January 16th, 2012
Accordion shutters are made of extruded aluminum and offer certain advantages unique to this type of hurricane protection product. For example they can be placed around curved surfaces and can be used for any height. You can operate them from inside or outside. They can be secured from inside and can easily be retrofitted to a construction.
These shutters are not removable and they stay in place once fitted. The advantages that these shutters bring, the materials used, and labor are factors that influence the cost of hurricane shutters. The shutters are sold on a per square foot basis. So you need to first get the area right. The cost of the shutter per opening into the number of same openings will give you the total cost. If you should decide to do the installation as a DIY job then you can save a fair bit of the cost but for this you need to know what you’re doing and try your best to get it right the first time. There are many online price comparison and price calculation sites that will give you prices once you feed in the size and dimension details. Be sure to talk to customer service representatives of the company if you have a large or a difficult to cover space.
Accordion shutters are amongst the least expensive shutter options; but ensure that the shutters you put up are hurricane-proof and meet the building codes of your county. Rolling shutters, Bahama shutters, and colonial shutters are invariably more expensive than accordion shutters. You can compare prices from suppliers before making a decision on whom to go with. Basically, be prepared to pay between $15 – $25 per square foot for accordion shutters.
Tags: Accordion shutters
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January 11th, 2012
If put in a nutshell, then the answer to the question of the popularity of wood Bahama shutters would be that these shutters are a perfect combination of beauty and functionality. These have been around for a long time and old time Florida had its landscape dotted with bungalows with beautiful wood Bahama shutters.
It is a known fact that shutters rarely elevate the aesthetics of their surroundings. These are more like a necessity to prevent your property from getting damaged during the hurricane season. This is one of the reasons why many shutter types are removable and not fixed. But this is definitely not the case with Bahama shutters and to some extent colonial shutters. This shutter type looks great on any window. Mahogany, maple, poplar, cedar are just some of the wood types that you can choose from for your shutters. A big advantage with wood Bahama shutters is that they not only protect against hurricanes but also against the elements for the rest of the year. With these shutters in place you don’t need to worry about heat damaging paint and upholstery colors. There won’t be any dust settling anywhere inside and during the cold season you can protect yourself from cold winds with these shutters. By opening the shutter slats you can regulate the amount of sunlight you wish to let in.
These shutters are usually top hinged and open from the inside. This is an advantage because it saves you the bother of having to step out of the house to manage the shutters. You can open them forty-five degrees or with a telescopic arm these can be opened ninety degrees. The arm is usually made of a light aluminum alloy. Bahama shutters can be retrofitted which is an advantage.
Of course, you cannot install these on doors. When installing these shutters try your best to have those shutters that are storm rated.
Many online stores will allow for a great deal of customization of your shutters before you place an order with them. You can choose the wood type, shutter width, inch fraction, and color. Wood Bahama shutters can be installed as a DIY procedure. Or you can approach a contractor to do the job for you.
With proper primer, paint, and chemical treatment wood Bahama shutters can easily withstand the vagaries of nature, sea air, heat and cold. Find out from the manufacturer about the product’s resistance to warping, chipping, and splitting. These are problems associated with wood shutters.
Tags: wood bahama shutters
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January 10th, 2012
Rolling shutters prices are on the higher side than almost all other types because of the tremendous advantages they offer. Let us enumerate the factors that make these shutters such a good choice and also the points that can affect rolling shutters prices. Rolling shutters can cost $16-$40 per square foot. That’s expensive compared to what a plywood shutter or even a Bahama shutter would cost you, but then roll-up or roll-down shutters have many positives and money spent on these shutters is money well-spent.
The big advantage with these shutters is that they can be operated from within and without. You can manage them manually or with a motor. So this makes them suitable for old-age homes or large homes. You can even have them centrally operated. Once installed at a difficult-to-access opening, these shutters offer great ease of manipulation not afforded by other shutter types. Rolling shutters are made from aluminum or polymer, they are lightweight and have been favored in Europe for longer than they have been popular in North America. You also offer your property excellent secondary protection with these shutters; they can prevent break-ins. Lower your home insurance and hurricane insurance premiums by having these shutters in place. They can be built to cover huge widths and heights; although in such cases it is better to use multiple shutters across the width in order to maintain shutter strength.
You need just one person to have the house storm-ready with these shutters. Keep in mind though that motorized roll-down shutters will require battery backup for them to be operated during a hurricane. These shutters take little space and are excellent value for the money you put in.
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January 10th, 2012
Aluminum panel or more correctly aluminum composite panel or aluminum composite material are phrases describing flat panels made of aluminum that are used as cladding for building exteriors. Aluminum sheets have a non-aluminum core, often an insulating material, between them and this composite forms the panel. Such panels come in different sizes with varying insulation properties and find use in the construction industry. These panels can also be used for signage purposes.
Aluminum composite panels can easily maintain their shape as they are very rigid and extremely strong. They are also very light in weight. These are essential properties that add to their usefulness. They can easily be hauled up heights and fitted without any problem. The material is easy to paint and can take on metallic as well as non-metallic textures.
