Aluminum clamshell shutters are rigid awnings that collapse over a window. They were once a popular product in Southwest Florida. You can still see them on plenty of homes around our area. Today, they remain a popular option for mobile and manufactured homes. But while they are made from aluminum clamshell awnings are not hurricane-rated. In turn, they provide limited protection. Due to the hurricane activity in our area, it is recommended homeowners upgrade their clamshells to a hurricane rated product, such as hurricane shutters or impact windows and doors.
By upgrading your clamshell shutters to Florida Approved hurricane shutters in Southwest Florida, you can better protect your home and family.
In this article we discuss why it is a good idea to upgrade your clamshell shutters to better protect your family and your home. We will discuss what the alternatives are that will provide hurricane rated protection.
Table of contents
Main Takeaways
- Clamshell shutters are not hurricane-rated and offer only limited hurricane protection
- There are plenty of hurricane-rated alternatives that meet most homeowners’ needs and budgets
- Upgrading your clamshell shutters with hurricane-rated protection, such as hurricane rated or windows, which provide much better protection and can lower insurance premiums
The Problem with Clamshell Shutters
As mentioned above, clamshell shutters are not hurricane-rated. In other words, they are not approved/rated in Florida to withstand hurricane force winds and flying debris commonly experienced during a hurricane. In turn, they only provide limited protection.
The common assumption is that clamshell awnings can protect your home vs a hurricane because they are made from aluminum. But in reality, clamshells are not impact resistant, and are not hurricane-rated. They are not designed or intended to withstand a hurricane. They do not meet the strict performance requirements that is needed to be hurricane-rated in the state of Florida.
Top Reasons to Upgrade Your Clamshell Shutters to Hurricane-Rated Protection
Hurricane shutters are an investment. So why should you upgrade your clamshell shutters to a hurricane-rated product? Even though it is an investment, doing so has several benefits.
Here are some of the biggest reasons to upgrade your home’s protection.
- Hurricane-rated storm products are impact resistant and able to withstand the intense winds and flying debris experienced during a hurricane. Clamshells have the potential to get blown off your home or get destroyed and rendered useless due to heavy impacts. Hurricane shutters and impact windows are capable of withstanding these impacts, offering protection throughout a storm.
- If your clamshell shutters become badly damaged or blow off your structure then your windows will be left exposed to the storm. This creates a risk of your windows breaking and your home suffering water damage or even structural damage if it becomes pressurized.
- Clamshell shutters are not hurricane-rated opening protection. In turn, they do not meet the Florida Building Codes. Upgrading to hurricane-rated shutters will meet this requirement.
- Hurricane-rated opening protection will allow you to be eligible for discounts on your homeowner’s insurance windstorm policy.
Hurricane-Rated Alternatives and their Benefits
There are a ton of options when it comes to installing hurricane-rated protection on your home (or business). Here are some options to consider if you want to upgrade your storm protection to a hurricane-rated system. As a bonus, we provide the benefits of these products vs clamshells.
Permanently Installed Hurricane Shutters
Replacing your clamshells with hurricane-rated shutters can improve your home’s storm protection while still allowing you to prepare your home for a storm. Permanent shutters offer speed and ease of deployment.
Permanent hurricane shutters are permanently attached to your home, similar to clamshells. In turn, all you need to do is deploy (close and secure) them. This means you will not have to worry about a labor-intensive installation.
Permanent shutters can also provide aesthetic appeal to your property. Many modern hurricane shutters are sleek and can complement your home’s architecture. Decorative hurricane shutters are intended to look nice. So you can actually boost your home’s curb appeal vs clamshells while better protecting it.
In addition to convenience and good looks, several permanent storm shutters also provide security, which clamshells do not. They act as a barrier against potential intruders.
Insurance companies often recognize the value of opening protection like hurricane shutters, offering discounts for homes equipped with them.
Some notable hurricane shutter options are discussed below.
Accordion Shutters
Accordion shutters are one of the most popular types of storm shutters in Southwest Florida. Accordions offer a ton of value for their price tag. They also offer a lot of convenience and are easy (and fast) to deploy. You can deploy the accordions on your home in about 15 minutes (for a standard size, single story home).
Accordion shutters are not meant to be decorative, but they have a compact design that blends seamlessly with your home’s exterior. When not in use the blades fold away neatly on the sides of your window/door openings. This minimizes their appearance on your home. You can also get them in a range of standard colors, which helps them blend in to your home.
Many homeowners find accordion shutters to be a cost-effective long-term investment, thanks to their durability and low maintenance requirements.
Decorative Hurricane Shutters – Colonial Shutters and Bahama Shutters
If you want shutters to improve the look of your home than you are in luck. Decorative hurricane shutters are a great choice if your budget allows for them as they can seriously boost your home’s curb appeal.
Both Bahama shutters and colonial shutters will help take the design of your home to the next level.
Both provide excellent hurricane protection.
