Protecting openings like doors and windows is one of the key elements of making a building resistant to high wind. That's why modern codes in hurricane country require impact-resistant glazing on doors and windows — or, alternatively, storm shutters. Protecting older houses built before those requirements entered the codes, however, is a challenge, especially if the house has big expanses of vulnerable openings, or exposed structures like a sheltered patio or a pool lanai. One interesting solution is installing hurricane fabric — tough, woven polypropylene developed for geotextile applications that has enough strength to stop high wind and flying debris. Several companies offer the product, along with technical support on mounting and installing the material. One early entry is a product called Armor Screen. Here's our old buddy Bob Vila taking a look at Armor Screen being installed on a Florida home project. And here's a YouTube video showing the screen taking multiple hits from a flying two-by-four in testing for large-missile impact resistance. Another company with an informative website is Hurricane Fabric. Check out this video from the 2007 landfall of Super Typhoon Krosa in Japan. With 120-mph gusts outside, one of Hurricane Fabric's Japan techs sits calmly on the screened patio in a T-shirt, with a candle burning and potted plants resting peacefully nearby in their pots. As the video demonstrates, fabric protection has the advantage of admitting breathable air and visible light, without letting in heavy rain or wind. Judge for yourself — Coastal Connection can't verify any of these product claims or comment on the installation details. But at first glance, hurricane protection fabric certainly appears to be an interesting alternative.