piece and this costs $250 per house. I think many people have no protection simply because of the prohibitive costs. This is an alternative that will give them quite a bit of protection for cheap.
These shutters will afford you absolutely no protection in hurricane force winds. They will tear away from brick and the shutters will become potentially deadly missiles. The design does not meet minimum code requirements.
5/8 is pretty strong shiz. probably better than aluminum. all your trying to do is keep windows from breaking and keep wind out. even if branch was to go through it would probably only leave broken glass and small hole vs big hole and broken glass with no protection.
I like the idea and have seen similar design using 1/2 plywood and fiberglass mat and roving with West Systems to make them much more impact resistant as plywood is the worst protection for brick veneer homes like yours. As indicated by others, drilling into the grout is a bad idea. Yes, easy to drill, but has no strength. As others have indicated, Barrel bolts have a tenancy to vibrate open. When you have storm winds, it will vibrate the wood enough that would be a big worry. Zip Ties. Another worry is just pulling out the self tapping screws. I would through-bolt onto a backing plate on the other side of the wood. Finally, I would also drill 2 holes about 1" to handle the pressure differential. Very nicely done video.
First I want to say it's a great video and I think it's a good idea. But there are a few problems with your solution if I may address. First, your drill points for the barrel bolts should have been into the brick not the soft mortar line and if the brick is not properly anchored which it's probably only supported by a tie straps then you should bolt the anchoring brick to the substructure. Second, there's not enough anchoring surface area for the amount of board surface area, at minimum I would add a bolt to the bottom and two more to the sides. Finally, I would drill two small holes in which to loop a tie wire to secure the barrel bolt handles while in the locked position so they do not vibrate into the open position during the hurricane. Again, cosmetically speaking, I think it's a great idea but a few more dollars need to be invested per window for the optimum protection from the design. Ultimately surface mounted panels would be most ideal due to the fact that they cover more surface area and provides a better anchor. I wanted to thank you for the video because it gave me a new perspective I only hope I was able to return the favor.
look into plylocks.. they give a good guideline for spacing of attachment points. should be drilled into brick, not mortar. the rattling during storm will eat away at the mortar. that being said. some better method of securing to eliminate vibrations. I am looking for cheaper alternative to expensive installed ones. I like this idea. not fond of storing planks though.
Wow. Folks, I've been scratching my head trying to figure out why 83Goldwinger has been giving me fits for a week over this simple video I posted demonstrating how to make your own hurricane shutters. Then I looked at his videos. Check it out! He sells commercial hurricane panels!
markets a product as hurricane, windstorm or impact protection from wind-borne debris without such approval is subject to The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act under Part II of chapter 501 as brought by the enforcing authority as defined in s. 501.203."
Ricangal,
I'm glad you liked it! I have enough uncovered windows on the north side of my house to get light. I have been concentrating on covering the south and east side, hoping the north winds would not be as strong.
It is also good to number the shutters, starting with #1 by the garage and work your way clockwise around the house. That is just in case one window is a bit different than the next. There is usually a little difference between them and how a shutter will fit.
I have some on the back side of my house just to keep the heat out. Fluorescent lighting inside so they are less expensive to run than the air conditioning.
looks nice, good vid. You could also make two of the bolt locks lockable by padlock. That could be handy in the SHTF.
@KayakFisher01 I probably should have included it. I did in clude it on the website but forgot to in the video. On the back of each shutter, I have a map of the house with a label as to which shutter fits in which window.
Love 'em. Love 'em. Love 'em. And you even thought to put handles on. Also, one your commenters' suggestion of putting a couple of bolts that lock was genius! One question: What do you think about cutting circles with a hole saw here and there to allow light to enter the house? Thanks again. This is a great DIY vid.
I do like the base idea and design. Would work nicely for smaller Windows like these. Looks way nicer than just a plywood plank!
Thanks!
Great job sir thanks for showing us how to protect our home
@dawmlw Mike, the problem with plywood is that it offers little the way strength in high velocity winds and even less in missile impact protection. Go to the youtube site that I mentioned previously and you would see that. Also your video shows the slide bolts projecting into the mortar joint. Isn't that the WEAKEST spot of the window opening? Wouldn't drilling into the brick have made it stronger? And you fastened them to the plywood with screws instead of thru-bolts? Just curious
I was going to comment the same thing. The mortar is not strong, and will fatigue with persistent rattling by the wind.
