Hurricane preparedness is a part of life for Floridians. Every year, June 1 – November 30, residents are on alert during the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Consumers have plenty of options, including hurricane shutters that are made of fabric. “Do fabric hurricane shutters really work?” is a question we often hear. In this article, we explain how they work, and look at cost, durability and installation.
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Do fabric hurricane screens or fabric hurricane shutters really work? It’s a question that more consumers are asking as more of these fabric products are coming into the market. These specialized fabric blends are the latest in hurricane protection, which now includes everything from clear panels to rolling see-through screens.
Fabric hurricane panels are not made of your typical cloth. Instead, they’re reinforced hybrid materials that undergo the rigorous tests required of hurricane protection products. That includes resistance to wind, rain and storm-driven projectiles.
Popular with consumers, fabric hurricane shutters offer an economical alternative to permanent hurricane protection products like hurricane-rated Bahama Shutters and rolling metal shutters. They are easy to use and easy to store, and those are just a couple of the advantages of investing in fabric hurricane shutters.
Consumers like the fact that these high quality, fabric screens or panels are easy to install in advance of a storm. For starters, they’re lightweight, three to eight times lighter than most metal hurricane panels. The installation takes only a fraction of the time it would take for the average homeowner to install a metal or polycarbonate storm panel. There’s no heavy equipment necessary for the installation and for most consumers it’s a one-person job.
Fabric hurricane screens are easy to maintain and store when not in use.
Fabric hurricane sceens are easy to maintain and store when not in use. Products like Fabric Shield Hurricane Panels come in a compact, hard-cardboard cylinder that can easily be stored in the garage, hall closet, or even under a bed.
Fabric hurricane panels are economical and cost a fraction of aluminum shutters. The price depends on the size of the window or door being covered, the types of anchors selected and installation requirements. Your property insurance company may offer discounts for hurricane protection, so it’s worth researching which product lines meet your needs and your budget.
With the threat of hurricane season in Florida spanning six months every year, experts advise to start small, if necessary. Begin by protecting the most vulnerable openings in your home. Those are the largest windows and doors in your home, especially bay windows, sliding glass doors and French doors. These are most susceptible to the devastating effects of storm debris.
Fabric panels are priced considerably lower than permanent shutters like hurricane-rated Bahama Shutters, and aluminum roll-down shutters. A professional will need to measure the square footage of the window and door openings to be covered, before providing you with an estimate or project quote.
The durability of fabric storm panels depends on the type of material used. As we wrote earlier, this is not your typical fabric or material. Modern technology in storm protection provides a variety of choices. The reinforced, woven mix may be coated with a synthetic PVC material, or vinyl, to provide protection despite being porous. Some screens even include threads of aramid which is the same material used in bullet-proof vests. Polypropylene fabric is another option and is 95% solid and 5% porous. It’s a combination that effectively keeps high winds and driving rain out, but allows natural light in.
EZ Max Hurricane Screens, for example, are constructed of thick polypropylene material that also blocks the sun’s damaging UV rays. The built-in UV inhibitor keeps the hurricane screen from fading and requires very little maintenance.
Another factor contributing to the strength and durability of fabric hurricane panels is the anchoring system. That’s what attaches the product to the building. EZ Max screens have a special two-inch border that is thermally welded on both sides of the fabric. The wall anchors, brackets and buckles attach to the welded edging, keeping the storm panel securely in place.
The fabric’s unique “bounce” or flexibility is another reason why it’s so durable. It can absorb the impact of storm debris without tearing. Preventing penetration into the structure is the key to protecting your home in a hurricane. Sudden changes of air pressure inside your home, caused by a break in a window or door, can jeopardize the integrity of your roof and walls.
Fabric hurricane screens are not permanently installed on your home. Unlike permanent hurricane shutters, like accordion style metal shutters or Colonial Shutters, fabric hurricane shutters or screens don’t alter the look of your home. There are no rails or shutters permanently attached to the wall.
