exterior 3/16 plywood largo, fl

[hesperhys]

Here is a link to a page detailing construction of plywood shutters using barrel-bolts as fasteners

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index2.html

[greeng13]

ok...one last question, then it's purchase time....

Lowes recommeded "PlyLock (sp) Clips) instead of slider bolts for ease-of-use....

Any advice???

dunno...i was planning on using deck or drywall screws into my window frame (i do not have any large windows though)

[ldelatorre]

The Lowes in St Pete had a bunch of hurricane panels last Friday. In the long run is better than buying plywood every year.

[greeng13]

The Lowes in St Pete had a bunch of hurricane panels last Friday. In the long run is better than buying plywood every year.

just out of curiosity what are "hurricane panels"?

[KeyLargoDave]

just out of curiosity what are "hurricane panels"?

They are aluminum or steel panels about 12-15 inches wide and as tall as you need. They fit into tracks and/or are held by bolts. They are excellent because they are reasonably easy to put up, easy to store, strong, won't rot, and aren't ridiculously expensive (figure about $50-100 each for average size windows if you do it yourself). They can be used over sliding glass doors, entry doors, and windows. The tracks work with stucco or wood frame construction.

I'm trying to find more panels now -- lots of places in South florida are out. Broward Hurricane in Fort Lauderdale makes Miami-Dade approved hurrican panels systems. I also found a place the other day that sells them online.

[greeng13]

ok thanks for the info dave

[Pasco]

ok...one last question, then it's purchase time....

Lowes recommeded "PlyLock (sp) Clips) instead of slider bolts for ease-of-use....

Any advice???

melhow, my neighbor uses those clips and they look pretty reliable. i was at lowe's today buying plywood but they didn't have any clips left and very few slide bolts so i had to go another direction since i have to board up so many windows. if you can get enough clips go for it, they work from everything i've seen.

[melhow]

okey dokey...

just got back from Lowe's in Pinellas Park. Here's the scoop if you live here...

1 1/2 hr wait in line for wood. Got the last 12 sheets...

All Lowes and Home Depots from St. Pete to New Port Richey out of 1/2 inch plywood, barrel bolts, and plylox. *Supposed* to be getting more in tomorrow, but none of the stores are sure. Lowes Clearwater answering phones "Thank you for calling Lowes, we are out of generators and plywood. How can I direct your call"...

Good luck fellow Tampa Bay'ians

[Juno Beach]

I'll tell you what I did.

I didn't have the time or the patience to wait in line for 4 hours (that was how long it would have taken) for plywood.

I bought a bunch of pressure treated pine decking (some 1" thick and some 3/4" thick) and basically made my own shutters.

I had 4 sliding glass doors to cover up and used lag screws to secure a horizontal piece at the bottom, then fitted in the vertical pieces in behind it, then another across the top. Then I used simple drywall screws to tie it all together.

I don't care what anyone says, I think my little system turned out to be much more sturdy than plywood. There are some small gaps, which produced a painful whistling (for 6 hours), but even our property manager was impressed.

Here's a link to a picture:

http://users.adelphia.net/~mtnittany/images/house1.jpg

[jlauderdal]

Here is a link to a page detailing construction of plywood shutters using barrel-bolts as fasteners

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index2.html

I used those plans but went up one grade in ply wood and primed them and two coats of exterior high gloss. they work great on the windows that didnt have panels. just went through frances and they didnt even shake in 90 mph gusts.

[rjgator]

Be carful using slder bolts. You need to make sure that the bolt goes into the Concrete block and or wood framing (header Stud) around the window frame at least 1". If the bolt only goes into the stucco it is a very weak connection and may hold for positive pressure loads ie wind blowing on the window but will most likely fail in any negative pressure / suction loads due to the window frame support the plywood will be sucked right out of the opening. I think the PLylock system is good or be sure the bolts go into the concrete by at least 1 or 2 ". I have not seen many of the slide bolts that are this long. FYI to the exterior installation method all current direct mount hurricane shutters that have product approvals by Miami dade county and have been tested are exterior mounted with support anchors every six inches on all sides. The problem people face when using tapcons etc to anchor the plywood to a CMU structure is that they should use 1" FEnder washers and 1/4" X 2 3/4" min. Tapcons spaced at 6" OC. Most people will only throw on etapcon in each corner which is absolutely incorrect and the plywood will become a hazard. Any seems between sheets need to be butressed with a 2X6 and Anchored with 2" Wood Screws every 6 inches on each side and 4" x 1/4" Tapcons where the is CMU behind the 2 X 6. The minimum thickness plywood that should be used is 5/8".

[dhweather]

Plylox work very well for brick homes. I've got a bunch, as I used them for Isidore. Now I've got shutters, so I suppose I should sell the plylox, especially since there are folks that need them!

[melhow]

send 'em down!!! I'll pay for the overnight and the plylox minus 20% depreciation. I need appx. 80 fasteners...

[dhweather]

If you are serious, e-mail me - magee@datasync.com

[Lutrastorm]

Here's a website for Plylox

http://www.plylox.com/

We've been researching it for use on a house in the Bahamas. Seems to be the next greatest thing out there.....

[elvinp]

They are good for attaching plywood, but I still use screws too. Also add 2x4's for bracing plywood in window openings.

[tronbunny]

We used the Plylox in Osceola (15/32 ply) and west Volusia Counties for Frances.
I was able to do 12 windows by myself in Volusia (had only 15/32 OSB).
I know they all held up well following the "every 24 inches on sides" rule. Winds at the Volusia site could be near 80mph due to the massive tree damage. Winds in Osceola probably didn't exceed 70mph.
The only place they weren't helpful is my sliding glass doors, as they are not inset into the masonry enough.