Finding the Best Hurricane Shutter for Your Home – Take a Look at Your Options

If you want to find the best hurricane shutters for your home, you need to decide what you want from your shutters and how much you are willing to spend on hurricane protection.  Here is a look at the top four kinds of hurricane shutters along with their advantages and drawbacks to help you determine which will be the best for your home.

Storm panels are constructed out of aluminum or corrugated steel for added strength and are mounted on bolts or tracks.  There are several styles, all of which are removable so they do not change the appearance of the exterior of your home.  Of course, this means these hurricane shutters require storage, but since they take up very little space, this is not too detrimental.  They are the least expensive form of permanent hurricane protection and they are incredibly strong.  However, setting them up takes more than one person and the sharp edges can make them difficult to handle.

Accordion hurricane shutters come in either one or two pieces and fold up along the side of the window or door when not in use.  Their accordion-style folding allows you to permanently fix these to your house without any storage needs.  They can be locked to protect your windows when out of the house, and one person can easily set them up for hurricane protection.  However, they look a little bulky and less aesthetically pleasing.

Colonial hurricane shutters look very similar to shutters that some homes have purely for decorative purposes.  This means they will add to the visual appeal of your home along with providing you hurricane protection when you need it most.  While one person can typically have them prepared for a storm, some models require a storm bar to lock the shutters into place.  This could require the help of an additional person when preparing for a storm.

Roll-down hurricane shutters attach to the wall above the window and roll up into a storage box attached to the wall when not in use.  With a hand crank or at the push of a button, they are rolled down over the window and locked into place, making it incredibly easy for one person to get the house storm-ready.  You will want a battery backup system in case the shutters need to be raised or lowered during a power outage.  This is the most expensive kind of hurricane protection.

Exploring the Different Types of Hurricane Shutters – Protect Your Home in Four Different Ways

If you live in a hurricane zone, you want to provide your home with proper hurricane protection.  One way to do this is to have hurricane shutters installed on the exterior of your home.  If your windows become smashed during a powerful hurricane, the shutters will serve to protect the interior of the home by preventing the wind and rain from entering without restraint.  Cities along the western and southwestern coasts of the United States, along with countless other places in the world, often require homes to have hurricane shutters, but you have the choice of which kind to install.  Here is a look at four different options.

Colonial hurricane shutters are attached to either side of the window and can be unfolded to come together over the window.  This kind of hurricane protection can actually add a decorative touch to your home.  During hot summer months, you can utilize the shutters to provide you with great protection from the sun’s burning rays.  Unfortunately, these kinds of shutters cannot be used to protect doors and they are a bit weaker than other options.

Accordion hurricane shutters are similar to colonial shutters in that they are also permanently attached to the side of the window, but they unfold like an accordion when deployed.  Not only does this kind of shutter provide hurricane protection, it can also be locked and provide additional protection from thieves.  Many people believe these accordion shutters detract from the appearance of the home, which is their major drawback.

Roll-down hurricane shutters are attached to the wall above the window and are rolled up when not in use.  They are raised and lowered with the use of either a hand crank or an electric motor.  If you choose the electric motor option, you will need to have a battery backup in case you require hurricane protection during a power outage.  These excellent-quality shutters tend to run higher in price than other options.

Storm panels are a form of hurricane shutters that are constructed out of metal and bracketed to the walls.  When they are not in use, they are completely removed because they would certainly detract from the home décor if they were always in place.  Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for only one person to deploy the needed hurricane protection during a storm.  However, with two people and proper installation, these shutters are very strong and can be used on both windows and doors to provide protection from hurricanes.

How to Know if You Need New Windows – Tell Tale Signs to Look For

If you are taking the time to consider whether you need replacement windows in your home, you will be interested to know the tell-tale signs that you need new windows.  You might be making this consideration because you have old single-pane windows that are not providing you with the energy efficiency you know new double or triple-paned glass windows are capable of.  Perhaps you have cloudy or fogged windows or windows that allow almost everything happening outside to be heard inside.   Maybe your windows have gaps around them that make them drafty or you just can’t operate your windows anymore.  These are sure signs that you could use replacement windows, but there are other less obvious characteristics of windows that need to be replaced.

The first indication that you could benefit from replacement windows is if your windows are more than 12 years old.  Often times aluminum builders grade windows hold up well for 8-12 years, than they start having seal failure, which leads to windows becoming cloudy, foggy or having condensation in between the panes of glass.  Seal failure occurs when the seal between two panes of glass breaks, subjecting the airspace to the surrounding environment.  Seal failure can happen for several different reasons including changes in air temperature and pressure or the use of less resilient sealant during the construction of the windows.

Another reason you may want to look into replacement windows is if you feel like you can hear every little sound coming from outside.  Since many older windows have only one pane of glass, they conduct more sound from outside.  This also means people outside can hear what is happening inside easier as well.  To increase your level of privacy, you should look into getting new windows that have a glass package that contains double pane glass along with gas additives such as argon to help eliminate the transference of noise.  A vinyl frame that is fusion welded will also help block the everyday noise of traffic and neighbors.

The concept of energy efficiency was not well established in the new construction industry years ago like it is today.  Your windows may appear to be in fine condition, but replacement costs could pay for themselves in the energy savings you experience.  This is because original windows are generally aluminum frame with thin glass and tend to allow the transfer of heat thru the frame more than energy efficient vinyl replacement windows that are available today.

The final reason you know it is time to get new windows is if you simply do not like the way they look or function.  Older windows may not be as clean and pristine as they once were and can actually detract from the cosmetics of your home.  Another common problem with old windows is they become hard or impossible to open and close.  Over the last decade, the technology has advanced in the design and construction of replacement windows.  New replacement windows will open easily and most of them tilt in for easy cleaning.