Hurricanes and tornadoes can change direction and hit an unsuspecting area in a matter of minutes, defying meteorologists’ projections and wreaking havoc across cities and homes. We’ve all seen scenes on the news of homeowners boarding up windows with big sheets of plywood and getting out of town as quickly as possible, leaving their home at the mercy of the storm. Major hurricanes cause billions of dollars of damage and claim many lives when they hit vulnerable or densely populated areas, as Katrina tragically demonstrated.
There are ways to protect your home and property during a hurricane, tornado, or in other dangerous, high-wind conditions, and one solution may surprising in its simplicity.
Perforated metal panels are heavily used in architectural or industrial settings, either for decorative purposes or for their various functional applications. You probably see perforated metal panels everyday without noticing them – they can be the floor of the entrance to a building to add traction for pedestrians with rain-soaked shoes, the grating around the base of a tree in the park, or the material your office garbage can is made of. Some companies have developed perforated metal panels for security and privacy purposes, as well. Now, more homeowners and business owners in areas prone to extreme weather are applying perforated metal panels to protect their property and families.
Since the perforations in the panels can account for over 60% of the surface area, wind and rain can easily pass through while debris is blocked by the metal. Say you have a yard or office park with a fence of perforated metal panels. You can still see past through to the outside and keep your dog from running away, all the while protecting against debris that would go right through a chain-link or wooden fence. Perforated panels are incredibly strong, partly because of the low wind resistance provided by the perforations. This adds less strain on the already-tough panels and ensures more protection.
Of course you can’t protect against a tree falling on your house, and perforated metal panels can’t stop a flood in your factory, but flying debris from homes, cars, trees, and untethered objects can pose just as much of a risk to your home and your family. Strategically placing just a few metal panels can guard the most vulnerable areas of your home, such as large windows, doors, or outdoor decks.
Perforated metal panels can be customized to suit the aesthetic qualities of your home without the hassle of painting a wooden fence or repairing a flimsy chain-link one. A variety of patterns, finishes, and sizes are available to meet diverse design requirements.
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