Roll Shutters
Roll shutters are often viewed as the ultimate protection system. They offer maximum storm protection for your home and family. These sleek shutters are installed permanently over the exterior of your home’s windows, doors, and other openings. They open and close vertically, by going up and down on vertical tracks.
They are available in both manual as well as automatic versions. Automatic shutters operate with a remote, switch, or smart phone app, making them extremely convenient. Manual versions can be opened and closed with either a crank or belt system.
These shutters are also used as security shutters for both residential and commercial properties. This means they can protect your home from intruders, vandals, and other security threats. It also means you will get multi-functional shutters for just one price tag.
Impact-Resistant Windows
Want to upgrade your home’s protection, but don’t want shutters? Your best bet is to upgrade your windows themselves. Impact windows are hurricane-rated and capable of withstanding intense hurricane winds and flying debris. They are constructed of impact resistant frames and laminated glass. This special glass consists of two panes of glass bonded to a polymer interlayer. This interlayer is what keeps the glass together, even if it is impacted.
These windows protect your home vs storms and intruders 24/7. They also offer the ultimate in convenience. That is because impact glass requires zero preparation. They are always ready to protect your family and your home. No need to deploy them. No need to be home. They are always ready to protect.
Impact glass products also do a great job boosting your home’s curb appeal. New windows will replace your old, worn-out ones, improving your home’s appeal.
These windows have other benefits too. In addition to storm protection, they can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. They help maintain your home’s temperature, reducing your utility bills and the strain on your HVAC system. There are many energy efficiency options available, such as insulated impact glass and low-E films.
Impact windows can also help reduce external noise. This helps to create a quieter, more comfortable home environment.
All of these reasons are why impact windows and doors are so desired here in Southwest Florida. The reason is because this upgrade not only enhances your home’s safety and aesthetics but also adds value to your property.
Non-Permanent Options – Storm Panels and Hurricane Fabric Panels as Budget-Friendly Storm Protection
Permanent hurricane shutters and impact windows are great options. But what about a lower cost-option? Enter storm panels and hurricane fabric panels.
Rigid Storm Panels
Corrugated storm panels are a popular, budget-friendly option for homeowners in our area. They are made from aluminum or steel and are hurricane-rated. You surely have seen these corrugated panels on homes around Southwest Florida.
Their biggest plus? They are economical.
Their biggest con? They are not very easy to deal with.
Specifically, you need to put them up and take them down for each storm. And this takes some time and effort, which means they are not the best fit for everyone. One alternative is to pay someone to do it, but finding a dependable, reputable storm installation and removal company when a storm is approaching can be difficult.
Hurricane Fabric Panels
Hurricane fabric panels are an alternative to rigid panels. They also require you to put them up and take them down for each storm. But they are much lighter and easier to handle vs heavy, rigid storm panels.
And yes, they offer hurricane-rated protection.
In addition, they are easier to store. Because they are flexible, you can fold or roll them up. This greatly reduces the storage space they require compared to storm panels.
Another benefit is that they allow natural light to enter your home while still providing robust protection.
Conclusion: Upgrade to Permanent Hurricane Armor
Upgrading your clamshell shutters to hurricane-rated protection will better protect your home and family while also providing other benefits. Even though aluminum clamshell shutters were once popular, they just don’t offer the protection your home needs during a hurricane. They aren’t built to stand up to the powerful winds and flying debris that is common in a big storm. That means your home and family could be at serious risk.
But don’t worry! There are lots of great options out there that are much stronger and can adequately protect your home. These include different types of hurricane shutters, like accordion shutters, roll shutters, and even beautiful, decorative shutters that look nice while keeping you safe. You could also choose impact windows and doors, which are super strong and protect your home 24/7! And if you’re on a budget, storm panels or hurricane fabric panels are good, less expensive options that still offer hurricane-rated protection.
Upgrading to hurricane-rated products keeps your family and home safer. It can also save you money on your home insurance. It’s a smart choice for any homeowner in Southwest Florida.
Don’t wait until the next storm! Call for a free estimate now by filling out the form below!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. Clamshells are not hurricane-rated, not impact resistant, and not provide limited protection vs a hurricane.
Even though clamshell shutters are made of aluminum, they aren’t designed and cannot withstand the intense winds and flying debris common during a hurricane. These aluminum awnings are not Florida Product approved for use as hurricane protection.
There are lots of great, hurricane-rated protection options! These include hurricane shutters, like accordion shutters, roll shutters, or even decorative ones like Bahama shutters. Another great choice is impact windows and doors, which are always ready to protect your home vs the strongest storm. If you’re looking for something more affordable, storm panels and hurricane fabric panels are economical choices that are hurricane-rated too.
Upgrading your storm protection means your home and family will be much safer during a hurricane. Stronger protection can stop your windows from breaking, which helps prevent your home from getting severe hurricane damage. Having hurricane-rated protection can even help you get discounts on your home insurance!
