Does prepping your home and family for an incoming hurricane feel overwhelming. As a storm approaches you will be watching the news and social media to see if the storm will hit you. You will be scrambling to ensure you have your emergency supplies. You may be packing up and looking for a shelter. These things are stressful and time consuming as it is. Boarding up your house or installing storm panels seems impossible. These activities take hours to complete. Enter roll-down hurricane shutters; the easiest hurricane shutters you can get. These aren’t the clunky panels that you put up each storm. Eurex Shutters PTX™ Roll-Down Shutters are sleek, discreet, and can be deployed in seconds. They offer strong hurricane protection and simplify your home storm prep a lot. So, how do roll-down hurricane shutters work? And are they the right fit for you?
In this article we will talk about what roll-down shutters are and how they work. By the end of this post you will know how they work and if they are a good option for your home.
What are Roll-Down Hurricane Shutters
Roll-down hurricane shutters are one type of hurricane-rated, permanent storm shutters. They protect your windows, doors, and large openings from wind and flying debris. The shutters have individual slats that roll up and down on vertical tracks. The slats and mechanisms are in a housing box mounted above the windows or doors.
Here is the special thing about roll-down shutters. They are the only storm shutter (excluding screens) that you can get in an “automatic” version.
What does that mean?
With the push of a button the shutters open and close. Once closed they secure into place. They form a protective barrier against hurricane force wind, rain, and flying debris.
Roll-downs are also available in a manual version, which are good if you want to save some cash. These are still pretty fast and easy to use, opening and closing each shutter with a simple crank.
Roll-Downs vs Other Shutter Styles
There are a lot of styles available of hurricane shutters in Southwest Florida. From Bahama to Accordions to Storm Panels and hurricane fabric. So how do roll-downs compare vs each of them?
Below we stack roll-downs vs other popular styles of shutters at a high-level.
Roll Downs Compared to Bahama Shutters
Bahama shutters double as exterior window covers. By this we mean they are always affixed over your windows at an (adjustable) angle. They also add visual charm. Compared to roll-downs, they are always visible and are more decorative in nature.
Roll Downs Compared to Colonial Shutters
Colonial shutters are another decorative storm shutter. They are meant to protect and also offer aesthetic appeal. Compared to roll-downs they are more time consuming and less convenient to deploy. They need manual closing, need a storm bar, and can be a bit cumbersome in a rush.
Roll Downs Compared to Accordion Shutters
Accordion shutters are practical and cost-effective. You can deploy an average size house’s accordions in about 15 minutes. Compared to automatic roll-downs this is longer. Compared to manual roll downs it is comparable.
But the key difference is in the design. Accordions are not as sleek as roll-downs; they are more visible.
Roll Downs Compared to Storm Panels
Rigid storm panels are the polar opposite of roll-downs. They take the longest time to put up and take down. They must put and removed in a tedious process each time there’s an impending hurricane. This is excellent if you enjoy wrestling metal sheets while the wind picks up. But if you prefer fast and easy, roll-downs are a much better option.
The Benefits of Roll-Down Shutters Compared to Other Shutters
Roll-down hurricane shutters are a year-round upgrade over tedious options like storm panels. They have many perks. We look at these perks and do our best to compare roll-downs benefits relative to other shutters.
Storm Protection
Roll-down shutters have Florida Product Approval. They meet (and exceed) Florida Building Code (FBC) standards. And they are available in High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) approved versions. In simple terms, they can withstand very high winds and intense impacts.
This is impressive. But, all Eurex Shutters are hurricane-rated (except for clamshells). They all meet the FBC and have Florida Product Approval. Not all shutters have HVHZ versions, so this may be one distinguishing factor.
As a result, roll-down shutters have impressive storm protection capabilities. But this is true for our products as a whole. In other words, you can get reliable, impressive storm protection from any of them.
Security Protection
Like two-for-ones? You are in luck.
Roll-down shutters double as both storm shutters and security shutters. And this is a massive plus you will get from choosing roll downs.
Why?
Security protection is one thing most other hurricane shutters do not provide.
When closed, automatic roll-down shutters secure and lock in place naturally. And you can lock manual versions to secure them. They are a a deterrent to break-ins. They’re great for peace of mind for second-home vacationers and snowbirds. For those living in SWFL year-round, they can be used as security shutters year round. Automatic versions are especially easy to use on a frequent basis.
Energy Efficiency
Roll-down shutters can help make your home more energy efficient. When closed, they can help block out sun and reduce heat flow into your home.
You do not need to close them completely either. The nice thing about these shutters is that you can open and close them as well as adjust the slats. So, you can close the shutters, and adjust the slats open a bit. You can think of them as aluminum shade blinds on the exterior of our windows (and doors).
Altogether, roll down shutters can be helpful to block heat and UV rays and reduce cooling costs.
We argue that roll-downs provide the best energy efficiency option of all shutters. Many will say Bahama shutters provide more shade and reduce heat transfer all the time. This is because Bahama shutters are affixed over your windows at ALL times. And if you want permanent shade this is great. But if you want to be able to control the shade (and privacy) roll-downs give much more control. After all, permanent shade is not for everyone.
Aesthetics (How they Look)
Compared to other shutters, roll-down hurricane shutters have the sleekest, lowest-profile design. This makes them seamless and near invisible when retracted (open). This makes them perfect if you want to limit visual clutter on your home’s exterior.
So if you want shutters that are sleek and have a minimal appearance Roll-downs are great.
Now this may not be what you are looking for.
For instance, Bahama and Colonial shutters are decorative in nature. If you want a tropical vibe Bahama shutters are a good fit. And Colonial shutters are perfect to maintain your home’s traditional or Southern design.
In summary, the style of the shutters will depend on your preferences.
Are Roll-Down Hurricane Shutters Perfect For Your Home?
Not every home needs roll-down hurricane shutters. Their ultra-convenience and many benefits might seem like a luxury for some. But many will enjoy them.
How can you decide if they are right for your family? Consider roll-down shutters if:
- You want fast, super convenient storm protection with zero setup stress
- Your home has large windows, lanais, or second-floor glass that’s tough to reach
- You appreciate a clean exterior with minimal visual disruption and clean lines
- You want extra security protection and energy efficiency in addition to hurricane protection.
Roll-downs are a brilliant investment for most homeowners. They work for any type of home. And they are a good fit for anyone that values convenience or is just tired of dealing with storm panels.
Roll-down hurricane shutters are the rare combination of substance and style. They offer streamlined protection for Florida’s unpredictable, often destructive weather patterns. You can install them to simplify prepping for a big hurricane. You can also install them if you just want to simplify your life. Regardless, roll-down shutters provide unmatched ease, security, and peace of mind.
Are you ready to upgrade your Florida home with low-profile, high-performance storm protection? Contact Eurex Shutters for expert installation of custom roll-down hurricane shutters. Fill out the form to get a free estimate and start your project today.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
