Hurricane Shutters

Hurricane season is oftentimes a period of hassle, worry, and even panic and grief. Even if a hurricane does not in fact strike close by, we are pained when family members or friends are affected by hurricanes or any other natural disasters. The usual concern of most families is whether or not every safety precaution possible has been taken. First-aid kits, evacuation routes, and a surplus of food is normally taken care of first. What most people fail to realize is that if they live in an area that is often visited by hurricanes, purchasing hurricane shutters can eliminate many of the problems that they might encounter ahead of time.

Hurricane shutters, which are available in a number of different styles, are used to help protect homes and sometimes other buildings from the damage usually caused by storms. Screws, a track system, or hurricane clips are used to attach hurricane shutters to the outside of homes. More advanced hurricane shutters can be motorized and hidden when not in used.

There are three main materials hurricane shutters, sometimes known as panel systems, are made from. The most common materials are plywood, metal (aluminum or steel), or polycarbonate plastic. A fourth type of panel, known as a Lexan panel, is flat, transparent, and sometimes made in a corrugated shape to be more effective in terms of resisting impact.

The first two types of hurricane shutters are Colonial shutters and Bahama shutters. Colonial shutters are made of aluminum. They are attached to the side of windows and swing shut to protect openings. Bahama shutters are attached to the top of the window and come down to protect the window. When they are not in use, they create shade for the window.

An accordion style shutter is another type of hurricane shutter that slides on a track horizontally and is made of vertical blades that interlock. It works much like a sliding patio door, and is often used in that exact situation, to protect glass patio doors from wind and debris.

A fourth type of shutter is called a rolling shutter. It is made up of a series of horizontal slats, which make a curtain-like panel that fits over doors or windows. Guide rails hold both sides of the curtain, which is then rolled up or down as needed, much like a roller window blind. The rolling shutter can be operated by gear or pull strap, both of which manual, or it can be motorized and work by a remote or switch. If power is lost to the motor during a storm, the shutters can still be operated with a hand crank.

The next decision that has to be made when purchasing hurricane shutters is which type of shutter is best and most affordable. Each different type of hurricane shutter has pros and cons when dealing with them.

The least expensive option for hurricane shutters are simple storm panels that fit over doors and windows. They are very durable, so they provide excellent protection for your home or condo. Also, they are removable, so one does not have to worry about the "bulky look" on their home. On the other hand, storm panels are not custom made so it's possible that they won't fit exactly right. They can also be difficult to deal with and hanging them up usually requires more than one person. The cost is usually about $7 to $8 per square foot, and hanging them up usually takes about fifteen to twenty minutes per window.

Colonial hurricane shutters have a nice appearance, so they offer protection for homes and also improve the overall look. They can also be made ready for usage very easily with only one person. Colonial shutters are permanent, so they do not require any type of storage in the off-season. At the same time, they cannot be used to protect doors - they only fit over windows, so additional shutters would be needed for full home protection. Colonial shutters take about one hour to install per window and the cost ranges from $18 to $30 dollars per square foot.

The advantages to owning Bahama hurricane shutters are much the same as for owning Colonial shutters, but they are somewhat weaker than other options. The newer models, though much improved, still lack some of the strength of other shutter systems. Similar to Colonial shutters, Bahamas shutters cannot be used to protect doors, and they can sometimes block the view through the window they are installed on. They usually cost the same as Colonial hurricane shutters, and installation takes roughly thirty minutes per window.

Accordion style hurricane shutters are generally the best choice for protecting doors (and even some larger windows) from damage in storms. In addition to their strength and protection in bad weather, they can also be locked with a key and used to help protect your home or condo against theft. On the negative side, they are a bit bulky and are a permanent fixture on the outside of your home, which may detract from the decor. Accordion style shutters cost from $16 to $20 dollars per square foot, and installation takes fifteen to thirty minutes per shutter.

No matter where you decide to purchase your hurricane shutters from, or what style you end up going with, it's important to make sure to purchase quality products from a reputable manufacturer. In addition, if you are a bit hesitant about about your handyman skills, it might be wise to pay a professional to install them. It won't do you any good to buy a great shutter if it isn't attached to your house or window correctly.

For information on more home and garden topics, check out the links to my other Hubs below.

• Buying baby blankets
• Electric heaters guide
  
• Decorating with wooden venetian blinds
• Using wood shutters to decorate your home