These panels are also excellent for placing false ceilings because they are easy to install and have insulation properties. Because they are light and can hold paint easily, they form an excellent substrate for hoardings. LDPE or low density polyurethane is the most commonly used insulation core. Even plywood can serve as a core. These claddings can be used for canopies and soffits as well. Their low cost and resilience are their main advantages. Fabricating these panels is easy. You can install them as a DIY exercise if you so wish. Panels available for home use do not rot and are weather resistant. You choose panels that mimic cedar shingles and wood clapboard. Keep in mind that metal expands and contracts with heat, so remember to keep allowance for this when installing aluminum cladding. The cladding should be watertight and airtight. You will have to trim the panels at places so that they fit tight, particularly at the door and window sides so that door and window trims do not get damaged. You will have to put gutter seal adhesives on the panels under the window sill. Decide in advance whether you wish to install vertical or horizontal panels.
The type of installation can be made to suit your requirements and so can the core filling depending upon the extent of thermal insulation and heat retardation that you want. When used as partitions, the aluminum panel cladding can be installed quickly and can be removed just as fast.
A good thing with these panels is that they can actually be fabricated on-site so transportation costs are avoided.
Tags: aluminum panel cladding
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January 9th, 2012
If you’re looking for hurricane shutters that not only offer great protection but also add to the architectural beauty of your property then go for colonial shutters; along with Bahama shutters these shutters look good – the only two that actually increase the aesthetic appeal. You cannot say the same about accordion or any other panel-type shutters.
Colonial shutters offer the benefit of ease of use and durability. Moreover, these can be used to cover shapes such as arches, curves, and protruding surfaces. Colonial shutters will protect openings that are situated at awkward angles. You can get special sizes custom-made. Along with hurricane protection, these shutters are also useful in controlling wind, light, and dust that can damage wall paint and lead to grime accumulation on furniture. Colonial shutters are best installed in the construction phase itself. You can get to choose from a range of colors. Earlier, these shutters used to be made of wood. While wood has its own charm and texture, it is susceptible to rot and chipping. Aluminum and polymer shutters do not present these problems.
Plan for colonial shutters and leave enough space on either side of the opening not only for installation but also for the shutters to rest on the sides when open; these shutters can be placed on doors as well. They have to be opened and shut from the outside but are easier to operate than almost all other shutters. Once installed, these shutters will stay in place. Check the local building and construction codes before choosing a colonial shutter installation.
Colonial shutters are also known as traditional shutters or colonial blinds; at one time they were most popular in New England but can now be found all over America.
Tags: colonial hurricane shutters
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January 9th, 2012
Tucson rolling shutters are known all over America for their craftsmanship and durability. Rolling shutters are for many the best shutter type because of the advantages that they offer. Not only are these shutters excellent hurricane-grade protection for your residential and commercial property, they also protect property from theft. Moreover, in places where the cold can get extreme these shutters are used as a secondary level of insulation protection. The metal slats of these shutters will have an insulating core. This helps bring down heating costs. Basically these shutters are all-rounders and once installed provide valuable service for years to come. It is best to install these shutters during the construction time.
You can choose to have your rolling shutters with vents to allow for some light to stream in. These shutters provide a fair amount of sound insulation as well depending upon the kind of insulating core being used.
Tucson rolling shutters are invariably made of aluminum which is a lightweight yet very strong material. It resists degradation from corrosion because of special powder coating. These shutters have their aluminum slats filled with polyurethane core which acts as an insulator against heat, cold, sound, and light. The shutter housing and guide rails are also made of aluminum.
Tucson rolling shutters give you peace of mind; that is the simple truth. The very crucial air space between window and shutter provides excellent insulation against both cold and heat. The cost of cooling your homes in summer and heating them in winter are brought down significantly by using these shutters. These shutters are rated for hurricanes so if you are staying in a region susceptible to hurricanes then you can feel safe after installing these shutters. A house with proper security shutters installed fetches a higher price in the real estate market; these shutters also help bring down your insurance costs too. Tucson rolling shutters are no doubt a sound long-term investment and will repay their initial costs many times over during their lifetime.
These shutters lend themselves nicely to motorized use, thus making them an ideal choice for large homes. Choose from a wide range of color and size options.
Tags: Hurricane Shutters, tucson
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December 2nd, 2011
Bahama shutters have long attracted residents of coastal United States for a long time, mainly because they offer the best combination of aesthetic appeal and beauty. These are basically window shutters, call it a drawback if you will but most people have no issues with shuttering their windows with Bahama shutters and using another shutter type, mainly rolling shutters on the doors. Bahama shutters have traditionally been made of wood and that is the reason behind their beauty and elegance.
