Windows & Doors

Windows and doors play an important role in protecting a home during a storm. They stop rain and wind from entering, keeping the interior dry and preventing the forces of wind uplift from lifting off the roof or otherwise damaging the structure. When damage is sustained inside a home, repair are more expensive compared to just exterior damage. Personal possessions can be damaged or destroyed. All openings in the exterior of a building should be secured

to withstand high winds and wind-borne debris. Prior to a storm, homeowners should remove or secure items in the yard that may become wind-borne missiles.

Broken glass in windows or doors allows rain to enter, damaging the structure, interior finishes, and contents. Latching mechanisms should be added to all windows and doors to lessen the chance of them being forced open by high winds. Windows can be protected with added storm windows, storm shutters, temporary storm panels, window films, or storm screens. Interior or exterior storm windows are available and can also help lower energy costs by reducing air infiltration in historic homes.

Shutters are a common and often distinctive feature of many native Louisiana building styles and are common on both windows and doors. Other styles imported from different climates, like Arts and Crafts bungalows or Mid-Century ranch houses, either had no shutters or had false ones permanently affixed to the side of the building. Shutters were historically used for ventilation, privacy, and to shade building interiors from the sun. They also protected glass windows and doors from breaking in a storm. Reproduction shutters can be manufactured to match historic materials and details. Modern roll-up or folding shutters attached to the exterior change the appearance of a historic

building and are not recommended.

Temporary storm panels are preferable alternatives to modern retrofit shutters. Temporary storm panels can be made from plywood or corrugated metal and should be produced ahead of time to be on hand when a storm is imminent. Fabric storm panels or screens, impact resistant film added to glass, or woven metal screens may be less noticeable than modern shutters and detract less from the historic character of the building while still offering some protection. When installing permanent barriers like shutters or screens, it is important that they be appropriate to the style of the building.

Not Recommended. NOLA Gentilly Poorly designed shutter Image Credit NPS Edward FitzGerald

Not Recommended. NOLA Broadmoor Plastic Hurricane Shutters Image Credit NPS Edward FitzGerald.

References

Disaster Mitigation for Historic Structures, 1000 Friends of Florida

Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures (Third Edition), FEMA

Hurricane Resistance: Retrofitting, Storm Shutters Increase Safety, Ann Green

Additional Resources

Home Builders Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series, FEMA

Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your Home from Flooding, FEMA

Retrofit	Description	Advantages	Notes	Priority	Installation
Building Elevation	Raise above BFE or DFE	Easier on houses with crawl spaces	More complex for houses with additions or on grade	High	Professional
Dry Flood Proofing	Walls are coated with water proof material and all openings must be closed off during a flood	Works best on masonry buildings whose foundations are built on grade	Not recommended for historic buildings and materials	Low	Professional
Wet Flood Proofing	Flooding is planned for by moving utilities and contents above the BFE or DFE	Alternative for homes that cannot be elevated	Could result in  more damage	Medium	DIY or Professional
Levees	Large embankment. Rule of thumb that for every 1 ft in height the levee must be 7 ft wide	Prevents floodwaters from reaching the house	Can be very large and may provide the perception that you are diverting water towards your neighbors	Low	Professional/ Government
Floodwalls	Wall constructed around home or property to protect against floodwaters	Prevents floodwaters from reaching the house	Can be very large and may provide the perception that you are diverting water towards neighbors	Low	Professional
Site Drainage	When the land slopes towards a building it can guide water towards the building	Grade the landscape away from buildings	Can disrupt the landscape that may  have historic plantings	High	DIY or Professional
French Drain	Typically a trench that has a slotted pipe to divert water away from buildings	The drain is buried in the ground and will not be visible	Will have to disturb site to dig drain	Medium	DIY or Professional
Porch	Reinforce structural elements and tie together from foundation to roof	Prevents porch and its elements from being washed or blown away	If the roof is an extension of the main roof and the porch pulls away from the house this can lead to water in infiltration on the interior	High	Professional
Chimneys	Repair and anchor to house	The mass of a chimney can serve as an anchor for a building	May require some repointing or reconstruction to  strengthen or stabilize	Medium	Professional
Roofs	Well maintained roofs should sustain less damage during high winds. Connections should be strengthened to tie the structure together	If your roof has reached the end of its life and needs replacement this is the time to add a water proof membrane and strengthen connections	When replacing a roof this is the best time to upgrade. Your options may be limited if your are not replacing your roof which should not be done for a roof in good condition	High	Professional
Windows and Doors	All openings should be secured	Additional or stronger hardware may be needed	May take longer to determine appropriate hardware for historic windows and doors	High	DIY or Professional
Window Films	Can be added to existing windows to hold glass fragments together during high impacts	May also provide a savings to homeowners long term by reducing energy costs	May not provide adequeate protection from wind borne debris	Medium	Professional
Temporary Shutters	Provide protection for glass against wind-borne debris	Can be pre- pared ahead of time for quicker installation when a storm approaches	Need to be installed when a storm is imminent. Homeowners should be physically able to do this themselves or have a plan for an event	Medium	DIY
Permanent Shutters	Provide protection for glass against wind-borne debris	Can be put in place before a storm and may be easier for homeowners who are physically challenged to execute	Aluminum roll down shutters stand out on historic facades. Permanently attached shutters may block egress	Low	Professional
Storm Windows	Provide protection for glass against wind-borne debris	Can be installed on the interior or exterior	Exterior storm windows are often not recommended for historic homes; Interior storm windows will protect against water in filtration but will not protect the windows	High	DIY or Professional

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