Every year, it sneaks up on us. One day you’re enjoying the spring weather, and the next you’re watching a tropical system form in the Gulf and wondering if your house is ready. If you’ve lived in Jacksonville long enough, you know the feeling.
Hurricane season officially starts June 1, and the window to prepare your home — no pun intended — is right now. Not when the first storm warning hits. Not when the plywood sells out at the hardware store. Now, while it’s calm and you can make decisions without pressure.
We’ve been renovating and repairing homes in the Jacksonville area for nearly 30 years, and every season we see the same thing: homeowners who prepared early come through storms with minimal damage. Homeowners who waited? They end up on our repair schedule for months afterward.
Here’s what to focus on before June 1.
Start With Your Windows — They’re Your Home’s Weak Points
Windows are one of the most vulnerable parts of any home during a hurricane. When wind-driven debris strikes a window and it fails, the pressure change inside your home can compromise the entire structure — roof included.
If your home still has standard single-pane or older double-pane windows, this is the year to seriously consider upgrading to impact-rated windows. These aren’t just “hurricane windows” — they reduce outside noise, improve energy efficiency year-round (your AC will thank you in July), and often qualify for insurance discounts.
For Jacksonville homeowners specifically, it’s worth talking to your contractor about which ratings and options make sense for your home’s exposure and location. Not all impact windows are the same, and the right choice depends on your specific situation.
If impact windows aren’t in the budget this year, at minimum:
- Inspect all window seals and caulking for gaps or deterioration
- Test that every window locks securely and latches tight
- Have hurricane shutters or panels measured, purchased, and stored where you can access them quickly
- Replace any cracked or foggy panes — compromised glass fails faster under pressure
Your Doors Tell a Story Too
Exterior doors — especially garage doors — are common failure points during storms. A garage door that buckles under wind pressure can expose the largest opening in your home to hurricane-force winds, and from there, the damage cascades.
Here’s what to check:
Entry doors: Make sure they’re solid-core (not hollow) with a deadbolt and reinforced strike plate. The weatherstripping should be intact with no daylight visible around the edges. If your front door is original to an older Jacksonville home, it may be time for an upgrade — not just for storms, but for energy efficiency and security year-round.
Sliding glass doors: These are particularly vulnerable. Impact-rated sliding doors exist and are worth the investment, especially for homes with large openings facing east or northeast (our typical storm approach direction). At minimum, ensure the track is clean, the lock engages fully, and you have a secondary bar or pin in place.
Garage doors: If your garage door isn’t wind-rated, a bracing kit is an affordable interim solution. These retrofit kits add horizontal supports that help the door resist buckling. For long-term protection, a wind-rated garage door is the better investment.
Walk Your Exterior Before Storm Season
Set aside an hour on a dry day and walk the full perimeter of your home. You’re looking for anything that could become a problem when 60+ mph winds arrive:
Roof and gutters: Look up. Missing or lifted shingles? Debris in the gutters? Gutters pulling away from the fascia? Jacksonville’s tree canopy drops a lot of material year-round, and clogged gutters during a heavy storm can push water back under your roof edge and into your soffit. Clean them out now.
Fascia and soffit: These are the horizontal boards and panels under your roof overhang. Soft spots, peeling paint, or visible gaps mean water has already been getting in. In our humid climate, unchecked soffit damage leads to wood rot fast — and rotten wood won’t hold up in a storm.
Siding and trim: Run your hand along exterior wood trim, especially near the ground and around windows. If it feels soft or spongy, that’s rot. It needs to be addressed before storm season, not after. A small repair now prevents a major replacement later.
Trees and landscaping: Dead branches, palm fronds hanging overhead, or trees leaning toward your home are all storm hazards. Get them trimmed back. Keep shrubs at least 12 inches from your exterior walls to allow airflow and reduce moisture buildup.
Impact Windows vs. Shutters: Which Makes Sense?
This is a question we get every spring. Here’s the honest answer: both work, and the right choice depends on your situation.
Impact windows are a permanent solution. Once installed, you never have to scramble before a storm. They work 24/7, improving energy efficiency and noise reduction whether a storm is coming or not. The upfront cost is higher, but many Jacksonville homeowners see returns through lower insurance premiums, reduced energy bills, and increased home value.
Hurricane shutters or panels are a lower upfront investment but require action before every storm. You need to store them, install them (often in stressful conditions), and remove them after. For seasonal residents or rental properties, they can make sense. But for your primary home? Impact windows give you peace of mind without the scramble.
We install both, and we’ll always give you our honest take on which makes sense for your specific home and budget.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Here’s what we see every year after a storm hits: the phone rings nonstop. Everyone needs repairs at once. Material prices spike. Lead times stretch to weeks or months. Insurance claims stack up.
Homeowners who prepared before the season? They’re the ones watching the storm from inside a secure, well-protected home — and getting back to normal life quickly afterward.
The best time to prepare was last month. The second-best time is today.
If you’re not sure where your windows, doors, or exterior stand heading into this hurricane season, we’re happy to walk through it with you. No pressure, no sales pitch — just an honest look at what needs attention and what can wait. That’s how we’ve always done it.
Get in touch with our team to schedule a pre-season walkthrough of your home’s exterior.
