A hurricane can turn any object into a projectile. Tree limbs, roofing tiles, even garden gnomes have the potential to break your windows and doors. This can lead to broken glass, water damage, and even your home becoming pressurized, causing more severe damage. Worse yet, it can lead to injuries of your loved ones. If you live in Florida or another coastal area you know it is important to be prepared for hurricane season. When it comes to hurricane window protection options, you will need to focus on protecting your windows and doors, as well as other vulnerable areas prone to damage.
However, the shear number of window protection options out there make it hard to pick the one that is right for you. That is why we created this guide. It will provide an overview of all the different hurricane window protector options.
Hurricane Window Protection Options
Below we give an overview of the available, hurricane window protection options. For each, you will see an introduction to them as well as their key features and benefits.
1. Plywood
Plywood is not a reliable, long-term Hurricane Protection Option
Hurricane plywood is what we call a “last resort” solution. In other words, it is a a better than nothing option. But beware and careful.
Why?
Plywood is not reliable as a long-term, hurricane window protector. Plywood has the potential to pull away from the fasteners, especially when you use too thin of wood, compromised plywood, or low-strength OSB sheets. The fasteners themselves also are at risk of being detached from your home if not properly attached or anchored. Regardless, using plywood hurricane window covers can lead to broken windows and further damage.
If a storm is approaching and you have no other storm window protectors than plywood is better than no window protection. But long-term your home needs more reliable window protection. There are various types of hurricane window protection options available that are more reliable and easier to install. All of the hurricane window protection options below are hurricane-rated and will protect your home and provide peace of mind.
1. Hurricane Shutters – Window Covers
The term “hurricane shutters” is a general term used to describe a wide range of different hurricane-rated shutters. There are several different types of hurricane shutters, from basic type window coverings to decorative hurricane shutters. And of course, each have their own unique features as well as benefits and considerations. But at their core, they are all impact resistant shutters made to protect your home during a hurricane.
Want to learn more about hurricane shutters? Read our helpful guide called What Are Hurricane Shutters & Types of Hurricane Shutters.
You can see the most common hurricane shutter types below. We include an introduction as well as key features and benefits. If you want to learn more about any of them, just click the button to jump to their product page.
ROLL-UP SHUTTERS
Roll down shutters are a type of permanently installed hurricane shutter. They are permanently installed on the exterior of your home over your windows, doors, and other openings. European roll shutters open and close vertically. Individual slats roll up and down on permanent tracks that are installed on the sides of your windows, doors, and other openings, such as your lanai.
Key Features:
- Offer excellent hurricane protection
- Also can be used for security protection
- Ease of use and operation makes these shutters quick and stress-free to deploy before a storm
- Available in both manually controlled and via electric motors, allowing you to meet your needs and budget
Accordion Shutters
Accordion shutters are another permanently installed shutters. These extruded aluminum shutters open and close horizontally like an accordion. They can be operated either inside or outside of your home. And you can opt for a locking system to provide added security for your home as well.
Accordions are quick and easy to deploy. It should take approximately 15-30 minutes to prepare a one-story, average sized home.
Key Features:
- Excellent hurricane protection
- Optional locking mechanism provides home security
- Quick and easy to deploy, making them an easy to use shutter option
- High value and offer many benefits for a reasonable price
Decorative Hurricane Shutters: Bahama and Colonial Shutters
Decorative hurricane shutters are designed to provide strong hurricane protection while also improving the curb appeal of your home.
Bahama shutters are a great fit for South and Southwest Florida because of their tropical style. But Bahama hurricane shutters provide more than just good looks. These extremely capable shutters are built for protection and are available in models rated for HVHZ use. In addition, they also provide other benefits, such as shade and privacy.
Colonial shutters are a perfect fit for Southern style or traditional/colonial style homes. They look like traditional colonial shutters, but they are made from impact resistant aluminum materials and capable of withstanding serious hurricanes. So you can create that perfect look while also protecting your home and family.
Key Features:
- Decorative hurricane shutters offer very good hurricane protection
- Attractive looks and styling make them a great fit for those trying to add to their home and boost its curb appeal
- Bahama shutters are easy to deploy, allowing you to prepare your home quickly.
2. Impact Windows & Doors
Instead of adding hurricane window covers you can ALTERNATIVELY replace your windows and doors with impact glass windows and doors. Impact windows are able to withstand intense hurricane winds and wind-borne debris.
