Hurricane Protection is very important during hurricane season as you probably already know.  We are finally starting to have beach weather on an almost daily basis.  One of the benefits of the Emerald Coast is the beautiful weather in late spring, especially along our beaches.  As the weather gets warmer, we must also pay attention to another season that is always of great concern to homeowners, hurricane season.  Hurricane season runs from June 1st thru November 31st.  Now, is the time to start making preparations to your home and gathering a list of supplies to get you and your family through a hurricane.

Living in a hurricane zone means 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.  During a hurricane, hurricane shutters are designed to protect the envelope of the home by preventing the wind, rain and flying debris from entering.  There are many options when it comes to hurricane shutters, so choosing the right type for your home and the right company to install them is imperative.  Here is a look at four different options.

Colonial hurricane shutters are attached to sides of the window and are hinged so they can be unfolded to come together over the window.  Colonial shutters are often chosen to add cosmetic appeal to the home.  They are similar to the vinyl “decorative shutters” on many homes, except they are made of aluminum and are r

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.

Thinking home improvements?  According to voters on the Emerald Coast, you should be thinking Hometown Contractors, Inc. Recently voted Finest on The Emerald Coast 2016 in two categories (Sunrooms and Builder/Contractor)Hometown Contractors, Inc. has established itself as the leader in Northwest Florida when it comes to home improvements.

Also voted “Best of the Bay 2016”, Hometown Contractors, Inc. has been in business since 2000, when Paul Kasischke established the company of highly-skilled employees and it began making a name for itself.

With its focus being largely on the installation of hurricane shutters, replacement windows, screen rooms, sunrooms, patio enclosures and senior safe bathroom remodeling, Hometown Contractors, Inc. has satisfied thousands of customers over the years.

The company’s mission statement says it all: “As invited guests in our customers’ homes, our mission is to ensure that our customers always come first by providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.” And that satisfaction is one of the keys to the company’s success.

“One thing that makes us superior to other companies is that we offer more than the average contractor would offer,” said Chad Baxter, who has been with Hometown since 2002.

“This company is very personal. We take great pride in the work that we do. The quality of work is superior, we make sure that the customer is satisfied and that the work is done to the best of our ability.”

Doing the job right keeps customers coming back. With a client base that is largely driven by repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals, it’s obvious that Hometown Contractors is a cut above its competitors.

“I would recommend them in a minute,” said Dottie Buyher, who had vinyl siding installed and a screened patio replaced on her Fort Walton Beach home. “They did an excellent job. There wasn’t one person at the company that I made contact with who wasn’t polite and friendly and helpful. I have no complaints.”

That level of satisfaction is precisely what Hometown hopes to achieve upon the completion of every job.

“We take the customers’ wants, needs and budget into account,” said senior design consultant Leon Locklear, who has over 25 years experience in the home improvement industry. “Our company has an amazing amount of experience in the business, and we offer excellent service after the sale. We have competitive pricing with quality products and a great reputation.”

Reputation is, in so many cases, what drives sales.  The reputation that Hometown has built — through its superior service in offering homeowners energy efficient windows, hurricane protection and patio enclosures — has become an invaluable asset.

In the end, what Hometown Contractors provides is professional installation of quality products that transform an existing house to make it more energy efficient and safer while increasing the homes value.

For more information, visit www.HometownContractorsInc.com or call 850-863-7880 or 1-866-420-2811.