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The Daily Insight

How do hurricane shutters work

Author

Ava Robinson

Published Apr 20, 2026

Hurricane shutters are used to prevent windows from being broken by flying objects during a storm. … The shutters are affixed to the outside of the building with screws, hurricane clips, or a track system. Advanced shutters may be motorized, and they may fold away when not in use.

How effective are hurricane shutters?

Compared to other forms of hurricane protection, such as impact windows, hurricane shutters are fairly cost-effective. Hurricane shutters are great for homeowners on a smaller budget. Armor Screen products offer tremendous strength while preserving the architectural integrity of your home or business.

How roll down hurricane shutters work?

All roll-down shutters pull up the slats within a track. However, end retention products use a series of slat lock clips, fastened to the extruded aluminum slats, to secure their placement within the track. This system offers greater wind protection without needing unattractive storm bars.

At what wind speed do you put up hurricane shutters?

Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew were instrumental in an industry-wide upgrade of the standards for storm shutters. Standard building codes require a product to withstand 110 MPH winds.

Do hurricane shutters keep water out?

One effective way to hurricane-prep your windows is by installing storm shutters—a layer of metal specifically designed to keep water out and stop your windows from breaking during a storm.

Do I need impact windows if I have hurricane shutters?

With impact hurricane windows and doors you do not need hurricane shutters. … Hurricane impact windows are made with coastal packages that have all aluminum and stainless steel components. Old hurricane shutters can become debris in a hurricane if they are not properly installed or if they are rusted and old.

Are accordion hurricane shutters good?

Accordion shutters, which consist of a series of small, linked panels that travel in a metal track, are aluminum, making them strong and durable. They’re also good for sliding glass doors and picture windows.

Should I put up shutters for Category 1 hurricane?

Do You Need To Put up Hurricane Shutters Before Every Storm? According to the National Hurricane Center’s official recommendations, you should put up hurricane shutters whenever a hurricane watch is issued for your area.

Will 60 mph winds break windows?

So with all that said, at what wind speed do windows break? A Design Pressure or DP rating measures the strength of a window. Standard residential windows have DP values between 15 and 50. A DP 15 window can reasonably be expected to sustain winds of roughly 77 mph before shattering.

What is the average cost of hurricane shutters?

Hurricane shutters cost $3,847, or between $1,946 and $5,778, to install. Homeowners usually pay $5 to $60 per square foot for materials and $45 to $100 per hour for labor. Every seven square feet of shutters takes about one hour to put up depending on their size and style.

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Do hurricane screens really work?

Do Hurricane Screens Work? Yes. Hurricane impact screens stop at least 97% of hurricane winds and rain from impacting your home. They reduce the impact of fast-flying dirt and debris.

Are hurricane screens good?

Hurricane screens block 97% of wind and rain, and can also withstand a large missile impact with five times the force required by Miami-Dade County (NOA No. 08-1008.03).

Are accordion shutters hurricane proof?

Accordion shutters are among the most popular types of hurricane shutters. They are an economical way to protect your home from hurricanes and are the near-default option homeowners choose in South Florida. These storm shutters are permanently installed and fold up like an accordion when not in use.

How much do hurricane shutters cost per window?

Hurricane shutters cost $2,000 to $8,000 on average for a house. Accordion shutters cost $15 to $25 per square foot or $105 to $175 per window. Roll-down hurricane shutters cost $20 to $175 per square foot or $140 to $1,225 each. Storm shutter panels and fabric screens cost $5 to $30 per square foot.

Are hurricane shutters worth the cost?

If you’ve established that your home would need protection from high winds and projectiles in the event of a storm, then hurricane shutters are likely worth the time and money to install on your house. … Plywood will save you money, but if installed incorrectly, it can be torn from the home to become a projectile itself.

What are hurricane screens?

What are hurricane screens? Hurricane screens are tougher than your regular window and door screen. They can handle wind speeds of up to 276 mph, can block debris and hurricane strong winds and rain. These screens are perfect for large openings like storefronts, picture windows, lanais, and balconies.

How much do hurricane shutters save on insurance?

The shutters are the best protection and can potentially take 8% to 10% in savings off your insurance premiums.

How much does it cost to install accordion shutters?

Accordion Shutters Cost: approximately $16 – $20/sqft They are permanently installed, and they can be locked from inside or outside your home. They move along a permanently installed track system making them easy to open and close.

Are hurricane shutters cheaper than hurricane windows?

Non-impact windows with electronic roll down shutters can cost twice as much as hurricane windows. Aside from the actual cost of the product and installation alone, there are other factors to consider when evaluating the value of hurricane windows.

Which is better hurricane shutters or hurricane windows?

Both of these hurricane mitigation barriers can provide your commercial property with a high level of protection against storm damage, but hurricane windows definitely surpass shutters in terms of additional benefits.

Which is better hurricane shutters or impact windows?

Hurricane shutters are very similar to the impact glass windows as they are also used as a protection covering from storms and hurricanes. … Although hurricane shutters can be used over any regular glass as well, it’s better to install them over the impact glass, to ensure 100% protection from hurricanes.

Should I tape my windows for a hurricane?

The belief that taping your windows during a hurricane will help keep them intact is a MYTH, and a dangerous one. You should absolutely NEVER tape your windows before a hurricane.

Can double pane windows withstand a hurricane?

Double pane windows include two pieces of glass with an air gap in between. … However, double pane windows are not designed to withstand windborne debris and should be protected just like single pane glass when a hurricane is threatening.

Should you open a window during hurricane?

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends that you close all interior doors and all windows for major wind storms including hurricanes. That’s because wind that enters a home through open windows creates strong upward pressure on the home’s roof.

What strength Hurricanes need shutters?

All hurricane shutters are tested at 175 MPH and requires a large missile impact resistance at 50 MPH, along with a positive and negative pressure test at 9000 cycles.

Are hurricane shutters mandatory in Florida?

The current Florida Building Codes demand that every home built after 2001 must either have hurricane shutters or storm windows. So yes, you do need some form of protection—whether you choose hurricane impact resistant windows or hurricane shutters is completely up to you.

Do hurricane shutters increase home value?

Increasing Resale Value Installing hurricane shutters can significantly increase the resale value of your property. … If there is ever a need to sell your property, you will find that an investment such as installing hurricane shutters will help buyers feel more at ease purchasing in a hurricane zone.

How do Bahama shutters work?

Bahama shutters are installed at a 45-degree angle mounted above the window to create shade. They are operated by opening outward and inward instead of up and down. Some can even be motorized to open and shut automatically.

Can I install my own hurricane shutters?

Do-it-yourself hurricane shutters will fortify your condo or home. clear lexan storm panels will shield your home and can be self-installed. … Simply enter your window measurements, get a price on your new hurricane shutters, and make your purchase. It’s that easy!

Are hurricane screens waterproof?

However, while these windows have weather-proof strips and specially sealed parts, no window is waterproof— rather, storm windows are impact and water-resistant. … Don’t let moisture ruin your home and safeguard your impact windows against water intrusion.

What are hurricane screens made of?

Storm Catcher hurricane screens are constructed of polypropylene, woven mono-filament geotextile threads. Thousands of these fibers are woven in each direction per square foot, creating an extremely tough fabric that can stand up to hurricane force winds, driving rain and flying debris.