When a typhoon is approaching, many people prepare by putting duct tape or newspapers on their windows, but is this really an effective method? We analyze their effectiveness through scientific principles and experiments, and find more reliable ways to prepare for a typhoon.
In September 2024, Hurricane “Hurlin”, which hit the southeastern United States, reached a maximum wind speed of 250 km/h (about 70 m/s) and caused extensive damage in several areas, including the state of Florida. At least 105 people lost their lives, and many homes and infrastructure were destroyed.
As the hurricane approached, several American Internet communities and media outlets became active with discussions about concerns about Hurley and how to prepare. People became aware of the power of natural disasters and became more vigilant, and every household began to prepare by boarding up their windows and stocking up on water and food. During this preparation, supermarkets and stores quickly ran out of essential supplies.
People faithfully followed the methods suggested by the media. One of the most impressive was the use of duct tape or wet newspaper on windows. The sight of newspapers and tape on the windows of high-rise apartments was an unprecedented spectacle. This scene looked like a defensive line in preparation for war, and it showed a desire for each other’s safety.
But does putting tape or newspaper on the glass really make it harder to break? Before the typhoon, many people bought duct tape, and there was an unprecedented shortage of duct tape throughout the country. When the typhoon hit, people spent anxious hours spraying water from a spray bottle every few hours for fear that the newspaper on the glass would dry out. If their actions turn out to be ineffective, they may be quite disappointed. Before we look at the answer to this question, let’s take a look at glass.
Glass is classified as a resilient material. It bends or stretches when subjected to an external force and returns to its original state when the force is removed. If it is subjected to an excessive force that exceeds its elastic limit, it will crack and break in an instant. The pressure of a typhoon’s wind is also a kind of force. When pressure is applied to a window, the edge of the glass held by the window frame remains in place, but the center of the glass is pushed inward. Therefore, when viewed from the side, it curves into a wide parabolic shape. If the pressure is too great and exceeds the limit of what the glass can support in a parabolic shape, it will crack and eventually shatter in an instant.
The force that the glass can withstand from the outside is called “glass stress”. If the tension of the glass is high, it will require a greater force to change to the limit that the glass can support. Eventually, it will be able to support more force from the outside. For the same glass material, the thicker the glass and the smaller the size of the glass, the greater the force it can withstand. To explain the principle simply, imagine a situation where one person holds a piece of vinyl in a taut state and another person pokes it with a finger. The thicker the vinyl and the smaller the size of the vinyl in the stretched area, the less the shape of the vinyl will change.
Applying tape or newspaper in an X shape to the glass can increase the tension of the glass. Tape or wet newspaper can be useful in resisting the changes in the glass. If we cannot change the thickness or size of the glass to prepare for a typhoon, using tape or newspaper on the already installed glass is a good alternative. Therefore, in theory, it is not wrong for the media to emphasize the use of tape or newspaper to prevent window damage caused by typhoons.
Then you may wonder how effective tape and newspaper are in practice. If their effectiveness can be verified through scientific experiments and theories, it will be a more reliable countermeasure. Many people have used vinyl sheeting or special protective film in addition to tape and newspaper. These protective devices provide additional tension and help prevent the glass from breaking.
However, simply putting tape or newspaper on the glass is not enough. According to a news experiment, the glass used in our everyday windows is unlikely to break easily due to wind pressure alone. This means that the tension of the glass itself is strong enough to withstand a typhoon. In fact, when a window is broken by a typhoon, it is usually because the window frame and glass are not properly attached, or the window frame is old and not securely attached. The gap between the window frame and the window, and between the window and the glass, causes the window to rattle and receive physical impact, which causes the glass or window to detach and fall to the ground, destroying it.
Ultimately, to effectively prevent windows from breaking in high winds, it is necessary to tighten the window locks and use tape to prevent the window from shaking in the wind by sealing the space between the window frame and sash, rather than using newspaper and tape to cover the glass. It is also important to ensure structural safety by inspecting and reinforcing the window frame and sash.
In addition, when a typhoon is forecast, more thorough preparations than usual are required. In addition to checking the condition of windows, doors, roofs, and exterior walls, it is a good idea to clean up the surroundings to protect against falling objects and debris. These preparations can be effective not only for typhoons, but also for other natural disasters. In the end, thorough preparation and advance planning for natural disasters is the first step in protecting our safety.