However; the drawback with wood is that it is not durable. It is susceptible to the elements, particularly the salty sea air. Fiberglass has emerged as a good alternative. You can have fiberglass hurricane shutters installed in almost any type; Bahama, colonial, accordion, etc. Bahama hurricane shutters made from fiberglass not only meet but exceed the strength requirements by various building codes across the nation. One thing that you may have to check with these shutters is that amount of opening that you get from between the slats. Fiberglass shutters are available in enough and more colors, that’s no problem. They are usually available in a smooth finish and a warranty of 20 years which is four times the warranty you can expect from aluminum Bahama shutters.
Usually the maximum opening size that these shutters can protect is 60.5 inches wide by 102.5 inches high. That should take care of most windows; if the windows are any larger you can install them in sequence or choose to have them custom-made. However; shaping fiberglass for Bahama shutters presents a limitation. Unlike aluminum that can be shaped for angles, arches, and curves, the fiberglass shutters are usually rectangular in shape.
With fiberglass you continue to enjoy all the positives associated with wood with the added security of strength and the knowledge that these shutters won’t chip, rot, or split as wood is wont to. And it won’t corrode like aluminum does. Of course, aluminum can be placed over larger openings. Fiberglass shutters are expansion proof and can withstand temperature changes without warping.
Tags: Bahama shutters, fiberglass
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December 1st, 2011
In terms of versatility, roll-down shutters beat all other shutter- types hands down. Why, you can even call them roll-up shutters. Which other shutter type gives you the advantage of two names to begin with? These shutters have been finding favor in continental Europe for a long time. Their history of application in the U.S can be traced over the past seventy to eighty years. As evident from the name, these shutters perform valuable functions from the security point of view apart from providing excellent hurricane protection. This is the reason why you can find them in use all over America, not just in the coastal states like Louisiana, the Carolinas, and Florida.
Security roll-down shutters can be used in residential and commercial establishments. Rolling shutters are usually made from extruded aluminum. These are meant to be installed at the time of construction; this means this is not an ideal shutter type for retrofitting. If you opt to retrofit, you may have to make certain changes to the exteriors around the opening you wish to cover with roll-down shutters. Check the details with the installer to see if retrofitting is worth the effort and expenses, yes expenses!
Now let us do a quick summarization of the unique features that security roll-down shutters afford us –
• As mentioned above, security comes as a given with these shutters. So not just during normal times but even during times of hurricanes, these shutters provide security from vandals. And in doing so they help bring down insurance costs.
• You can operate these shutters from inside and outside which is a big plus for homes that are large or openings that are inaccessible.
• These shutters can be centrally operated, again a big plus if you are staying in a large house or if the occupants are invalided for some reason.
• These shutters are out of sight when not in use and when needed they can be brought down swiftly.
• Roll-down shutters offer energy savings by bringing down heating costs on account of their thermal insulation properties.
Tags: roll-down, security, shutters
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November 30th, 2011
Window shutters are something that you don’t install everyday. Both residential and commercial properties are increasingly opting for window shutters for three reasons. One is to protect their homes from the elements. Yes, shutters don’t just protect your property from hurricane winds and debris they also offer year-round protection from the sun and wind that can damage the upholstery fabric, causes wall-paint to peel, and gets the furniture dusty.
Second, window shutters accord security. These are the first line of defense against break-ins. And you don’t have to be living in a hurricane zone to install these. Protection of your property and valuables becomes easier with window shutters.
The third reason why people go for window security shutters is that it helps to bring down insurance costs. And that is a strong incentive to go for windows security shutters on your property. You can custom-made shutters of these types that protect your windows and can be operated as per your requirements, either manually or through a motor. You can even have your window security shutters centrally operated. These shutters are invariably made of high-strength extruded aluminum. Check with the installer if the shutters are graded to meet your state stipulated strength requirements.
If treated with fire-retardant materials, these shutters can also help in minimizing fire hazards. If the aluminum plates have insulating foam filled in between then you also save on heating costs. There are many online sites belonging to installers and shutter manufacturers; you can contact these for quotes. You may check if the installers offer perforated shutters or window security shutters with slats. This will allow air and sunlight when you want these without compromising on security.
Tags: window shutters
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November 29th, 2011
If we do a price comparison of roll-down hurricane shutters with other shutter types we will see that these shutters command a higher price but it is for very good reason that these shutters are expensive. Let us try and understand why these shutters command the price they do and the features that they bring to the table for the home owner looking to protect his property from hurricanes and also ensure security.
Expect to pay up to $35 /sq foot for roll-down hurricane shutters, but this is more like the upper limit. This is more than what you’d be paying if you were to choose Bahama shutters, accordion shutters, and most certainly plywood boards and storm panels. The roll-down hurricane shutters are made from extruded PVC or aluminum. This makes them lightweight and durable.
These shutters are fixed permanently and can be brought into use in a moment’s notice. You can operate them from the inside and from outside. Roll-down shutters can be operated even by the disabled. All these things influence the price. The size of the opening to be covered matters too. If at all, you decide to go for a retrofit you may have to pay a little more. If you opt for automatic operation, then you need battery backup for an emergency scenario that is not entirely an unlikely event when hurricanes happen.
Tags: Hurricane Shutters, roll-down
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