HURRICANE PROOF - SHUTTERS

Hurricane Proof offers several high-quality variations in every category of shutter. The below matrix and and additional text that follows will help to narrow the selection of qualified shutter options. Combinations of shutter types are also common. Several color options are available for all of the options with the exception of the metal or plastic panels. The prices indicated throughout include installation.

Shutter Style (sorted by $)	Most common deployment	Cost	Speed to deploy	Manual or motorized	Architectural impact	Visibility	Pros  Cons
Rolldowns	Rolls down from housing & locks	High	Fastest	Either	Negative	Poor*	Speed of  deployment     Cost and appearance
Colonial	Hinges swing to center & lock	Medium to high	Fast	Manual	Positive	Varies*	Improves appearance    Cost and limited width
Bahama	Hinges swing down & lock	Medium to high	Fast	Manual	Positive & gives shade	Varies*	Appearance & shade     Window use only
Accordion	Folds into center & locks	Medium	Fast	Manual	Negative	Poor*	Speed of deployment    Negative appearance
Hurricane netting	Buckle, screw, wingnut or track	Medium	Medium	Manual	Minor (temporary)	Good	Great for patios & porches   Limited applications
Fabric shutters	Mounts directly, screw or wingnut	Medium	Slow	Manual	Minor (temporary)	Varies*	Light weight & easy storage   Slow installation & window can break
Storm screens	Frame mounts directly	Medium	Slow	Manual	Minor unless permanent	Good	Can be permanent     Limited to windows
Panels -  flat	Mounts directly or in tracks	Low	Slow	Manual	Minor (temporary)	Varies*	Low cost                       Storage & slow to deploy
Panels  -   corrugated**	Mounts directly or in tracks	Low	Slowest	Manual	Minor (temporary)	Varies*	Low cost                       Storage & slow to deploy

* Some manufacturers offer viewing perforations or clear panel options for Rolldowns, Colonials, Bahamas & Accordions. Fabric and plastic panel shutter options include clear for full viewing or translucent which permit light entry, but not visibility.  ** Panels corrugated include both plastic and metal (galvanized steel or aluminum).

