Having hurricane shutters to protect your house in Florida or another hurricane prone area is a necessity. But where should you buy them? Can you purchase them online? How about buying storm shutters from a big box store? Or is it best to buy hurricane shutters through a local shutter company? If you have these questions then you are in the right place! In this guide we cover where to buy hurricane shutters and how by providing you with the three most popular options.
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Options: Where to Buy Hurricane Shutters
If you are looking to buy hurricane shutters in Florida (or other hurricane prone areas) then you really have 3 main options. Although there are other alternatives, such as buying second-hand shutters, or making plywood hurricane shutters, we don’t cover those in this article. The 3 main ways to buy hurricane shutters for your house in Florida are 1. buying hurricane shutters online, 2. big box hardware stores, and 3. local shutters companies in your area. We cover each of them in more detail below.
You should note that not all suppliers carry all styles and materials of storm shutters. For example, big box stores usually only carry storm panels. On the other hand, many local hurricane shutter companies carry most styles, including permanent styles as well as materials, including metal, plastic and aluminum hurricane shutters varieties. So if you have your heart set on a specific product just make sure you find a supplier that has the style you want.
1. Hurricane shutters for sale from a local hurricane shutter company
If you prefer to work with a company that simplifies the process then a local hurricane shutter company is a good fit. There are several local hurricane shutter companies in Florida. Many of these companies offer consultation, design, and installation of custom hurricane shutters. They are are also licensed contractors so you won’t have to worry about finding a contractor to install the shutters you buy. These companies handle the entire process from start to finish, which makes it the easiest option of the three.
Lastly, most of these installation companies have a hurricane shutter showroom. So you can see the actual products before buying them. Alternatively, they can come to your home with product samples. If this is the case then find one with a local showroom. Here you will be able to explore different options, including styles, colors, features and more.
Here are some of the pro’s and con’s of buying from a local hurricane shutter company:
Pros of using a local hurricane shutter company
- Simplified, convenient process: these companies handle the entire process from start to finish, including measuring, installation and maintenance of your Florida hurricane shutters saving you time and effort finding your own contractors and doing your own legwork
- Most have a local showroom where you can view the different styles, colors, options and features in person
- Most also do in-home consultations if you don’t have time or a desire to go to their showroom
- The staff can help you determine the best hurricane shutters for your house
- No need to find a separate contractor to install your shutters
- Your hurricane shutters are guaranteed because they came from the company and were installed by them
- These are sold as a complete system so the fasteners and other necessary components will be included in the price
- Many also install hurricane glass so you can compare options if you are considering hurricane windows vs. hurricane shutters
- You will be buying from a local company and supporting your local economy
Cons of using a local hurricane shutter company
- Comparing pricing vs. online retailers and big-box stores can be tricky because local hurricane shutter companies include installation, etc.
- Completing the process 100% online is usually not possible; either an in-home consultation or a visit to a showroom is necessary
2. Buy hurricane shutters online
There is no shortage of online retailers selling hurricane shutters. Different online stores will offer different types of hurricane shutters at different prices. In fact, the choices may be overwhelming and require some research.
Considerations when buying your shutters online
There are a few things to consider when determining if you want to buy your shutters online.
First, make sure you are comfortable and willing to buy your shutters sight unseen. Think of buying clothes online. Sometimes things look different in person. So buying online means you will have to be okay with not being able to see and touch the hurricane shutters before you buy them like you would when buying them with a local hurricane shutter installer.
Second, you need to make sure you are okay doing some of the leg work. You will need to research different online storms as well as different shutter options. You will need to measure your home for the shutters you need. And you will need to put in some effort to get the shutters installed (either by yourself or by finding a third-party contractor). In short, ordering the shutters online is convenient, but you will have some extra steps to get them installed on your home. These steps include researching different online stores, measuring for your shutters, and finding and vetting a contractor or even installing them yourself.
Here are some of the pros and cons of buying your shutters online for your home.
Pros of buying hurricane shutters online
- Many online hurricane shutter stores exist so you have plenty of options and buying power
- You can pick out and buy your storm shutters from the comfort of your home without having to go to a store or a showroom
Cons of buying online shutters
- You will need to install them yourself (if you are licensed) or find a licensed contractor to install the shutters you buy online
- The process of finding a reputable contractor is an extra step and might be a hassle
- Many contractors will not install products you supply so this may become an issue
- Many contractors will not guarantee the installation of shutters you supplied so keep this in mind
- Measuring the shutters needed is up to you; insuring that you measure and order the correct size need to be done correctly
- Picking out the appropriate fasteners and hardware can be overwhelming
- You will not get to see the shutters in person before you buy; getting a real understanding of their quality is tough
- Knowing which store to buy hurricane shutters online takes some research to ensure they are reputable and sell quality products
3. Buying from a big-box hardware store
This seems like a natural place to look for hurricane shutters, and many of the big-box hardware stores do offer hurricane window coverings. Most of these products are sold online and delivered to your local store for pickup. The selection of storm shutters at the actual store is limited. So the experience of buying from a big-box hardware store may be very similar to buying from an online retailer. In turn, the considerations and the pros and cons of buying your hurricane shutters at the big name hardware stores are nearly identical to buying them online.
Some of the pro’s and con’s of buying your shutters online for your home in Florida include the following:.
Pros:
- Competitive pricing
Cons:
- Limited styles and lack of customization
- These stores sell them as DIY, but in many (most) Florida counties hurricane shutter installation requires a permit, so you will need to find a licensed contractor to install
- Finding and selecting a reputable contractor to install the storm shutters is extra work for you
- You will need to find a contractor willing to install the big-box shutters and not their own products
- Many contractors may not offer a warranty on the installation of shutters that they did not supply
- You will need to (or pay a contractor to) measure your house for the shutters and insure the correct sizes you need
- Making sure you select and buy the appropriate fasteners and hardware can be confusing to untrained individuals
- Most of the styles are not on display at the big-box stores. So you may have to by sight unseen without getting a sense of the quality, materials, and options firsthand
Conclusion
If you live in Florida and are asking yourself “where can I buy hurricane shutters” then you have many options. You can buy hurricane shutters from a local hurricane shutter company, an online retailer, or a big-box hardware store. Each option has its pros and cons. Which option is right for you will depend on what you are looking for and the amount of work you are looking to put in to the process.
If you are in the Southwest Florida and want to see the different styles of hurricane shutters in person or get an estimate we would love to help! Eurex Shutters is a local hurricane shutter installation company that has been proudly serving Fort Myers and the rest of Southwest Florida since 1986.
