Storm panels are usually made of aluminum or in some cases polycarbonate that is see-through. The advantage with these panels is that they are removable and don’t take a lot of space to stack. These panels are easy to set-up but the process can be a little time consuming. There is no doubt about the durability and protection abilities of storm panel hurricane shutters if they are certified by the building code authorities of your state.
These shutters are usually fixed on tracks or can be directly screwed on to the ground. You can install these panels as a DIY exercise. Take care to install the tracks properly and while aligning individual storm panels. You have a choice between vertical and horizontal installation depending upon the kind of space [with or without obstructions] that needs covering. Once placed, you can forget about them for the duration of the hurricane season. Of course, unlike accordion shutters these panels cannot collapse on to one another and for this reason they are not suitable for doors used for ingress and egress.
These panels are versatile enough to be retrofitted. If you choose polycarbonate resin panels you get rustproof and shatterproof protection that allows you a view. These are suitable for windows on first and second floors; however, keep in mind that these panels can be operated only from the outside. Efficiency and effectiveness are the criteria with these panels, not aesthetics. The window area and its sides have to be clear of obstructions for proper installation of these panels.
Clear hurricane shutter panels offer useful protection when the storm season arrives. Made from extruded polycarbonate, these panels retain their shape when stressed and also enable clear viewing. These shutters come with a warranty against yellowing, breaking, and offer good light transmission. The period of warranty may vary with the manufacturer. A single panel that is extremely light in weight can cover windows of width of up to 88″. These panels are great for businesses as they offer storm protection and a view.
You can display items on the windows and also keep the entrances and exits protected. Customers will walk in knowing that the business is open. The clear shutters can incorporate accordion, colonial, and Bahama shutter designs bringing to you the advantages of each type. These panels are priced as per square foot and can be retrofitted with ease. Go for clear hurricane shutter panels that are approved, for example in Florida, these should be approved by the Florida and Miami Dade Council.
At the end of the day, these are storm panels and as a type they are the cheapest hurricane protection out there. Imagine, having a second or third floor property having its view blocked by hurricane shutters and contrast it with what these clear panels can do for you.
Cold winter weather is on the way, and you’ve begun the process of preparing your home for the winter months ahead. You’ve done all the winterizing chores that you do every year; you’ve caulked around windows and doors, you’ve weather-stripped, you’ve cut back trees and branches that might fall on your home, and you’ve made sure that your pipes are wrapped against the cold so that they don’t freeze.
But there’s something you can do to protect your home during the winter’s ice and snow storms that you probably haven’t through of: You can install storm shutters. How can storm shutters protect my home during winter storms, you say?
Storm Shutters keep your home safe during winter storms by:
Reducing heat loss inside the home – storm shutters are another barrier against the cold outside, and another layer of protection against heat loss. You lose more heat through cracks around windows and doors – no matter how well you caulk and insulate – than in any other part of your home. Storm shutters reduce this loss, keep your home warmer, and protect you against the freezing weather. If the power goes out during a storm, storm shutters keep the heat trapped in your home for a much longer time, keeping you warm and cozy until the storm subsides and the power comes back on.
Protecting your windows against missile impacts thrown by high winds, or by falling trees or branches laden with snow. Storm shutters are used in hurricanes and tropical storms, and are missile impact tested. Falling branches and debris thrown by the storm is no match for them. One of the worst things that can happen during a winter storm is something coming through your window. Can you imagine fixing the hole, or trying to get a repairman to your house during a winter blizzard? Shutters can take this worry from your mind.
Saving you money on your home insurance: Many insurance companies will give you a break on your policy if you add storm shutters to your home. They make your home much more secure, reducing the risk of damage during winter storms, and so insurance companies have a lower risk of payout. This leads to savings for you. Check with your insurance company to see how much your payment will go down if you add storm shutters to your home.
Winter storm shutters are a good idea for any home, and especially if you live in an area where severe storms or blizzards are common during the winter months. Adding them to your home reduces the risk of damage during a storm, and can only help to protect your home from the effects of a winter storm.
You’ve done everything that you can do to winterize your home and get ready for those winter storms: You’ve weather-stripped doors, you’ve caulked windows, you’ve trimmed back trees and dead limbs, and you’ve even wrapped your pipes to make sure nothing freezes during those winter blizzards. Now you want to put storm shutters on your windows to protect your home even further. But where do you find winter storm shutters?
