Haha, glad I'm not the only one who's learned the hard way. I skipped sanding entirely my first time around because, honestly, who wants to spend their Saturday scrubbing and sanding window frames? Big mistake... ended up with towels everywhere at 2 AM. Now I swear by painter's tape and a good silicone caulk—makes a huge difference. Still tedious, but at least no more indoor swimming pools when it storms. Hang in there, it'll get easier (or at least less messy).
"ended up with towels everywhere at 2 AM."
Haha, been there myself—nothing like waking up to the sound of dripping water at midnight. I remember my first coastal storm after moving in; thought I'd done a decent job sealing everything up, but nope... ended up scrambling around in pajamas, buckets in hand, cursing my DIY confidence. Silicone caulk is definitely a lifesaver, but honestly, it's the prep work that makes or breaks it. Tedious, yeah, but worth every minute spent sanding and taping when the next storm rolls through. Hang in there, you're doing great.
Haha, sounds painfully familiar. Had a similar experience a few years back—thought I'd nailed the sealing job around my windows, but the first big storm proved me wrong. Ended up with a makeshift towel fortress at 3 AM, muttering about how I should've just hired someone. But honestly, those late-night DIY disasters teach you more than any YouTube tutorial ever could.
You're spot-on about prep work being key, though I'd argue that silicone caulk alone isn't always enough. Learned the hard way that coastal storms have a knack for finding every tiny gap. After my towel fiasco, I switched to marine-grade sealants—bit pricier, sure, but they've held up way better against salt spray and heavy rain. Also, don't underestimate flashing tape around window frames. It's ugly stuff to work with, but it seriously cuts down on leaks.
And yeah, sanding and taping is tedious as hell, but skipping steps always comes back to bite you. I used to rush through prep, thinking "good enough" would hold. Nope. Now I spend twice as long prepping as I do actually sealing or painting. It's annoying, but waking up dry after a storm is worth every minute spent.
Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. Coastal living definitely has its quirks, but once you get the hang of it, there's nothing better. Hang tough—next storm you'll be sleeping soundly instead of scrambling for towels at 2 AM.
"Also, don't underestimate flashing tape around window frames. It's ugly stuff to work with, but it seriously cuts down on leaks."
True that—flashing tape saved my sanity more than once. Ever tried storm shutters though? Bit of a hassle initially, but they've held up through some nasty weather here...
Storm shutters seem solid, but I went with hurricane film instead—mostly 'cause shutters seemed like too much hassle to deal with every storm season. Film's holding up okay so far, but I'm not totally convinced it'll survive a really nasty blow. You think shutters make a big difference in noise reduction too, or is it mostly just leak protection?
I've installed both hurricane film and storm shutters for clients over the years, and I get why you went with film—it's definitely easier to manage day-to-day. But honestly, shutters do offer some distinct advantages beyond just leak protection.
One thing I've noticed consistently is that shutters—especially accordion or roll-down types—significantly cut down on noise during storms. The difference is pretty noticeable. Film does a decent job at holding the glass together if something hits it, but it doesn't really buffer the sound of heavy rain or debris impacts. Shutters, on the other hand, create a physical barrier with an air gap between the shutter and window, which acts as a natural sound dampener. I've had homeowners tell me they sleep way better during storms after installing shutters, just because the noise isn't as intense.
Another thing to consider is the structural integrity factor. Hurricane film is great for preventing shattered glass from flying into your home, but it doesn't actually stop the window from breaking under heavy impact. Shutters, especially metal or heavy-duty polycarbonate ones, absorb and distribute the force of impact, reducing the likelihood of window breakage altogether. This means less chance of water intrusion and interior damage, which can save you a lot of headaches (and money) after a big storm.
I get the hassle factor though—shutters can be a pain if you're putting them up and taking them down every season. If that's your main concern, you might want to look into permanently installed accordion shutters or motorized roll-down shutters. They're pricier upfront, but once they're installed, they're super easy to operate. Just slide or roll them into place when a storm's coming, and you're set.
Film's definitely better than nothing, and it might hold up fine in moderate storms. But if you're in an area prone to serious hurricanes or intense storms, shutters are a worthwhile upgrade—not just for leak protection, but for peace of mind and comfort too.
"Film does a decent job at holding the glass together if something hits it, but it doesn't really buffer the sound..."
Exactly this. Installed film at my own place first—thought it'd be enough—but after one rough storm, switched to accordion shutters. Night and day difference in noise reduction...and sleep quality.
"Night and day difference in noise reduction...and sleep quality."
Couldn't agree more. Film helps with safety, but shutters create an actual barrier—air gap and all—that dampens sound vibrations. Plus, shutters handle wind-driven rain better, keeping sills dry and reducing moisture issues long-term.
Good points, but shutters can get pricey fast and need regular upkeep. Another solid option: storm windows. Cheaper, decent noise reduction, and keeps the wet stuff out—saved my sanity (and wallet) last hurricane season...
Totally agree about storm windows being a lifesaver. We put some in two years ago after a particularly nasty storm left our living room carpet soaked (not fun). Honestly, I was skeptical at first—thought they'd be flimsy or wouldn't hold up—but they've been surprisingly solid. Plus, the noise reduction is a nice bonus. Didn't realize how much the wind rattling the windows kept me awake until it stopped.
One thing I'd add though: installation matters. We tried DIY-ing the first window and let's just say... it wasn't pretty. Ended up calling in a pro to fix our mess, haha. But even with that extra cost, still way cheaper than shutters. Maintenance-wise, they've been pretty low-key too. Just a quick check before storm season and we're good to go.