Hurricane Center - National Hurricane Information » Hurricane Shutters

Storm Windows

Hurricane Center — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:53:14 +0000

When we talk about storm windows, of course we don’t mean just regular storm windows, but rather, storm windows with hurricane window glass that is built to withstand hurricane winds.

The glass in these specialty storm windows is said to withstand not only hurricane winds, but flying debris as well. As you may have noticed in the description of some of the other types of hurricane protection shutters, they will often say that some types of shutters are used as an additional protective device for homes that have this special hurricane storm window. And this is true. The degree to which these storm windows will be resistant to flying debris will vary, and so you will want to make sure of the strength your window offers against such a situation.

These specialty storm windows, as you might image, are one of the most expensive options for your windows. As well, as you might imagine, it is easier to install them in the construction phase of building your home. If you are going to install them in an existing house, expect to pay even that much more for the extra labor.

All that said, storm windows for hurricane force winds obviously offer a lot of advantages once they are installed. The first is that they could eliminate the need for shutters altogether, as well as preparing your windows before a storm to get them storm-ready. The best of these storm windows is similar to windshield of a car with a layer of tough plastic slotted in between two layers of glass. In the case of flying debris, the object may strike and crack the glass on the outside, but then it meets the heavy-duty plastic layer in the middle, which stops the object and prevents the whole window from shattering.

The potential downsides include the cost, as mentioned before, as well as the fact that they must be installed by window contractor. If you are installing them on an existing home, in order to come into compliance with modern codes, new window frames will also need to be installed.

These specialty storm windows generally run from $35-$50 a square-foot (this includes the frames and the layered glass as you would see in a car’s windshield.

Storm Panels

Hurricane Center — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:47:45 +0000

Storm panels are corrugated steel or aluminum panels that go onto a track system or onto bolts around your windows and doors. Generally, each panel in the system overlaps with the one beside it. Of all the “permanent” storm shutter options, storm panels are the least expensive. Although “permanent,” storm panels are normally put away in storage when not in use. The “permanent” aspect of them refers to the tracks or bolts which they are attached to when making a house storm-ready.

Storm panels come in a number of styles. Below is a brief over view:

Strom Panels Style #1:

Using a track and bolt system, the panels are fit into tracks at the top of the window and then secured onto bolts below the window. Both the track and the bolts should be permanently installed.

Strom Panels Style #2:

This style is designed with c-shaped tracks that run both above and below your window or door. In this system, the bolts are not permanent and must be aligned with the holes found in the panels once they have been placed in their tracks.

Strom Panels Style #3:

This system consists of simply bolts and the panels. The bolts are installed around then edges of your windows and doors. When it is time to make the house storm-ready, you loosen the bolts, install the panels, and then tighten the bolts to secure them into place.

Some of the benefits of storm panels are that they are inexpensive; they are out of site when not installed for a storm, and they offer good protection. The biggest potential downsides to them are that they often take more than one person to install them; they can be time-consuming to install; they may not always line up exactly the way they’re supposed to, and they also require storage space when not in use.

Rolling Shutters

Hurricane Center — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:40:52 +0000

Rolling shutters are shutters that are affixed at the top of your windows and roll down when you want to make your home storm ready. Rolling shutters are one of the most popular forms of shutters used for hurricane proofing. There are a number of reasons for this. One is that they are easy to use once installed. They can be installed on an existing home or built in during construction. They can be “hidden” from view in most cases until they are rolled down. And some models come in a motorized version. We will run through all the pluses and minuses of rolling shutters below.

Benefits of Rolling Shutters

They can be installed on an existing home
Many types will be hidden from view until rolled down
Some models are electric
Some rolling shutter systems come with a central control
They come in a wide variety of sizes
One person can easily make a house storm-ready with rolling shutters
They can be used as a security defense if you leave your house unattended for long periods

Potential Drawbacks of Rolling Shutters

Rolling shutters tend to be more costly than other options
If you go for the electric version, you will need a back up battery system in case your electricity goes out
Custom shapes may be difficult to come by
Depending on your home/windows, some special installation techniques may be required

All in all, rolling shutters are one of the most popular choices because of their convenience and other added benefits. Although more costly in the beginning, they are worth their price to many. Rolling shutters typically run from 30-$55 per square foot.