Winter storm shutters are the same shutters that are used to protect homes during hurricanes and tropical storms. They cover your windows and doors and keep you safe from the high winds, ice, and heavy snow of winter, just as they would protect you during rainstorms and high winds during the warmer months of the year.
Storm shutters are wind-rated and impact missile tested, and this is to your benefit during a winter blizzard just as it would be during a hurricane. During blizzards, wind gusts can reach hurricane force, and objects thrown by the storm are just as damaging as they would be during any other storm. When a winter storm is imminent, storm shutters can be closed in a matter of minutes and the safety of your home is accomplished quickly and with minimal effort.
There are some added advantages to winter storm shutters as well; heat loss is kept to a minimum when they are installed on your home. No matter how well you caulk and insulate, there is always going to be some air-flow around the windows. Storm shutters are an added barrier against the cold weather, and additional barriers equal less heat loss. This lowers your utility bills (always a plus) and makes heating your home more efficient.
Any company that sells hurricane shutters can install winter storm shutters on your home. Make sure to choose a reputable company; research them thoroughly, and read the reviews on their sites and elsewhere. There are many to choose from; storm shutters come in a variety of styles and colors, and can be custom-fit to any window or door, no matter the size or odd shape.
If you are searching for winter storm shutters to install on your home before that first big blizzard comes, look for a company that sells hurricane shutters, even if you don’t live on the coast or in an area that gets tropical storms. These companies service any area, and they know that storm shutters can be useful during winter blizzards as well as storms during warmer weather. Install storm shutters on your home before that next big blizzard hits you, and keep you and your home safe from the storm.
Winter’s rolling in quickly, and bad weather is on the way. It’s cold outside, and you’re preparing your home for the harsh winter weather. You’ve caulked and insulated, trimmed tree limbs, weather-stripped doors and even wrapped pipes in anticipation of freezing cold – what else is there to do?
There is something you can do to protect your home from winter weather that probably has never crossed your mind: Install winter storm shutters on your home. The benefits of winter storm shutters far outweigh the initial costs of adding them to your home.
Stop heat loss on your home: Windows and doors are the major places that you lose the warm air inside your home. No matter how well you’ve prepared them, you’re still going to lose heat and drive up your utility bills. Adding winter storm shutters reduces this loss, saving you money and keeping you warm and cozy during those long, cold winter months. And if the power goes out during a storm, storm shutters keep the heat trapped in your home for a much longer time, reducing the risk of freezing pipes and freezing people.
Reduce the risk of broken windows during snow and ice storms: Snow and ice are heavy, and when you have a large accumulation, trees can come down and the wind can blow objects at high speed into your home. Protecting your windows with storm shutters can keep breakage to a minimum. The last thing you want during freezing temperatures is a big hole for the wind to come whipping through, and who wants to try and patch that hole during freezing weather? Winter storm shutters can be closed around your home in a matter of minutes, protecting your home from damage.
Save money on your home insurance: Many insurance companies will give you a break on your policy if you add storm shutters to your home. It makes your home much more secure, reducing the risk of damage during winter storms, and insurance companies recognize that they have a lower risk of payout. This can lead to lower premiums every month. Make sure to check with your insurance company to see how much your payment will go down if you add storm shutters to your home.
During winter storms, one of the best protections for your home is storm shutters. They stop heat loss, reduce the risk of broken windows from falling trees and high impact missiles blown by storm winds, and can even save you money on your home insurance. Add storm shutters today, and protect your home during the cold winter weather. You’ll thank yourself when you stay warm, safe, and dry during those long, freezing winter months.
Winter storms can be dangerous and harmful to your home if you not prepared for them. When the temperatures begin to fall, it’s time to think about getting your home ready for bad weather. Winterizing your home was probably (or should have been) done in the fall, with things like checking the insulation in your walls and attics, and caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows. You might want to insulate your pipes as well to keep them from freezing during the cold weather. There are many things that you can do to prepare your home for winter weather, and there’s one you probably haven’t thought of: Storm shutters. Storm shutters aren’t just for hurricanes and tropical storms; they can protect you and your home during harsh winter weather, as well.
Some shutters are permanently installed, while others are made just for a single use. If you live in a place that regularly gets winter storms, it is best to install permanent shutters so that you can easily close them to protect your home when bad weather threatens. Looks and cost are the major differences between permanent and temporary shutters; Permanent shutters are much more attractive on your home than the temporary kind, and provide you with much better protection. The initial cost is more but can save you money in the long run, and you may even be able to get a break on your home insurance premiums, so make sure to check with your insurance company when installing. Before installing any type of storm shutters, however, make sure to check with your city’s planning department about building code requirements, and to obtain any needed permits.
