If you live in a place where hurricanes are at all common, you should do your best to protect yourhome as it is likely your single largest purchase. Onecommon method is with hurricane shutters. Keeping out the rain and wind due to broken windows is the mainpurpose of hurricane shutters, but they will also help your house lookgood too. Miami is a place whereeach house should have window protection of some type. Here are a few of the most common Miami hurricane shutters.
Typical Varieties of Hurricane Shutters
Accordian Hurricane Shutters
Accordian hurricane shuters are usually stored beside the window when not being used and are affixed there permanently. Todeploy this type of shutter you pull them across the window and they unfold like an accordian. They can be locked to prevent theft while you are away and are fairly easy to set up by a single person. Detracting from the beauty of the house is the biggest downside to this type of shutter.
Colonial Shutters
These shutters attach to the wall beside the window and then come together over the window when deployed. These can actually make the home look beautiful unlike the accordian shutters. They can’t,however, protect doors so you must use another type of shutter system for doors. Also, some have to have a bar down the center to keep them closed.A metal bar runs through the middle of colonial shutters to keep them shut.
Bahama Shutters
These are single piece shutters that are permanently attached to the house above the window and prop open to provide shade for the widow. The shade they provide can be great and they can also be nice looking. A single person can fairly easily drop them down into place. You should check on the strength of this type of shutter as it can sometimes be weaker than other types. Also, like colonial style, they can’t be used to protect doors.
Roll-Down Shutters
This type of hurricane shutter attaches above the window. The shutter rolls up like a window shade when not in use. They canbe lowered either with a hand crank or by an electric motor. It is very easy for one person to roll down electric shutters, but if the power goes out, you’ll require a battery backup system. Ifcost is a concern, you might want to look at other kinds,though, because roll-down shutters can be more costly.
Storm Panels
These are metal shutters that attach to the walls over windows. These shutters don’t detract from the style of the home because they are removed completely when not in use. In the event of a hurricane, it can be difficult for one person to deploy them, however, for this reason. They are very strong and can protect both windows and doors. One drawback is the need for sufficient space to store the panels when not in use. You should also inspect the panels periodically.
You want to ensure that your house is properly protected no matter which variety you select so be sure toselect a professional and reputable installer. Your installer can discuss the different varietiesof shutters and help you pick the best kind for your specifichouse.You can discuss the various types of shutters with your installer and he/she can help you select the best shutters for your Your installer can help you choosethe best shutters for your house after discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each kind.