Colonial Shutters

Hurricane Center — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:59:23 +0000

Colonial shutters are perhaps what we think of most when we think of “shutters.” Colonial shutters sit affixed to either side of a window and fold together as a double door would to cover the window. Of course some houses may have “fake” colonial shutters that don’t actually fold over the window, but what we need to consider are actual, working shutters.

Benefits of Colonial Shutters

Relatively easy to install
Once installed, colonial shutters are always there and ready to go
Colonial shutters make it easy for even a single person to prepare for an oncoming storm
They can add addition protection for window glass that is hurricane proof but which could still be broken by flying debris
Some models can also be used for security if you leave your home unoccupied for long periods of time
Can also be used for practical purposes in non-storm conditions such as when you’d like to control the amount of sunlight you want; can be used for privacy as well
Colonial shutters often add a very pleasing decorative touch to a home, and they can come with a variety of architectural flourishes such as arches, curved tops, etc.

Potential Drawbacks of Colonial Shutters

If colonial shutters were not installed on your home in the construction phase, you may run into a situation where you don’t have the space needed on either side of your windows
Some models may require an extra bar in order to lock the shutters in place

To summarize, colonial shutters are often a popular choice for those who are looking not only for protection, but architectural styling as well. In addition, they can also serve other practical purposes such as controlling the amount of light let into a room or adding a barrier for privacy. Colonial shutters generally run about $18-$30 per square foot.

Bahama Shutters

Hurricane Center — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:18:58 +0000

Bahama shutters are one-piece shutters that typically are affixed at the top of the window and then is propped open from the bottom. Typically these types of shutters are found in tropical areas where the sunlight is strong and a more or less consisten shading device is desired.

Benefits of Bahama Shutters

Fairly easy installation
After installation, Bahama shutters easy to make storm-ready
One person could easily secure Bahama shutters into place for an encroaching hurricane
Like colonial shutters, some who have hurricane proof glass also use them for added protection from flying debris, which could break the glass
Bahama shutters are a good option if you need lots of protection from the sun and bright light
Bahama shutters are unique and add a distinctive architectural flair to a home

Potential Drawbacks of Bahama Shutters

In the past, Bahama shutters have been one of the weaker options for hurricane protection, however new models are now more secure
For some, Bahama shutters may not be flexible enough to let in enough light on a day to day basis
There is no solution for protecting doors with this type of shutter

To summarize, Bahama shutters offer a very distinctive architectural flair, however they may not be practical enough for everyone. Due to such limitations, some people choose Bahama shutters on a limited number of windows, such as their dormer windows. Bahama shutters typically cost anywhere from $18-$30 per square foot

Accordion Shutters

Hurricane Center — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:12:17 +0000

Accordion shutters typically come in one or two pieces. As their name indicates, they unfold accordion-like from either one or both sides of the window. Accordion shutters, like every other kind of shutters, have both their positive points and their drawbacks. We will go over these aspects below.

Benefits of Accordion Shutters

Strong and secure
They reside permanently at the sides of the window and so don’t need to be installed and uninstalled each hurricane season
They are perfect for hard to fit curved windows – one of the fewest possible solutions for these windows
Easy to prepare for a coming storm – simply pull them across the windows and you’re done
Accordion shutters typically come in a wide range of sizes
It is possible to get them with concealed floor tracks if you install them across doorways
Can also be used as a security measure if your model has the ability to be locked. This can be handy if the home you are protecting is a place that is left empty for large periods of time.
If your window allows, accordion shutters can be operated from inside the house

Potential Drawbacks of Accordion Shutters

Depending on the style of your home, accordion shutters may stick out and appear unsightly
Generally accordion shutters are not built into the home when it is constructed
The space where the shutters fold into will cut off window space if your house and your shutters dictate that they be set up that way (some newer models limit this drawback, however)
Because the shutters require a tracking system in order to roll back and forth, this can become difficult to work with over time if it is not kept up (think of the problems you might experience with a sliding glass door).

To summarize, accordion shutters are a good, secure solution that are quick and easy to operate once installed. Preparing for a hurricane with accordion shutters is perhaps the fastest method of “shuttering” up your home before a storm. The only true drawback may be their appearance, but even this will vary according to the style of your home. Hurricane accordion shutters run approximately $16-$20 per square foot.