Every Florida resident knows the importance of protecting their most valuable possessions from hurricane damage. The family home or place of business is extremely vulnerable to the hurricanes and tropical storms that regularly ravage the Sunshine State.
And while Florida is our example, the same may be said for many coastal areas, including Louisiana, Texas, the Carolinas and more. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Carolinas, storm preparation and protection products may secure your investments and protect lives.
The Benefits of Impact Doors
Doors are one of the most vulnerable areas of a property. Large glass doors, such as sliding glass doors create large vulnerable areas on your home. Garage doors create an even larger vulnerability if not impact rated. In turn, hurricane impact doors are a must if you want to be prepared for the worst weather nature has to offer. Homes without these or other hurricane protection installed are at a much higher risk of sustaining damage and/or injury from storms.
As anyone who has been through a hurricane or tropical storm knows, one of the most dangerous aspects of these marvels of nature is the sheer volume of debris and dirt carried by the hurricane-force winds. Everything from tree limbs to flying debris becomes a threat to your family or business if extra precautions are not taken.
Along with debris comes the added damage of water intrusion through broken windows or doors. This worry has a better chance of being eliminated with the right decisions to protect the home or business.
Another plus is that these essential products are impact resistant, which provides security protection as well. This means that trespassers, burglars, or even looters are not able to break through impact doors or windows to gain entry to your home.
Installing impact doors is an obvious benefit to your residence or business. They protect your much larger investment in the property and prevent the need for expensive storm-related repairs down the road.
Then there’s the financial gain from having a structure with improved energy efficiency. Heating and cooling costs are unquestionably improved by solidifying the building with these high performance, efficient, impact-resistant doors. And air sealing is also enhanced by eliminating the cracks and crevices that come with worn-out, older doors and windows.
So when the time comes to replace that old door, it is wise to consider a replacement that will not only function but also protect and improve your home. Especially if you live in a coastal area, this is a smart move for any homeowner.
Who Needs to Protect Their Home?
To be clear, it’s not just the coastal dwellers or only people who live in a certain part of Florida who need to strengthen their residence against violent storms. According to the Florida Climate Center at Florida State University, there is a general misconception that parts of the state are somehow immune to hurricanes.
The fact is that since 1850, every bit of the Sunshine State has been affected by at least one hurricane. Just in 2022 Hurricane Ian ripped across the entirety of the state, including Central Florida. Simple geography puts the state on the path for major storms every season, and most experts will tell you that weather patterns are getting even more unpredictable.
The annual Atlantic hurricane season is a grueling stretch during which all homeowners will rest better knowing they are properly prepared. From June 1 through November 1, weather watchers know that the threat of a serious weather event is always lurking around the corner.
And it is not necessary to be on the coast at landfall for your home to be in danger.
Locations hundreds of miles away may experience hurricanes, strong winds, and torrential downpours that threaten the family home or place of business. There are many good reasons why smart homeowners prefer to upgrade ahead of the storms instead of fighting with the insurance company later.
As the Japanese proverb states, “the time to patch the roof is when the sun is shining.”
This could be reworded to include impact-resistant doors as well.
How Much Do Hurricanes Expedite the Need for Building Hurricane Resistant Homes?
It is not a shock to note that Florida is hit by more hurricanes than any other U.S. state. But a staggering 41% of all of these incredible storms that make landfall in the country strike the Sunshine State. That’s more than twice the number of Texas, the state with the next highest occurance.
Is it any wonder that residents are strongly urged to build safer homes and upgrade/retrofit existing structures? The need for enhanced safety is present all across the state.
Other Premium Upgrades to Consider Before the Storm Hits
You will be happy to know that you have other options to protect your doors and windows from hurricanes. Below are a few options that can be paired with hurricane proof doors or used as alternatives.
Storm shutters
Hurricane shutters and storm panels are another option for defense from the damage brought by hurricanes and tropical storms. Every Florida resident knows the potential of powerful winds and airborne debris accompanied by storm surge.
If choosing shutters they should be hurricane-rated and engineered to protect your loved ones against everything from broken tree limbs to flying glass. In a weather emergency, shutters help protect your residence from storm damage and pressurization that can inflict serious harm to your family’s home.
And there is a wide variety to choose from. You may select roll down, accordion, Bahama style, colonial, or any number of other types.
Impact windows are an alternative to hurricane shutters for hurricane window protection. Like shutters and doors these secure your home in the face of a hurricane or tropical storm. They protect your family and possessions from the impact of airborne debris and the powerful winds.
When it comes time to replace windows in your existing structure, it is a wise investment to upgrade to impact windows. These are also the popular choice for new construction.
Also, hurricane screens may also be a great option for Florida residents looking to protect their patios, lanais and other large, outdoor areas. These retractable, hurricane-rated screens are simple to use and quick to deploy when a storm approaches fast. Not only are they critical during tropical emergencies that many areas are prone to have, but these screens are also practical. They provide shade and privacy to your outdoor space at a moment’s notice. In other words, they increase the enjoyment of your home.
And then there are hurricane-rated garage doors, which may be a perfect and attractive addition to your family home. These are often artfully crafted to match your impeccable style while providing the practical protection you need from unpredictable storms.
These modern garage doors are available with an impact-resistant steel skin consisting of 24-gauge steel. They also come triple-coated to protect your beautiful investment from corrosion that is all too familiar in our climate.
Conclusion
Simply put, many wise upgrades may be made to the family home or place of business. From impact-resistant sliding glass doors to other hurricane protection products, these are smart investments that may also be money and lifesavers. Get in touch with the team at Eurex Shutters to discuss protecting your home or business.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