Storm shutters on your home keep your windows much more insulated against the cold weather, and will keep heat loss to a minimum. Also, when the winter wind whips through and snow and ice begin to fall from the sky, storm shutters keep out the bad weather and protect your windows and doors from damage.
Trees or tree limbs falling under the weight of ice and snow are always a hazard during winter as well, and storm shutters can keep your windows from shattering when this happens. There’s nothing worse during a winter storm than the cold rushing into your home from a broken window or door, and installing storm shutters can keep you, your family, and your home safe and warm during the cold, cold winter.
Virginia Beach is a city located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Virginia Beach is the most inhabited city in Virginia. It’s a humid, sub-tropical area, with mild winters and wet summers. Because of its location, it is vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was the costliest disaster in the history of Virginia. Hurricane force wind gusts were recorded at a high of 107 mph, and Isabel caused significant beach erosion and home damage before she was finished.
And Isabel is not the only hurricane to damage Virginia Beach:
Hurricane Charley’s center passed over southeast Virginia Beach. Winds were recorded at 104 mph and over 110,000 homes were without power.
Hurricane Bonnie knocked out power to 320,000 customers in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area. Structural damage to buildings occurred. The heavy rain and storm surge produced street flooding in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. Total storm damages in Virginia reached $24 million.
Hurricane Floyd crossed Virginia Beach, and rainfall was up to 20 inches in some parts of Virginia. More than 300 roads were closed in the peak of the storm from flooding and downed trees.
It is obvious that homes in the Virginia Beach area need storm protection, and hurricane shutters are one of the ways that you can protect your home. Hurricane shutters protect you from missile impacts that occur at high speeds during a storm, keep pressure changes from occurring quickly inside your home and actually ripping holes in the structure, and keep out wind and driving rain. And out of all the hurricane shutters available on the market today, rolling shutters are the top-of-the-line.
Roll-down shutters are the ultimate in home protection, and can be closed in a matter of moments when a storm is imminent. Rolling shutters cover your windows and doors with a simple touch of a button, and if there is no power (during Hurricane Isabel, a total of 1.8 million electrical customers were left without power) there is a manual option to roll them down. Whether the power is on or not, roll down shutters have got you covered. They remain on your home year-round, so there is no putting up and taking down when storms come and go, and they are both convenient and unobtrusive. They can be matched to your home’s color scheme as well, making them an attractive and smart addition to your home.
No matter what kind of hurricane shutters that you choose, if you live in the Virginia Beach area, they are necessary to protect you from the effects of the storm. Protect your home, and install hurricane shutters today.
New Brunswick is one of Canada’s three Maritime provinces. It has a significant seacoast, and is the gateway to Atlantic Canada. Tourism is a big part of the economy, and whale-watching is a huge draw. Because the Bay of Fundy in southwestern New Brunswick is such a rich feeding ground, it is one of the world’s most accessible sites for viewing these gentle, giant mammals.
It’s also prone to storms and hurricanes. Just recently, in fact, a storm knocked out power to tens of thousands of residents across Atlantic Canada. Nearly 45,000 homes and businesses lost power at the height of the storm. The area was hammered by winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, and extensive flooding was caused by a storm surge that created high tides and large waves. Parts of New Brunswick declared a state of emergency after homes, businesses and cottages were flooded, and the surge pushed water levels far above normal.
Meteorologists and other weather experts agree that coastal areas of the United States and Canada may be facing serious hurricane activity for the next 15 to 20 years. That means a vicious cycle of destruction and cleanup for those living along the coast. Smart homeowners are installing storm shutters on their homes.
Impact-resistant windows and doors offer some protection from flying debris, but they cost a lot more than shutter. They can cost up to three times more than storm shutters. Storm shutters also offer protection from debris during a hurricane, but they also protect against water infiltration and keep pressure changes from ripping off your roof or tearing apart walls.
You can use a combination of shutter systems to meet your unique needs. Each product has its own benefits. Each type of hurricane shutter has a different strength, aesthetic, and ease of use, and provide additional benefits such as energy savings, sun control, and home security.
Types of shutters you may use to protect your home:
Bahama Shutters – attach at the top of windows and provide shade when not closed and protecting your home.
