Hurricane Shutters: Protection From the Storm

If you live in an area prone to dangerous storms, you need to have hurricane shutters on your windows. It’s not a matter of if, but rather a matter of when a storm will come through bad enough to wreak serious damage to your property. Does everyone who lives in Florida or other storm-prone areas eventually suffer property damage at the hands of one of these storms? No, many people are lucky enough to live out their entire lives while dealing with no more than scattered debris on their lawns. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared.

If you live in a stormy location, chances are you won’t have to look too far to find hurricane shutters for sale. The key is to find the ones that will do the best job of protecting your windows in case the big one hits. Finding effective protection doesn’t always mean spending the most money—although there is a certain degree of correlation. Some homeowners are even foregoing the shutters in favor of special strengthened glass. The most economical and efficient choice is still shutters, however, so it’s time to think about which kind you want.

Storm panel are probably the most common kind of hurricane shutters for sale. Made from either steel or aluminum, they attach directly to a wall surrounding your windows and can either swing shut in front of the glass or slide into place when needed. If you’ve moved into a house with these already installed, take a day and inspect what you’ve got. Too many homeowners make the mistake of simply assuming they are good to go in case of a storm. This isn’t always the case. Make sure you don’t have any missing panels that could cause a great deal of consternation when the next big storm is on the horizon. Many homeowners like this type because of the price and because the panels can be removed.

Accordion hurricane shutters are another popular style that can provide you with an added layer of protection in case of high winds and flying debris. Instead of being taken down and stored elsewhere when no storm is coming, they can simply be opened. This is a big advantage for homeowners who don’t want to take their panels down and put them up before and after every major storm. Of course, this also goes to the disadvantages. On some houses, they look just like they should belong. On others, they seem like cheap, plastered pieces of metal or wood. You may wish to take appearances into consideration before making a decision.

Of course, these are just a couple of the many choices you have when it comes to hurricane shutters. The important thing isn’t necessarily which style you choose, but only that you choose before the next storm hits.