What is the best way to purchase hurricane shutters?
For the Florida homeowner, hurricane protection is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Shutters are the first line of defense against an impending storm. With the many types of residential and commercial shutters available on the market, shopping can be a daunting task. However, once you understand what each shutter offers, you will find that choosing the right one for your home is relatively easy.

ACCORDION SHUTTERS:
Accordion shutters are permanently affixed to both side of an opening, be it window or door. Colors choices are available to allow blending with your home’s exterior paint. When closed, most shutters are installed to meet in the middle of the opening and can be locked from the outside. In some cases, such as with sliding glass doors, locking can be done from either inside or outside. Accordion shutters are made of rust resistant aluminum and will last for many, many years with proper care. The major appeal, aside from providing maximum security, is their durability and ease of operation. With a minimum of effort, accordion shutters roll along a permanent or removable track in a matter of a few short minutes.

ROLLUP SHUTTERS:
The rollup shutter is installed to sit above the window frame and rolls down over the opening to protect against flying debris. Rollups can be installed with either manual or electric motor options. They are easy to use, are available in custom colors and, for large windows and doors, installed with reinforcing rods to insure shutter strength.

STORM PANELS:
Storm panels are constructed of either aluminum or steel. Aluminum panels are lighter in weight, making them easier to lift and install. They are equally as durable as steel panels. Storm panels are custom cut and fitted to meet the measurements of a home’s doors and windows. The easiest installations are achieved with a top and bottom track system. However, direct mount anchoring to the structure is also available.

BAHAMA SHUTTERS:
Bahama awning shutters are installed above the window. Storm proof shutters allow no light to penetrate through the louver slats. Bahama shutters offer great strength and provide year-round protection from the sun, which, in turn, offsets cooling costs. Louvered Bahama shutters are an attractive addition to any home, providing privacy without blocking the view.

What are the chances that South Florida will be hit by a hurricane ?
Over the past 110 years, the center of a hurricane has passed within 75 miles of Miami, on average, once every 3.5 years. A major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale) once every nine years, and a Category 4 or higher (such as Hurricane Andrew) once every 15 years. These numbers may seem high, but the last 30 of the past 110 years have been a period of low hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

Should I tape my windows when a hurricane threatens?
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.

Should I put shutters over my doors ?
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.

Why should I get hurricane shutters ?
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 breeched 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.

Why should I bother with shutters if I live in an evacuation zone?
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.

What are the best kind of shutters ?
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 building code for your area.
Which ever type you decide on it is important to remember that shutters are only as good as the quality of their installation. Pioneer Hurricane Protection ensures that all shutters are installed by highly trained, experienced qualified workmen and that only quality materials that meet the building code are used.

What about the plastic film and shatter resistant windows I've heard about ?
Although these are remarkable products that are being improved every year, they are no substitute for shutters. If you have windows that for some reason, such as access, can't be shuttered then you may wish to consider using the film or installing the shatter resistant glass.
Remember that the film only protects the glass, and the frame is still under pressure and the whole window could fail. Windows with these treatments will still suffer damage from the impact of debris and may have to be replaced after a storm, whereas a shutter would take most or all of the energy of such an impact. Films and special glasses also might not meet the building code.

When is the best time to get my shutters installed ?
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 pracitcal. Keep in mind that the beginning of hurricane season may be a busy time for most installation companies. Do NOT wait until a Hurricane Watch 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 Hurricane Watch 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.

Can condominium associations prohibit shutters ?
The short answer in Florida is NO. Chapter 718 of Florida Statutes of the Comdominium 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."

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