The Home Crowd

This week, with the devastation that was caused by the cyclone in Myanmar (Burma), we’re all reminded of Katrina and every destructive hurricane we’ve ever seen.  Looking at pictures though, and the reports of 120 mph winds, the wreckage is quite similar to U.S. tornadoes and hurricanes.  While many of this storms victims lived in poorly constructed shacks, many of us here in the states who reside in high-wind prone areas have grown to accept wind-proofing their homes.  Whether it be storm shutters, roll-up protective metal screens, or just a mad dash down to the hardware store to get enough plywood to cover your windows/doors.

I saw this Q&A article by Norman Becker P.E. from Popular Mechanics, Norman is asked about Fabric screens used for wind protection.  He points to Armor Screen, a company from Riviera Beach, FL as a vendor of these screens which are rated to withstand the stringent Florida wind load requirements, large missile impact as well as 276 mph winds.

(Image credit: flying-chilli.com)

They boast quick set up times, yet I imagine that after seeing some of Armor Screen’s photos ‘as-installed’, that the actual illustration above.  Could you imagine stepping on that eyehook bolt popping out of your hardscape in your bare feet?  Ouch!  Granted, given enough room between screen and window (22 inches they say), the screen could allow enough deflection that you could possibly save that window in a hurricane or tornado adjacent.  I say adjacent of course, because if a tornado is headed for your living room, you’ll find refuge in your basement, and be damn pleased if it doesn’t strip you of your soiled undergarments by the time it’s left.

And saving the windows is great, and can save you some repair bills.  But the true intention of this product is to keep projectiles and debris from breaching the interior of your home and keeping you and your family safe.

Take this home above for example.  That screen’s on tight.  Any projectiles that hit it WILL bust out the window behind.  But take into account that in winds that are slamming against your home at 120 mph WILL be able to launch some of those cobblestones from the planter like kid hurling eggs at their least favorite teacher’s house.  Oh, and those pavers in the driveway?  Yeah, they pop out too.  Not what you want coming through the window.  Not only will that red-dyed chunk of concrete come in, but so will the glass, and glass blown through a funnel-like orifice in your home at that speed is also quite dangerous.

Looks like a great product though.  If they only had this fireproof and able to tarp over an entire home for the fire areas here in California.

Oh, and if this isn’t in your budget, and you’re going the old route of placing plywood over your doors and windows, do as the romans do and place it on the exterior!

(Q&A Popular Mechanics article here, and Armor Screen site)