A pound of feathers weighs the same as a pound of gold. So, if the aluminum is thick enough it can be better protection than steel at 1/3 the weight.
NO! Aluminum does not go down in price, like gas. The earlier you make your decision the less expensive it will be.
You may save money in the short run, however if the job is not installed correctly it may do more harm than good by becoming an air borne missile during the storm. A licensed professional installer who pulled a permit insuring the install will be done at least to code is really the most economical way to protect yourself.
No. There are different classifications of licenses for different types of buildings. Go to
www.myflorida.com/dbpr for license classifications to insure your contractor is properly licensed to do work on your type of home.
To the layman all shutters appear the same. However, there are many different types of options available on hurricane shutters. Also, the thickness of the metal being used is a big determining factor on the price. Make sure if you want to compare an apple to an apple, you have all the facts or you may be comparing an apple to a pineapple.
If your neighbor is a licensed Florida construction professional he may have good advise. If he was a New York builder in 1954 he may not be up to speed on the latest technology relating to hurricane protection and may not know your particular needs or wants.
No, it is a waste of effort, time, and tape. It offers little strength to the glass and NO protection against flying debris. After the storm passes you will spend many a hot summer afternoon trying to scrape the old, baked-on tape off your windows (assuming they weren't shattered). Once a Hurricane Warning has been issued you would be better off spending your time putting up shutters over doors and windows.
Obviously sliding glass doors, French doors or any door with considerable glass in it should be protected. Some double doors or garage doors should either be shuttered or reinforced. In Hurricane Andrew many of these type doors gave way.
People who live in coastal counties from Texas to Maine, and those in other hurricane prone areas, such as most of the Florida peninsula, will find shutters an excellent investment for protecting their lives and property. They protect against wind and wind-borne debris. These shutters protect not only the windows or doors they cover, but also possessions and people inside the building. Once a window or door has been breached by hurricane winds tremendous pressure is brought to bear on interior walls and upward pressure on the building's roof. This can lead to roof failure, which exposes the entire contents of the building to the storm. Shutters are a first-line of defense against the hurricane. Much of the damage and building failure in Hurricane Andrew could have been prevented by well-installed hurricane shutters over windows and doors.
Shutters will protect your house and possessions from wind damage whether you are there or not. If the storm surge should reach your home then the shutters won't protect against the flood of water. But not every place in the evacuation zone will flood. You should take every reasonable precaution to protect your property.
The best kind are those that are affordable, are easy to install, and offer the greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important to you depends on individual circumstances. For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing mechanism or accordion-type shutters. For those with limited incomes plywood shutters may be the only affordable option. For most people the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, but are expensive and take effort to install. Aluminum panels are lighter and easier to install, but offer less protection and may not meet the for your area.
Whichever type you decide on, it is important to remember that shutters are only as good as the quality of their installation. Ensure that the shutters (and their anchors) are installed by qualified workmen and that quality materials that meet the for your area are used.
The same way you go about choosing any company that performs a service. Make sure they are licensed, get references, and then check the references. Ask your neighbors and friends about who installed their shutters and if they had any complaints or recommendations. Check out a company with the Better Business Bureau, your local licensing authority, or contractor association.
The best time to have shutters installed is when the house is built so they can be a part of the design. If you own a house without shutters, have them installed as soon as is practical. Keep in mind that the beginning of hurricane season (June 1) may be a busy time for most installation companies. Do NOT wait until a is issued for your area.
At the start of each hurricane season you should test out your shutters. For permanently-installed shutters, try closing each one to make sure they work smoothly and lock tight. For panels and plywood shutters try a couple of windows and doors to ensure the hardware works and check the time you need to complete the job. Repair any problems at this time so that everything is ready when a storm threatens.
When a is issued for your area check all mechanisms and hardware again, and maybe install the more difficult shutters. If you live in an evacuation zone and it will take 2 or 3 hours to complete your shutter installation, you may want to start during the Watch phase. If you are not in an evacuation zone you should time your installation early in the Warning phase so that you are not struggling with panels during high winds.
The short answer in Florida is NO. Chapter 718 of Florida Statutes of the Condominium Act (1991) permits each board of administration to adopt specifications as to color, style, etc., but all specifications "shall comply with the applicable building code". The Florida statutes further state "... a board shall not refuse to approve the installation or replacement of hurricane shutters conforming to the specifications adopted by the board."
