Hurricane Shutters
Window storm shutters
Over the past few years, due primarily to climate change, hurricane occurrences have been increasing in the southwestern United States and the Caribbean. This has resulted in a vast number of houses and towns being destroyed, most notably New Orleans, where a number of districts, including the French Quarter, were completely ruined by flooding, high winds and falling trees. Proper hurricane safety is essential when a storm has been forecasted for your area – the amount of damage that can be done is astronomical, and you and your family need to be prepared.
Hurricane shutters protect your home and its windows from high winds and other damaging elements during a storm. The shutters close over the windows, protect them from breakage and protecting your home from the intrusion of rain and wind, which can cause further damage. All homes in highly susceptible areas should be equipped with these shutters for hurricane protection.
Before installing your storm shutters, consider your needs. Your shutters should be affordable, durable and built to last. You should also be able to close them quickly and easily in the path of an oncoming storm. Accordion storm shutters draw easily across your windows with little effort or cranking. These are a good option for the disabled or elderly, or anyone who may have a hard time closing shutters quickly.
The least expensive type of storm window protection is likely plywood shutters, but they aren't very easy to open or close, nor are they likely to last for more than a few hurricane seasons. The best compromise between expensive accordion or plywood shutters is steel hurricane shutters, since they are both durable and easy to roll over windows. If you have money to spend, an electronic roll-down shutter is an excellent choice from a design perspective. These shutters come in different styles (colonial shutters, for example) to better match the style of your home.
Rather than hurricane shutters, some people use storm windows or hurricane screens, but these are not always effective against high winds. The least effective practice is taping windows before a storm, which is virtually useless. Not only is it difficult to remove the tape when hurricane season is over, high winds can still break the glass and the tape does little to contain it.
Durable hurricane shutters are an important part of any home's hurricane protection plan. The stronger they are, the better your chances are of surviving hurricanes with your home and family intact.
Why Are Hurricane Shutters Essential for Home Protection?
- Hurricane shutters protect your windows against breakage from high winds.
- They also prevent rain and wind from entering your home and causing more damage.
Things to Consider When Choosing Hurricane Shutters
- How much are you willing to spend?
- Will your shutter choice be compatible with your physical abilities during a storm?
- Do you want your shutters to match your home's décor or simply be temporary during hurricane season?
Top Hurricane Shutter Brands
- PanelMate hurricane shutters
- TapconSG hurricane shutters
