The use of masking
tape and duct tape to hurricane proof windows
offers a false sense of security
for consumers who cannot afford the time and
money involved in using plywood.
Because of
masking/duct tape’s properties for easy
tear-ability, protection against
injury, high speed foreign body impacts, flying
shards of glass, extensive clean-up, and loss of
property due to damage or looting still exist.
Clean up and
removal of masking/duct tape can prove to be
more difficult since they leave behind glue
residue which can be very stubborn and time
consuming to remove.
Masking/Duct tape
also proves useless when applied as a deterrent
against looting due to riots.
In the event of a windstorm,
HURRICANE TAPE™ offers
significant safety and security value, reducing
the risk of injury from flying shards of broken
glass, and minimizing projectile and water
penetration through the window.
HURRICANE TAPE™ is TRUE hurricane
proofing for windows.
In conjunction
with an alarm system, HURRICANE TAPE™
also acts as a high performance measure of
security in the battle against 'smash
and grab' crime. The tough,
shatter-resistant qualities of HURRICANE
TAPE™ holds the window glass together
even if a brick (or similar object) is thrown
against the glass. The thief must now make a
choice; continue to attack this window, try
another window, or move on. Time is short, and
often they move on. *
HURRICANE TAPE™
also addresses concerns and needs for improved
safety and security against terrorist
acts of bombings. HURRICANE
TAPE™ can significantly reduce the risk
of serious injury from flying shards of glass
due to blasts, depending on the severity of the
blast and the proximity of the window glass to
the blast.*
Clean-ability is
also effortless since HURRICANE TAPE™
will peel off leaving NO RESIDUE.
HURRICANE TAPE™
is virtually impossible to tear by hand.
* Based on 100% coverage of the window.
Problems with
Plywood
The frustration
of long line ups and the requirement of strong,
able-bodied people to load and unload the
plywood make it a less than desirable choice.
Plywood is very durable, but the application
requires strong, able-bodied people. In
addition, property damage is incurred in both
the application process and the removal process.
There is no
argument plywood is a very effective material
when applied as hurricane proofing on windows or
used as a deterrent against looting during riots
on storefront windows.
However a few problems
arise:
|
Cost |
Purchasing plywood to hurricane
proof windows is expensive and
reserved for a small percentage
of the population who can afford
it. This does not include costs
of fasteners (nails), tools,
transportation and installation
(see Time & Labor) of materials.
|
|
Time and Labor |
Depending on the size of project, an
entire day or more is required to
install plywood. In some cases,
depending on the consumer (seniors,
disabled, maternal), hiring a handyman
at hourly rates is required. More time
and labor is expended during plywood
removal. |
|
Availability |
In the
days leading up to a major storm,
suppliers often run out of stock as
suppliers have limited retail space in
which to store plywood. Consumers also
tend to horde the less expensive grades
of wood. |
|
Storability |
The
challenges of where to store the
wood when its usefulness has
past. Trying to keep large
amounts of plywood dry and rot
free requires a lot of storage
space.
|
|
Damage |
Incurred
during installation and removal of
plywood. Holes, scratches, and other
damage is left behind from screws,
nails, and power tools. |
|
Injury |
Risk of
injury to consumer in his or her
attempts to install and remove plywood,
especially in dealing with tall
buildings. |
|
Visibility |
Plywood will reject sunlight,
rendering the interior of the
house in blackout during
possible power failure. It will
also hamper rescue efforts if
rescuers are unable to visually
determine if the property is
occupied.
|
|
Safety |
Although applying plywood to windows
does provide storm protection, a direct
impact by a foreign object will transmit
energy through the plywood causing the
glass to shatter, exposing the occupants
to possible injury. |
HURRICANE
TAPE™ is a superior
alternative in comparison to plywood
based on cost, convenience and safety.
HURRICANE
TAPE™ offers TRUE
affordable peace of mind.