Thank you! Contractor did these for my entire home. Prime, painted with barrel bolts. It's something I can put up on my own before hurricane approaches. Question? How do you store these in the garage. Flat...upright?
I store mine upright. I think they might bend if stored flat but I haven't tried it.
There are many ways to make stronger shutters. They cost from two to ten times as much. The problem I was trying to address is how folks could inexpensively protect their windows. The better shutters cost $250 per piece and this costs $250 per house. I think many people have no protection simply because of the prohibitive costs. This is an alternative that will give them quite a bit of protection for cheap.
These shutters will afford you absolutely no protection in hurricane force winds. They will tear away from brick and the shutters will become potentially deadly missiles. The design does not meet minimum code requirements.
@83Goldwinger Each one was about $38. I'd estimate the time at 1.5 hours, not including the time for paint drying.
I'm with you but how can we make it stronger without incurring a bunch of additional expense? Right now they are about $38 each.
5/8 is pretty strong shiz. probably better than aluminum.
all your trying to do is keep windows from breaking and keep wind out. even if branch was to go through it would probably only leave broken glass and small hole vs big hole and broken glass with no protection.
Well done, and a great idea. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks!
I made mine very similar with PVC 3/4, with longer passers, has an eyelet to secure it and worked in the hurricane maria.es good idea
@HalfQ good point!
Mike, how much money did you end up spending on the project?? How many man-hours?
BRILLIANT!
I'm glad you liked it!
I am fortunate in that I have light coming in through other windows but I see what you mean.
I like the idea and have seen similar design using 1/2 plywood and fiberglass mat and roving with West Systems to make them much more impact resistant as plywood is the worst protection for brick veneer homes like yours. As indicated by others, drilling into the grout is a bad idea. Yes, easy to drill, but has no strength. As others have indicated, Barrel bolts have a tenancy to vibrate open. When you have storm winds, it will vibrate the wood enough that would be a big worry. Zip Ties. Another worry is just pulling out the self tapping screws. I would through-bolt onto a backing plate on the other side of the wood. Finally, I would also drill 2 holes about 1" to handle the pressure differential. Very nicely done video.
I like your idea about the pressure consideration! Cheap easy improvement. Thanks!
Thanks Joe!
that looks great
How thick is plywood? It should be 5/8" to work. 1/2" will not work.
Thanks.
First I want to say it's a great video and I think it's a good idea. But there are a few problems with your solution if I may address. First, your drill points for the barrel bolts should have been into the brick not the soft mortar line and if the brick is not properly anchored which it's probably only supported by a tie straps then you should bolt the anchoring brick to the substructure. Second, there's not enough anchoring surface area for the amount of board surface area, at minimum I would add a bolt to the bottom and two more to the sides. Finally, I would drill two small holes in which to loop a tie wire to secure the barrel bolt handles while in the locked position so they do not vibrate into the open position during the hurricane. Again, cosmetically speaking, I think it's a great idea but a few more dollars need to be invested per window for the optimum protection from the design. Ultimately surface mounted panels would be most ideal due to the fact that they cover more surface area and provides a better anchor. I wanted to thank you for the video because it gave me a new perspective I only hope I was able to return the favor.
Good ideas Steve! Thanks!
My pleasure.
look into plylocks.. they give a good guideline for spacing of attachment points. should be drilled into brick, not mortar. the rattling during storm will eat away at the mortar. that being said. some better method of securing to eliminate vibrations.
I am looking for cheaper alternative to expensive installed ones. I like this idea. not fond of storing planks though.
@HalfQ yessir!
@jrinker64 Thanks!
Great to see that stodoys has new plans to save my money and energy to build it.
Wow. Folks, I've been scratching my head trying to figure out why 83Goldwinger has been giving me fits for a week over this simple video I posted demonstrating how to make your own hurricane shutters. Then I looked at his videos. Check it out! He sells commercial hurricane panels!
My neighborhood is going to hell. I'll soon need 1/2" bizalloy.
The first bolt shown looks like it's going through the grout... be careful. That is not the place you want the stress flexing on!
Making a clean hole in the brick is tough.
dawmlw it's worth your shutter staying attached to your house though...
touche'
Norm Abrams has 100,000 dollhairs wood shop.
work goes much faster with Avasva plans.
I've found great handbook on woodprix website. Good solutions for every single project I think.
markets a product as hurricane, windstorm or impact protection from wind-borne debris without such approval is subject to The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act under Part II of chapter 501 as brought by the enforcing authority as defined in s. 501.203."
I did it with the Woodglut plans.