Everything you Need to Know About Hurricane Shutters in Sarasota FL
As a resident in the Sarasota area, it is essential that you are knowledgeable about the benefits and features of different kinds of hurricane shutters. With a long and potentially robust storm season every year, your Sarasota home is at risk of damage from high winds and water. Shutters is your best line of defense against the elements.
To start, you should be aware of how hurricane shutters in Sarasota FL work, and what your options are. Here is a summary:
What are Hurricane Shutters?
Essentially, hurricane shutters especially withstand extremely high winds (i.e., the kind that you’d experience in a hurricane). They are designed to survive the impact of debris (trees, housing material, etc.) that is traveling at high speed. Shutters protect your windows and keep you and your family safe. A broken window might seem like a small problem, but it can turn into a much bigger one.
Hurricane Shutter Installation
Some hurricane shutters in Sarasota FL can be installed by the average homeowner. However, given the time that it takes to do it properly, as well as the importance of the job that hurricane shutters accomplish, installation is a job best left to the professionals.
Types of Hurricane Shutters in Sarasota FL
Not all hurricane shutters in Sarasota, FL, are created equal. You should select shutters based on your budget, style of home, desired aesthetic, and ease of use.
Accordion shutters are one of the most popular options for shutters. They are a permanent fixture on your home and are bolted right on the side of your windows. One of the biggest bonuses with this type of hurricane shutter is that they open and close easily, much like an accordion. They are custom-fit as well.
Nautilus Rolling shutters are similar to accordion shutters in that they are permanent fixtures to your windows. They are motorized protection systems that function with ease as a storm is approaching and are one of the most compacts in the market. Made of durable aluminum, Nautilus roll shutters are a must this hurricane season.
Bahamas shutters or Colonial shutters are suitable for fashion and function. Although from a design perspective, you don’t see these as much as hurricane shutters in Sarasota, FL, they are sturdy and reliable. They come in wood and aluminum and are permanent fixtures to your windows. One of the appeals with this type of hurricane shutter is that they are decorative and can be painted a variety of colors.
Other Benefits
In addition to protecting your windows and your home during a storm, hurricane shutters provide other benefits year-round.
- Provide extra shade and privacy.
- Help with security.
- Block out unwanted noise.
- Even help with energy efficiency.
Don’t Use Plywood!
You often see homeowners nailing plywood over their windows as hurricane shutters in Sarasota Fl. While this can be effective in a pinch, it isn’t a good long-term strategy to protect your home. Plywood isn’t as durable and won’t withstand winds in the same way that hurricane shutters will. However, nailing plywood up over windows is better than nothing.
Should Every Window Have Hurricane Shutters?
It is advisable to have all of your windows protected with hurricane shutters in Sarasota, FL. This is because all of your windows could potentially be affected, not just the ones facing the water. If even one of your windows breaks, the rest of your home is at risk. When windows break during a hurricane, not only will your home and your belongings potentially suffer damage from rain and storm surge, your roof might lift-off. Or other structural damage might occur. That is because the pressure of the wind, entering a broken window, has nowhere to go but up, and travels with tremendous pressure.
Impact Glass
For extra protection, consider installing impact windows to go along with your hurricane shutters. Their break-resistant design, coupled with the additional protection of hurricane shutters in Sarasota, FL, means the highest level of protection against hurricane-force winds. That’s peace of mind when it comes to the safety of your home and your family.
Maintaining Your Hurricane Shutters
Maintaining your hurricane shutters is a pretty straightforward process. First, you want to inspect everything. Make sure all parts are moving smoothly, and nothing makes any strange noises. You want to exercise your shutters at least once a month to ensure everything is okay. If it’s not, you will catch the problem before its too late and a hurricane already on its way. After you make sure all parts are correctly working, look to see if any debris is lodged into the tracks. Once the debris is removed and components are working smoothly its wash time. When washing your shutters remember to use soft soaps and brushes. Abrasive brushes and harsh chemicals will damage your aluminum. Lastly, when everything’s all cleaned, remember to lube up. Use a silicone-based lube on the tracks and lubricate thumbscrews twice a year.
When Should You Put Up Hurricane Shutters in Sarasota, FL?
Ideally, regardless of the type of shutter, it is preferable and easier to have them installed when your home is constructed, rather than retrofitting them. When do you actually draw them shut? To be safe, you should pull hurricane shutters across your windows two days before the expected arrival of a storm in the Sarasota area.