Roll-down shutters – most conveniently close at the touch of a button and when not in use are practically unnoticeable.
Accordion shutters – attach at the sides and fold out accordion-style when you need to make your home storm ready.
Colonial shutters – very old-world type of shutter, popular in the Southern United States. A two-part shutter that attaches in the middle.
No matter what type of hurricane shutter that you choose, if you live in New Brunswick you should have your home fitted with them. Hurricane shutters not only offer protection from debris thrown by the storm, they also protect your home from water damage and pressure changes common during hurricanes and tropical storms.
New England has a lot of coastal area, and that makes it vulnerable to storms. The New England coast is often hit by hurricanes and tropical storms. Flooding is common from both storm surge and inland rivers, and wind damage can be considerable. There are ways, however, to protect your home and property. Good preparation is key, and with a little work you can greatly increase the likelihood of safety for your home and family.
You should have a written plan and everyone in your family should be familiar with it. Find out if your home lies in an evacuation area, or if your property is vulnerable to storm surge, flooding, or wind damage.
At the beginning of hurricane season, check the hurricane and disaster supplies in your kit. You should replace the batteries in this kit periodically, and rotate out the food as well. You don’t want dead batteries and spoiled food when it’s critical to have these supplies.
Monitor the hurricanes forming in the tropics, either online or through a weather channel.
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio on a regular basis, and definitely turn it on when a storm threatens. It’s the official source for real-time weather information and warnings. Listen to local broadcasts when a storm is imminent, as well.
Fit your home with some kind of storm shutters. They are a major part of a home protection plan.
If you live in coastal New England, your insurance and wind deductibles will most likely be reduced by installing storm shutters. You should check with your insurance agent to find out what savings are available. Hurricane shutters are a barrier against the elements, and protect you from wind damage, pressure changes, and debris flung by the high winds. Also, they provide protection against the tornadoes that often come in the outer bands of hurricanes. Hurricane shutters can save you money on your energy bill in the summer, as well. In the closed position, they darken your home and help prevent air leaks, keeping your home cooler and cutting down on your air conditioning use.
Whether what’s coming is a hurricane, a tropical storm, a noreaster, or you just want to install them to protect your place of business, storm shutters are a necessity in New England. Storm and hurricane shutters and panels can save you money, protect your home, and give you the peace of mind that you need when you know a storm is coming. Storm shutters are a smart investment, and you should install them today.
Mobile, Alabama is the third most populous city in the Southern United States, and it is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its proximity to the warm gulf waters, Mobile’s climate is mild and subtropical, with an annual temperature of 68 degrees. It is often affected by major storms and hurricanes, also because of the close waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1969, Hurricane Camille flooded part of the city, even though it hit well to the west. Ten years later, Mobile sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Frederick, and Hurricane Ivan devastated the city in 2004, causing heavy damage with its 130 mph winds.
Smart homeowners in Mobile put hurricane shutters on their windows and doors. The most important thing you can do to protect your home during a storm is cover the places where wind and rain can enter, and hurricane shutters are the best way to do this. While some homeowners have in the past used temporary solutions, this is not recommended by experts. Hurricane shutters are rated for missile impact resistance, and can withstand high winds. They also keep the major pressure changes of the hurricane from damaging your home. Pressure changes inside the home, when not regulated by a window covering, can actually rip off roofs and tear walls down.
Hurricane shutters come in a variety of styles and prices, and can be matched to your home, both with their color and their style. There are different price points, as well, and knowing your options can help you make the wisest choice. The most popular types of hurricane shutters are:
Roll-down shutters – These are the most convenient type of shutter, because their one-touch roll-down closes your shutters quickly in the face of the storm, with no messing with latches. They also come with a manual crank to use in case of power outages.
Bahama shutters – Bahama shutters have an island feel and style, and attach to the top of windows. When cranked out, they provide your house with shade and air flow, and in the closed position, give you protection from the storm.
Accordion shutters – Accordion shutters attach to the side of windows and roll out accordion style when in use. They fold up completely when not needed.
Colonial shutters – A popular style in the South, Colonial shutters are a beautiful addition to your home. They affix to the sides of windows and close easily when a storm is imminent.
No matter what type of hurricane shutter that you decide upon, they are a necessity for home protection if you live in a hurricane zone. In places like Mobile, they protect your home from the high winds, pressure changes, and wind-borne debris that hurricanes and tropical storms bring with them.
