When a typhoon approaches, many people prepare by taping or covering their windows with newspaper. But is this truly an effective method? We analyze its effectiveness through scientific principles and experiments, and explore more reliable typhoon preparedness methods.
In September 2024, the massive Hurricane Hurlinn struck the southeastern United States, reaching maximum sustained winds of 250 km/h (approximately 70 m/s) and causing extensive damage across multiple regions, including Florida. This resulted in at least 105 fatalities and the destruction of countless homes and infrastructure.
As the hurricane approached, various online communities and media outlets in the U.S. became active with discussions about concerns regarding Hurlyne and preparation methods. People became acutely aware of the power of natural disasters and grew vigilant. Households took steps to prepare, such as reinforcing windows and stockpiling water and food. During this preparation process, supermarkets and stores saw essential goods quickly run out.
People diligently followed the methods suggested by the media. Particularly striking was the practice of applying tape or wet newspaper to windows. The sight of newspapers and tape covering every densely packed window of high-rise apartments was an unprecedented spectacle. This scene resembled a defensive line preparing for war, revealing a shared hope for each other’s safety.
But does taping or covering windows with newspaper actually prevent glass from shattering? Before the typhoon hit, many people rushed to buy tape, causing unprecedented shortages nationwide. When the storm arrived, people anxiously sprayed water on the windows every few hours, worried the paper might dry out. If it turns out these actions have little effect, it could be quite disheartening. Before examining the answer to this, let’s first understand glass.
Glass is classified as an elastic material. When subjected to external force, it bends or stretches, and when the force is removed, it returns to its original state. If it receives excessive force exceeding its elastic limit, cracks form, and it shatters instantly. The pressure from typhoon winds is also a type of force. When pressure is applied to a windowpane, the edges of the glass, held in place by the frame, remain fixed. However, the center portion of the glass is pushed inward. Therefore, viewed from the side, it bends into a wide parabolic shape. If the pressure becomes excessively large, exceeding the limit that the parabolic shape can sustain, cracks form, and ultimately, the glass shatters instantly.
The force glass can withstand from external sources is called ‘glass tensile strength’. When glass tensile strength is high, a greater force is required to change the glass beyond its support limit. Ultimately, it can withstand a larger external force. For glass of the same material, thicker glass and smaller glass pieces can withstand greater forces. To explain the principle simply, imagine one person holding a piece of plastic taut while another tries to pierce it with a finger. The thicker the plastic, and the smaller the taut area, the less the plastic deforms.
Applying tape or newspaper in an X-shape pattern on glass significantly increases its tensile strength. Tape or damp newspaper effectively resists changes in the glass’s shape. If we cannot replace existing windows with thicker glass or smaller panes to prepare for a typhoon, applying tape or newspaper to the installed glass becomes a good alternative. Therefore, the media’s emphasis on using tape or newspaper to prevent typhoon-related window damage is theoretically not incorrect.
So, you might wonder how effective tape and newspaper actually are. If their effectiveness could be confirmed through scientific experiments and theory, it would make for a more reliable precaution. Many people also used vinyl sheets or special protective films in addition to tape and newspaper. These protective measures contribute to preventing glass breakage by providing additional tensile strength.
However, applying tape or newspaper to glass is not a perfect solution. According to a news experiment, the glass we commonly use in windows is not easily broken by wind pressure alone. This means the glass itself already possesses sufficient tensile strength to withstand a typhoon. In reality, when windows break during a typhoon, it’s usually not a problem with the glass itself. More often, it’s because the window pane isn’t properly secured to the frame, or the frame is old and the pane isn’t tightly fixed. Gaps between the frame and pane, or between the pane and the glass, cause the window to rattle and receive physical impact. This leads to the glass or pane detaching and falling to the ground, resulting in breakage.
Ultimately, to effectively prevent window breakage in strong winds, rather than covering the glass with newspaper and tape, it is crucial to securely fasten the window latches and apply tape to eliminate gaps between the frame and sash, preventing the window from swaying in the wind. Additionally, inspecting and reinforcing the window frame and sash to ensure structural integrity is vital.
Moreover, when a typhoon is forecasted, more thorough preparations than usual are necessary. Beyond windows, inspect doors, roofs, and exterior walls, and tidy up the surrounding environment to protect against falling objects or debris. These precautions can be effective not only for typhoons but also for other natural disasters. Ultimately, thorough preparation and advance planning for natural disasters are the first step in safeguarding our safety.