Hurricane Shutter Options

Rolldown Shutters…Rolldown shutters are interlocked horizontal slats made from metal (usually aluminum) or plastic. The sides of the shutters travel along vertical guides fastened to the sides of the opening. They are deployed by rolling down the shutters and locking them at the bottom. Our shutters rollup onto an axle housed in a box above each window making them a permanent feature of the building. Depending on the design strength of the shutter, vertical reinforcing rods are required at designated widths to handle large openings.   At $30-$50 per square foot rolldowns are our most expensive shutters, but also the fastest and easiest to deploy. They also offer year round building security. Rolldowns are operated by hand crank or electric motor. If motorized, they can be operated, individually or in groups, by wall switch or remote control. Wind sensors are be available that automatically deploy motorized shutters when wind speeds exceed preset values. Rolldowns commonly block out most light. However, we have options that integrate perforated or clear plastic slats for light and visibility. There are various color options.
		Colonial Shutters…Our Colonial shutters are the hurricane-approved version of the old wooden shutter found on homes nationwide. The shutters are hinge-mounted to each side of the window or door. Wider openings can be covered by multiple panel systems (shutter over shutter) also attached to each other by hinge. Curved panels can be built to accommodate arched openings. During deployment the colonial shutters are swung into position over the openings and locked with either clips or storm bars.   The panels themselves are made of metal or fiberglass with either solid or louver (open) slats. If louver, the shutters require additional backplates made of metal or plastic. Perforated or clear panel plates permit light entry and visibility. We now offer a new line of Colonial shutters feature articulating (rotating) slats that can be closed and locked, eliminating the need for the added plates. Colonials are limited in the width of the opening for which they can be used, usually to eight feet. Prices range widely from $25 to $40 per square foot depending on the complexity of the design. While expensive, our Colonial shutters enhance the appearance of the building and can be used for windows or doors. Several colors are available.
Bahama Shutters… Our Bahama shutters are permanently attached over window openings only. They are comprised of horizontal metal slats encased in a rectangular frame fastened in hinge-fashion above the window. When not in use for protection, the shutters are held by horizontal arms at an outward angle permitting views from the spacing between the slats. They are deployed by unfastening the arms, rotating the shutter down to cover the window and locking them into place from either the inside or outside.   To provide sufficient wind and impact protection, our Bahama shutters have an integrated metal plates fastened to the inside of the shutter. These plates can be perforated to allow light and visibility. Articulating slats with locks are also available in our Bahama shutters.  Bahamas require more effort to install than rolldown or accordion shutters and are limited in the size and type of window openings for which they can be used. Prices range slightly less than Colonials at $25 to $35 per square foot. When not in use for protection, our Bahama shutters provide year round shade and typically enhance the appearance of the building. There are many color options.
		Accordion Shutters…Our accordion shutters are preinstalled and can be deployed quickly to cover even large window or door openings. The shutters are comprised of interlocking vertical blades (usually metal) which slide horizontally on tracks mounted above and below the opening. Each accordion is comprised of two sets of folding panels that join in the middle and lock when in use. When open, the blades fold outward into housings fastened to each side of the opening and held in place with push pins or velcro straps. Four color options exist.   Accordion shutters are most often secured from outside, but can be locked from the inside when used over sliding or inswinging doors and windows. This feature should be considered for 2nd-floor installations. Accordion shutters can have a significant impact on the architectural look of a building and usually block out most light, when in use. Some of our systems integrate perforated or clear plastic blades for light and visibility. Prices range from $15 to $30 per square foot.
Hurricane Netting… This is a variation of geo-synthetic screening for wind abatement. Our netting can be custom sized for various openings or comprised of standard panel sizes that are joined together. They can be direct mounted with anchored fasteners, attached with adjustable buckles or slid into preinstalled tracks. Metal or fiberglass reinforcements are often stitched into the edges. Nets are mostly commonly used for open patios and porches. They can also be used to cover door and window openings for both homes and businesses. Since the fabric deflects significantly from wind and airborne objects, our hurricane nets can be anchored to the ground in a lean-to like fashion well away from the door or window to prevent damage.   A primary consideration is the net's porosity, which can range from 3% to 50%. This references the size of the net's openings and the resulting degree of wind speed reduction the net produces. A low porosity net practically eliminates wind speed and reduces wind driven rain to a small mist. A high porosity net reduces the wind speed and potential water intrusion much less. However these higher porous nets are ideal for certain applications, due to lower cost and reduced strain on mounting fasteners. The mesh comes in various colors and some now have integrated acrylic fabric panels for color and UV protection. Many nets are rolled up and strapped in place during hurricane season. They are relatively lightweight, durable and easily folded for storage. Due to the wide variety of net options, prices can range from $5 to $25 per square foot.
		Fabric Shutters… Our fabric shutters are also a relatively new hurricane protection device made from well-established materials typically used for bulletproofing or stadium coverings. These woven fabrics include reinforcements such as PVC, fiberglass, aramid fiber and even stainless steel. Fabric panels are usually custom built for openings. The higher quality shutters have metal or fiberglass reinforcement bars stitched into the fastened edges. They are attached with grommets and predrilled fasteners. Deployment is relatively slow especially on higher floors, but can be done by almost anyone due to their light weight.  Like nets, our fabric panels are often rolled up and strapped throughout hurricane season, which helps speed deployment if necessary.   Fabrics are translucent, thereby allowing substantial light to enter the opening. They are lightweight, durable and easily rolled or folded for storage. As with all fabric systems, there is deflection from wind and airborne objects, which could allow breakage of covered doors and windows. Some of our fabric shutters include integrated acrylic panels for color and UV protection. One manufacturer offers a zipper feature that allows inside deployment for second story installations. Prices range from $12 to $20 per square foot.
Storm Screens (framed) … Our storm screens are a new and economical “wind abatement” option designed to reduce wind pressure as much as 97%. Metal frames and screens are custom built for openings, which can be temporarily or permanently attached to the building. This shutter allows light, visibility and even air to pass through the screen. Storm screen cannot be used for outward opening doors or windows such as casement windows unless it has a hinge opening feature. The screen can deflect from wind driven objects resulting in breakage to covered windows or doors. However, the storm screen is designed to continue to abate most of the wind, thereby reducing the risk of pressure build up in the structure. These panels require storage unless permanently attached.  Prices range from $15 to $25 per square foot.
		Flat panel … These are a relatively new alternative to one of the oldest protection devices, plywood sheets. Lightweight and strong panels are made from plastic or polycarbonate sheets. Some systems are direct mounted or use preinstalled fasteners or tracks. Other types include framing for mounting.  Some are translucent and others transparent. As with plywood, these temporary panels must be stored, but can last for decades. Installation is relatively slow and can be dangerous in wind conditions. However, the lightweight, strength, durability and transparency of these flat panels make them an attractive option. Architectural impact is also limited to the fasteners. Prices range from $7 to $15 per square foot.
Storm Panels…Our storm panels are typically fastened only during storm activity and must be stored away when not in use. There are now a wide array of panel materials including galvanized steel, aluminum, and plastics of various transparencies. Storm panels are corrugated for strength. While fastener spacing is becoming more standard, it is sometimes difficult to interchange different types or brands of storm panels. They are often custom cut vertically or horizontally for specific openings. This necessitates the labeling of storm panels and the development of a mounting diagram.  When not deployed, architectural impact is limited to the fasteners.   Panels can be mounted vertically or horizontally. They can be direct mounted with approved fasteners or attached through several metal track options. Storm panels do require substantial labor to install and are challenging to install if wind speeds are increasing. Our metal panels have folded and crimped sides to eliminate the dangerously sharp edges common to metal panels. Light entry is mostly eliminated with metal panels. Most notable in panel protection is the advancement of lightweight, yet strong and durable clear plastic panels. These are easier to install and allow visibility. Storm panels are the least expensive protection option at approximately $7 to $15 per square foot.