Hurricanes are tropical storms that have the capability to destroy coastal homes. While protecting one’s family and property from the damage a hurricane can be a challenge, it is not impossible. There are many preventative measures that can be taken to cut back on damage that could occur to your belongings.
One of the most basic places to start a reasonable, pragmatic home hurricane defense system is to shield the windows to your home. Hurricane winds can far exceed 100 miles per hour and can cause flying trees, yard decorations, and airborne metals to sail through your unprotected windows causing hundreds of thousands of dollars of property damage. There are numerous choices as far as window protection and there are many options and considerations to think about when choosing your window fortification. You must contemplate the overall product design, what merchandise offers the best protection, has the highs safety ratings, are uncomplicated and easy to open and shut, the size of the window and are that needs specific protection, and how much the window security will cost, including installation. Each window shield offers a specific wind speed protection rating. Additionally, you should allow only licensed professionals to install the hurricane window protection products. This is not a time to worry about saving a few bucks to install the window units yourself. Be sure you obtain to required building permits from your county or government office.
There are various types of hurricane windows including Accordion shutters, Bahama shutters, Roll down shutters, storm panels and impact resistant glass. Accordion shutters are intended to offer protection to sliding glass doors, balconies and windows. They are easy to open and close, making the versatile and simple for the elderly and the disabled. These Accordion shutters can have additional locking pins inserted into them to enhance their permanence and strength offering further protection.
Bahama shutters attach to the exterior of a window frame and are kept open when they are not being used. These shutters are comprised of allow, stainless steel and aluminum, and offer hurricane protection, shade from the sun, sustain home security and defend against heavy rain and wind storms. These shutters are also easy to open and close and provide protection for mobile homes, office buildings, condominiums, pools, and patios.
Roll Down shutters are shutters that actually have an automatic or hand-cranked release where the shutters release, move down an installed track and are very effective protecting against strong hurricane winds, keeping out the harmful sun rays, and are best for enclosed porches and patios.
The most innovative new form of hurricane windows is impact resistance glass. This lamented glass is made of two panels of clear glass that are attached with an interlayer of plastic. This special bond helps prevent glass from breaking against strong hurricane winds, tornadoes, and of course, would-be thieves. This glass must be installed by professionals with window frames strong enough to help resist winds. This type of glass has already passed tests where wind force has far exceeded 80 miles per hour.
After you have decided on your specific hurricane window protection, you should anticipate a county or government representative to inspect the window protection units. They will have to adhere to the precise county and state regulations. In addition, these delegates will double check and ensure the installation process is acceptable. Another quick step is to contact your insurance agent and have them inspect the new hurricane protection additions to your home. This will make a substantial difference in your insurance and in most cases will result in lower insurance payments!
There are many advantages to installing hurricane windows. The first of which is they are permanent. You will never have to worry about dropping everything you are doing during a hurricane warning to run out and install window protection shutters on your windows. Most hurricane windows also cut down on overall energy costs, and can qualifying you for a special tax credit. Hurricane windows also offer a more secure home, contributing to the total defense system of your home, giving you increased peace of mind while you are away.