How To Choose The Best Hurricane Shutters For Your Home
When you live in an area where hurricanes are possible, it's a good idea to prepare for one in advance, especially when it comes to protecting your windows. You don't want to be frantically trying to find plywood and cut it into window coverings at the last minute. Hurricane shutters are worth the investment since you can have them already installed and ready to go as soon as you need them. There are a few choices when it comes to hurricane shutters. Here are some tips on how to choose the best ones for your home.
Shutters That Are Controlled Remotely
Many hurricane shutters have to be installed or rolled down manually. However, you can also buy shutters that operate with a remote or wall switch. These also have a battery backup so you can operate them even when the power is out. You can also turn your tablet or smartphone into a remote control and close the shutters if you're away from home. If you have a vacation home in hurricane country, these shutters would be ideal. They are also a good choice if you want to open and close them from inside your house so you can peek outside and avoid going outside in the rain to unlock the shutters.
Shutters That Mount Permanently
Shutters that mount on your windows and stay in place permanently are the most convenient. All you have to do when a hurricane approaches is drop the shutters and lock them in place. These can be made of metal, vinyl, or wood. When the storm passes, the shutters are rolled back to a box above or to the sides of the windows until they are needed again, or they are propped back up on their legs. If you don't like the appearance of shutters that roll into boxes, you can get decorative shutters with louvers instead that add a little shade and glamour to your home when they're not protecting you from a hurricane.
Shutters You Have To Store
If your budget is tight for hurricane shutters, you may want the type you remove and store until a hurricane is predicted to come your way. While these are less expensive, they often take two people to install and they take up room in your garage or attic. They slide into rails or attach to the windows with clips that hold them securely in place. They are often made of corrugated metal, but some are made of fabric. While fabric shutters may not seem like they would be strong, debris will bounce right off them because they are pulled tight when they are installed. The nice thing about the fabric option is that they roll up and take less space in storage.
When deciding on the type of shutters to install, be sure to think about how easy it will be for you to close them when a storm is coming. Also, be sure to check that the shutters have been tested and approved to withstand hurricane force winds so you know they'll protect your windows from strong winds and flying debris.