These windows look just like new, regular windows, but they are not the same. They are constructed of laminated glass, impact resistant frames (vinyl or aluminum), advanced glazings, and strong components. Laminated glass is able to take severe impacts. If hit hard enough it may fracture, but the glass remains in place. This means even if your window is struck your home will remain “closed” and secured.
Impact glass also makes your home more secure. Burglars and intruders will be deterred once they realize how hard it is to break through the glass.
Best yet, impact windows & doors offer 24/7 protection for your home and family. You will not have to install any shutters, panels, plywood, etc. Your home is already ready for even the worst hurricanes.
Key Features:
- 24/7 protection requires zero installation or preparation before a storm
- Excellent hurricane protection
- Security protection – these windows are near impossible to break through.
- Look the same as new, replacement windows – they will not change the look of your home (except for the better)
- Energy efficient windows help to reduce energy bills and make your home more comfortable
3. Other Hurricane Window Protection Options
Hurricane shutters and impact windows are two excellent hurricane protection options. With that being said, there are other products that can help you protect your home and family during hurricane season. These include hurricane screens, fabric panels, and storm panels.
We discuss each of these below:
HURRICANE SCREENS
EUREX SHUTTERS Hurricane Screens are a fabulous option for protecting wide openings. As such, they are a popular hurricane protection option suitable for your lanai, patio, and other larger, exterior openings. They are retractable, opening and closing along permanently installed tracks on the side of each opening. They are available in either manual or automatic versions (with electronic or solar motors).
This product looks like high-end, exterior sun shades, but they are hurricane-rated to offer maximum protection. In addition to hurricane protection, they also provide shade, privacy, and keep moisture and debris out of your patio.
Key Features:
- Retractable screens are easy to open and close
- Attractive and look just like high-end, exterior sun shades
- Offer shade, privacy, and keep out moisture and debris
HURRICANE FABRIC
There are different variations of hurricane fabric available on the market. They range in terms of materials as well as fastener systems. But all of them share the common trait of being flexible, fabric, hurricane protection panels that cover your windows and/or doors.
Eurex Shutters PTX™ hurricane fabric panels are an easier to handle alternative to traditional, rigid storm panels we discussed above. Our fabric hurricane panels are made of DuPont KEVLAR® reinforced soft-sided fabric, which is extremely strong, lightweight, and flexible.
Key Features:
- Strong hurricane protection
- Lighter and easier to handle vs rigid, storm panels
- Foldable so they take up less room to store
- Economical, offering strong hurricane protection without breaking the bank
HURRICANE PANELS
Storm panels are a popular choice of hurricane protection in Florida. These are overlapping, corrugated panels that act as a shield over the exterior of your windows and doors. They can be constructed of metal, aluminum, or clear plastic (polycarbonate) material.
Hurricane panels are not permanent shutters, which means you need to install and uninstall them for each storm. They attach to your home by screwing into your home’s exterior walls with specialized fasteners. Some systems, such as ours, include rail and tracks systems to make it easier to install them.
Storm panels are typically the most affordable shutter option. This makes them a good fit for a lower cost option vs other permanent types of shutters.
Key Features:
- Economical hurricane protection option for homeowners looking to not break the bank
- Strong hurricane protection
- Come in a range of materials, from galvanized steel and aluminum to clear hurricane panels
What to Look For in Hurricane Window Protection Products
Homes in Florida require high-quality, reliable hurricane protection. The last few hurricane seasons have proven that Florida residents need to prepare their homes, no matter where they live in the Sunshine state. But how do you know what to look for in your hurricane protection? While this is not an in-depth buyers’ guide we do want to provide some qualities that you should look for.
Your home’s hurricane protection should:
- Meet Florida Building Code and other code compliance requirements
- Meet any special requirements in your specific municipality or county, such as Miami-Dade requirements, HVHZ-use, etc.
- Constructed with high-quality materials that will withstand both major hurricanes as well as the test of time
- Be installed by experts, not generalists – the correct installation of your hurricane protection is as important as the products themselves
- Look good, be easy to use, and offer many benefits to you and your home
Get The Hurricane Protection Products You Need
If you are searching for hurricane window protection products for your home, EUREX SHUTTERS of Southwest Florida offers a wide selection of custom hurricane shutters, impact windows and doors, hurricane screens, hurricane fabric, storm panels, and more! If you are still unsure which hurricane protection solutions are best for your property, contact us for a free consultation with one of our experienced team members.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
