Preparing for a Hurricane
Whether the storm is big or small, it's always important to be stocked and prepared. This is a complete reference guide for deciding on the purchases that are right for you, setting it all up and making sure you have all the bases covered. If there is a reference guide you would like but do not see here, please contact us.
Choosing the right type of shutter
A combination of shutter types can be used to protect a home against hurricane winds.
Questions to ask when shopping for shutters: What is your price range? Will you be installing the shutters yourself? How easy are they to use? Where and how will you store them?
Consider, too, the window's height and location. Second-story windows need shutters that can be closed from inside.
Be sure that shutters carry the Miami-Dade County hurricane product approval seal.
For a comprehensive list of licensed contractors and shutters approved for high velocity hurricane zones by the Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office, go to miamidade.gov/buildingcode or dial 311 to have a county representative help you. Broward County abides by Miami-Dade's standards.
Prices include installation.
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| TYPE OF SHUTTER | Impact-resistant glass | Colonial shutters | Bahama shutters | Hurricane screens | Lexan clear plastic panels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE | $30-150 per square ft. | $22-28 per square ft. | $22-28 per square ft. | $10-20 per square ft. | $12-16 per square ft. |
| PROS | Attractive, permanent; adds security | Side-hinged and easy to use; attractive | Easy to use; provides shade, security | Some are permanently installed; adds security | Lighter, transparent |
| CONS | Expensive; can dent | Must close, open from outside | Obscures view permanently | Impractical for small windows. Some must be put up for each storm. | May not work with all systems; must be put up and taken down. |
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| TYPE OF SHUTTER | Roll-up shutters | Accordion shutters | Steel panels | Aluminum panels | Plywood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE | $32-36 per square ft. (+ $300-500 if motorized) | $12-17 per square ft. | $4-8 per square ft. (direct mount or tracks) | $5-9 per square foot | About $14 for 4- x 8-foot sheet of plywood only |
| PROS | Ideal for hard-to-reach areas. Easy to use | Can be shut, opened quickly from inside house; can be locked for security | Sturdy, inexpensive | Lighter, but an 84-inch door panel still weighs 13.3 pounds | Inexpensive |
| CONS | Expensive; box can be unsightly if not built-in | Needs yearly cleaning, lubrication | Heavy. An 84-inch door panel weighs 17.3 pounds | Must be put up, taken down every storm; sharp edges | Time and labor intensive; risk of flying off if not installed correctly |
How to install plywood (return to top)
Plywood hurricane shutters can be far more effective when they are installed inside window frames instead of nailed into walls, hurricane experts said.
THE CORRECT WAY
By cutting the plywood to fit snugly inside window frames, the wind is far less able to get underneath and tear it away. The wood should be attached to the inside of the window sill using barrel bolts (pictured at left). This style performed well even in 1992's devastating Hurricane Andrew. It should work on any window frame at least two inches deep.
THE GOOD ALTERNATIVE
- For concrete block walls, use lead-sleeve anchors.
- Use 2 1/2-inch long bolts and screws.
- Use CDX plywood at least 5/8 inch thick.
- Place plywood over window, allowing a 4-inch overlap on each side.
- Space bolts or screws 12 to 18 inches apart.
THE WRONG WAY
Some people install homemade wood shutters by nailing plywood to the outside of window frames. This might survive weaker hurricanes, but strong winds can seep under and pull the plywood off, removing any protection.
TIPS
- Use exterior plywood and 3- or 4-inch heavy-duty barrel bolts.
- Set plywood in 2 inches deep.
- Have bolts in the center of each side of the frame to keep it secure. For larger windows, use one bolt every two feet.
- The holes in the window frame should be just large enough for the bolt.
- Measure every side of the window frame for a snug fit.
- Use 2x4 lumber or full-length piano hinges to connect pieces of plywood for extremely large windows, such as sliding glass doors.
- Waterproof with varnish or paint.