It’s important to protect your doors and windows when it comes to flying debris and winds from hurricanes. Both hurricane screens and hurricane shutters can be great options to protect the more vulnerable parts of your home from storms. Discover some top factors from the experts to keep in mind when choosing between the two.
What Are Hurricane Screens?
Hurricane screens are made to withstand flying debris and strong winds that are coming at your home. They can be a great addition to your windows and offer more than you might expect. If you have bigger openings, such as terraces or lanais, they can be a good option and are often a great choice for shops. Hurricane screens can withstand winds that are up to 276 miles per hour.
Hurricane fabric panels are high-tech fabric screens that are strong enough to protect your home against rain and wind and can help bounce away any storm debris. Hurricane fabric can be installed in different ways. Some varieties of the fabric stretch over the windows, like the fabric of a trampoline, and are installed in place before a storm with either straps and buckles or a system of grommets. Some types of fabric are permanently installed on the side of the building and slide into place or roll down over the windows. An additional feature of hurricane screens is that your visibility is not completely blocked as it would be with hurricane shutters.
What to Look for in Hurricane Screens
If you are choosing hurricane screens for your home, you want to make sure that they are code-certified, and wind-pressure tested up to 276 MPH. It’s important to make sure, no matter what screens you choose, that they are professionally installed by expert professionals such as Home Safety Solutions since our professionals will know what type of anchoring system is right to use for your home. Our professionals can help recommend the perfect hurricane screen system for your home or space in order to have the most effective solution for optimal protection.
Benefits of Hurricane Screens
There are several benefits to choosing hurricane screens. Screens reduce serious damages and injury to your property and family members. They are energy efficient and help protect your home from U/V rays. They also improve home security and your property value. Hurricane screens are installed and left in place year-round so you will always have protection in the event of a sudden storm.
What Are Hurricane Shutters?
Hurricane shutters are specially designed shutters to protect doors and windows when there is a hurricane. The design also has some strong fixings that stop the shutter from being torn off in hurricane-force winds and a durable structure that withstands possible debris. In places where hurricanes are common, some local governments recommend that homeowners use shutters in order to protect their property.
Types of Hurricane Shutters
There are different types of shutters to choose from for your home.
Storm panels are usually plastic or metal panels that you get custom-cut to fit on the windows. Even though they are referred to as shutters, they are more similar to plywood since they’re single pieces of material that you put over the window before a storm hits.
Accordion shutters are hurricane shutters that roll horizontally over the window in order to provide protection. They can either be a one-piece or two-piece system that is then permanently mounted beside the window and when a storm approaches they glide sideways with wheels for ease of deployment.
Rolling shutters are installed above the windows and roll down vertically over the window with a hand crank or a button. They are the most popular and effective type of hurricane shutter because they are easy to use and provide a high level of protection.
Colonial and Bermuda shutters are two-piece systems that are mounted on either side of your window and then get flipped over the windows and locked in place in order to provide you protection against storm damage. Bahama shutters are similar to these systems but instead, these are part of a one-piece system that gets installed above the window and then propped open when you aren’t using them. If there is a hurricane on the way then they get lowered and locked in place to protect your glass.
What to Look for in Hurricane Shutters
Just like with screens, you want to make sure your hurricane shutters are code-approved and have been tested to withstand high winds. You should search for a product that is U/V resistant so that it doesn’t break down in the heat and can block out at least 99% of the rain. It’s always a good idea to find a product that is easy to store and one you feel comfortable deploying when a storm is on its way. It is advised that hurricane shutters are always professionally installed just like screens to make sure that they provide the most effective protection.
Benefits of Hurricane Shutters
Just like screens, shutters can protect your family from injury and your home from damage. They also provide light control. Additionally, you may be able to get a discount on your home insurance when you use hurricane shutters, and they can appeal to home buyers and increase property values.
Should You Choose Hurricane Shutters or Hurricane Screens?
There are different factors that can go into your choice for hurricane screens or hurricane shutters. It will depend on your home architecture, budget, and requirements for security. If you are looking for a more affordable option, then hurricane screens might provide that for you. If you are hoping to find a solution that will give you a discount on your home insurance, then shutters can be the right choice for you.
If you have other requirements for protection, such as protecting from noise and letting sunlight into your home, then hurricane screens are the right choice. Screens can let in more sunlight, which can be important so that you don’t have to live in darkness during the storm.
Contact Home Safety Solutions
No matter if you are choosing hurricane screens or hurricane shutters, having protection is imperative before the next storm hits. While some people choose to board up their space with plywood, plywood is not an effective long-term solution and hasn’t been tested for wind speeds. The experts at Home Safety Solutions are here to help you choose the right system for your needs and provide you with what you need to protect your residence. Contact us today!