Great points, especially about trimming branches—I've seen way too many roofs damaged from overlooked trees. I'd also add checking gutters regularly. Seems minor, but clogged gutters can overflow and cause water to seep into walls or foundations... not fun to deal with later. And yeah, insulation is underrated. It's surprising how much difference it makes, even in summer storms. Fancy gadgets are cool, but honestly, basic maintenance usually saves the day (and your budget).
- Good call on gutters, learned that the hard way last spring...
- Thoughts on storm shutters? Worth the investment or just plywood it?
- Also curious if anyone's tried DIY weather stripping—does it hold up?
"Thoughts on storm shutters? Worth the investment or just plywood it?"
Storm shutters are definitely worth it if you're in an area that regularly gets hit hard. I used plywood for years, and while it does the job, it's a pain to store and install every time a storm rolls in. Finally bit the bullet and got accordion shutters installed a few years back—best decision ever. They're quick to close up, sturdy, and honestly, the peace of mind alone was worth the cost.
As for DIY weather stripping, I've tried it a couple times. It can hold up okay if you're careful with prep and installation, but honestly, the store-bought stuff isn't that expensive and tends to last longer. I had some DIY stripping peel off mid-winter once—not fun. If you're handy and patient, give it a shot, but personally I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and save myself the hassle down the road.
I get the appeal of shutters, but honestly, plywood isn't that bad if you're on a tight budget. I've been using pre-cut plywood panels labeled for each window—makes setup way quicker, and storage isn't terrible if you stack them neatly in the garage. Storm shutters sound nice, but the cost difference is huge...
Totally get where you're coming from with plywood panels—smart thinking on labeling them too, probably saves you a ton of hassle during setup. Quick question though: how do you secure them exactly? I've seen people use screws directly into the window frames, but doesn't that leave you patching holes afterward? Curious if there's a less destructive way. Either way, sounds like you've got a solid system that works for you and your budget, which is what matters most.
