When a hurricane comes to the Gulf Coast, what will you use to protect your windows? There are different classes of window protection. In this video, a cannon that shoots wood 2 x 4 (two by fours) into windows at 34 mph. The test windows are protected with 5 qualities of window protection: plywood, particle board OSB, ballistic nylon treated with resins held with brackets, metal shutters, and impact glass.

5 Types of Window Protection

Plywood is 5/8 inch thick and costs $30 per sheet.  It protects the house better than other common alternatives.

Particle Board OSB is 1/2 inch thick costs $10 per sheet but only provides minimum protection.

Ballistic Nylon Sheet prevents objects from entering your home, but doesn’t protect the glass of the window.

Metal Shutters may end up with the metal shutter AND the window broken

The Impact Glass Window is insulated and will shatter like a car window but you won’t get a hole in it (and your house is still protected from wind and rain).  In the insurance business, this is the only grade of glass that’s considered good enough for the customer to get a discounted price on the overall premium.

This video was taken from:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365124775  (now unavailable)