How to board up a broken window is one of the random emergency skills everyone should know (but hopefully will never need!).
While wearing gloves, wiggle out the pieces of broken glass. If it doesn’t come out easily, you can put duct tape on the glass in a grid pattern. Then use a scraper to remove the putty or molding holding the glass pane in place. The duct tape grid lets you pull the entire pane out in one piece.
– Measure the window or door opening. – Cut plywood so it is larger than the window opening. – Cut a 2×4 board that is 12 inches longer than the window opening. For doors or large windows, you will need two 2×4 boards.
– Line up the plywood and 2×4. The 2×4 should extend over both sides of the plywood board. – Drill 3/8” holes (at least two) in the plywood and ½” holes in the 2×4.
– Put a large washer onto 3/8” carriage bolts. – Put the bolts through the holes in the plywood.
– While inside the building, grasp the end of the carriage bolt sticking out of the plywood board. Maneuver the plywood out of the window. – Still grasping the carriage bolts, hold the plywood against the exterior of the window or door.
– From the interior of the building, attach the 2×4 to the plywood. Do this by sliding the holes in the 2×4 over the carriage bolts. – Put a nut on the bolts and make sure it is very tight.