Use Tape on Windows or Not?
07:31 AM EDT - 11 May 1999

As the 1999 storm season approached it helps to know more facts. Quite a few people seem to think that using masking tape or some other tape X'd over windows will help in a storm if the windows were to shatter.

However from tests it has been found to be a waste of time, and tape. A little masking tape is no protection against the flying debrisI in a hurricane, and the strength the tape adds is about the same as putting a piece of 1-ply tissue paper over the window.

Now after this, you will have to scrape off the baked on tape in 90 degree + weather if nothing happens. That is, if they weren't shattered in a storm. If a hurricane warning is issued its a much better idea to use shutters or 1/2" 4-ply CDX plywood. However even with this info, I doubt it'll stop people. The apparant (but totally misleading) protection that tape provides is more psychological than physically helpful.

This a good thing to know for when a real Hurricane Warning comes, you won't have too much time, so don't waste it. And just prepare earlier rather than waiting through huge, and sometimes slightly paniced and hostile lines at a local Home Improvement warehouse during an alert.