fp Turks and Caicos

Hurricane Solutions:

Last week we looked at the advantages and disadvantages of three popular types of hurricane protection solutions — colonial shutters, Bahama shutters and roll-down shutters.

This week we’ll consider three other kinds of protection — accordion shutters, storm panels and hurricane fabric — yes, fabric!

Accordion shutters

Accordion shutters are constructed of aluminum and are permanently affixed beside windows and doors.

Accordion shutters fold and unfold like an accordion and may either be a two-piece design that locks in the middle, or a one-piece design that spans the window or door from left to right or right to left.

Pros

• Can be installed on very large openings such as sliding glass doors, balconies and lanais
• Remain in place so that no storage is needed
• Can easily be operated by one person
• Can come with keyed locks which adds an additional security feature
• Relatively affordable solution
• Can be installed around most decorative trim

Cons

• Bulky and visually in conflict with the outside appearance of your home
• Require some maintenance annually
• If damaged by flying debris, the whole shutter will require replacement

Storm panel shutters

Storm panel shutters can be made of corrugated steel, aluminum or clear (polycarbonate) panels that overlap each other and are affixed to the outside walls around windows and doors on tracks.

There are several methods to install the panels, the most popular being a track permanently installed above and below each window opening. The track has sliding bolts that can be moved to line up with pre-drilled holes in the panels. The panels are overlapped and then affixed to the bolts, usually with wing-nuts.

Pros

• Relatively inexpensive to purchase and install
• Provide excellent hurricane protection

Cons

• Not to be installed in even minor wind
• Difficult for one person to install, especially above ground floor
• Aesthetically unattractive tracking permanently affixed on the exterior of the house
• Panels require storage when not in use
• Sharp edges on panels require care when handling

Hurricane fabric

Hurricane Fabric is an incredibly high tensile strength nylon fabric that is the same fabric used in automobile air bags.

The fabric is cut to any size or shape and held in place using patented clips attached to the fabric and bolted to the wall using a stainless steel sidewalk bolt threaded into a concrete anchor on the perimeter of the opening.

Pros

• Lightweight, easy for one person to install
• Can protect large openings and be custom cut to any shape
• Fabric can be folded or rolled and stored in a closet or under a bed
• If fabric panel is struck by debris, panel will not need to be replaced
• Very affordable solution

Cons

• Bolt heads visible on perimeter of window openings
• Bolts and anchors are permanent but panels will need to be installed and taken down for each storm
• Installation above second floor is more difficult

If you are at all in doubt about what hurricane protection solution is right for your home, you should consider having someone in the business come to assess your needs for you.

Read other Hurricane Solutions articles

• Protection from storm starts with you
• What hurricane protection solution is right for you?
• Pros and cons of home protection products: Part 1