The woven material also allows for natural light to get in, which is incredibly convenient during power outages caused by storms. Once the danger has passed and it’s time to store this hurricane protection product, minimal storage space is required. For consumers with limited storage space, that makes fabric hurricane shutters a desirable option.
When you purchase fabric storm panels, the brackets, buckles and bolts you will need are provided, as well. Each fabric panel for every opening of your home is clearly labeled to match up with the corresponding window or door. And as noted, these fabric hurricane panels are lightweight and can be installed by one-person.
Once the storm has passed, the panels can be removed by reversing the same easy steps and returned to the compact storage containers they came in. There’s no mess and they’re easily stored out of sight.
If you need more information on fabric hurricane shutters or other storm protection products, reach out to a locally owned and operated storm protection business in your area. Modern technology makes it possible for consumers to select from a variety of hurricane protection products to fit any budget. Whichever fabric hurricane shutter or hurricane protection product you select, make sure it’s Florida Building Code approved.
If you’re considering fabric hurricane shutters for your home, read this first to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this type of product. In this article, we’ll look at cost, durability, and installation. Read on to learn more about these shutters. You’ll be glad you did! Listed below are some of the pros and cons of fabric hurricane shutters. Let’s take a look at both!
Fabric hurricane shutters are the most economical hurricane protection option, but they have a few disadvantages. For starters, they require more set-up time in advance of a storm, which means you or someone you trust must be on-site to access and deploy your fabric hurricane screens on all of your openings. While fabric is a good temporary option for protecting windows from hurricanes, it’s not as time-saving as permanent hurricane protection options. Incompatibility with the home’s construction and low visibility are other disadvantages that some consumers have identified.
However, the benefits of fabric hurricane shutters far outweigh these drawbacks. Here are five of the biggest advantages of the hurricane grade fabric screens.
A high-quality fabric screen or panel is lightweight, easy to maintain, and can withstand impact. Also commonly referred to as “fabric hurricane shutters,” they are easier to handle and store than steel panels. Rolling shutters are louvered panels that are stored permanently over the span of the window and are manually deployed and stored. On the other hand, accordion shutters are hinged and louvered panels permanently mounted beside the opening. This feature helps make them more convenient to install and maintain, and it can also be operated remotely.
How much do fabric hurricane shutters cost? The cost of fabric hurricane shutters depends on several factors. Below, we outline the main factors that affect the price of this type of shutter. You can also get an estimate yourself by contacting two or three contractors in your area. To get an accurate price estimate, you can compare the prices of different companies. Once you’ve established the amount that you can afford to spend on hurricane shutters, you can make an informed decision about the best solution for your home.
There are two main types of hurricane screens: storm panels and clamshell shutters. Storm panels are more affordable, but they need to be manually installed. Clamshell shutters, which are made from impact-resistant metal awnings, are easy to use and install. They’re commonly found in South Florida and are very durable. In addition to providing excellent hurricane protection, clamshell shutters can help keep your home safe from looters.
The durability of fabric hurricane shutters depends on the type of material used. The panels in panel-style shutters must be manually hung in advance of a hurricane, while roll-down shutters have motor-powered controls. These shutters require more maintenance because of their electrical components. Fabric hurricane shutters are more affordable than other hurricane shutter types. Fabric shutters may be a more expensive option, but they do offer superior protection and are very easy to install.
AstroGuard Hurricane Fabric, a type of storm fabric, is tested and proven to protect homes from Category 5 Hurricanes. It blocks 100% of the wind and rain. Its Patented Clip System enables it to be opened for replacement screen versus other fabric hurricane shutters, which require the entire installation. Unlike solid hurricane shutters, fabric shutters require minimal storage space. This option is ideal for homes with limited space.
Are you interested in learning more about hurricane window screens? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
If you’re unsure about whether or not you need to hire a professional to install your fabric hurricane shutters, here are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, consider the type of shutter you need. While panel-style shutters must be manually hung before a storm, roll-down shutters are motorized. The latter require more maintenance since they have more moving parts. Regardless of whether you choose roller shutters or fabric hurricane shutters, you’ll want to know how to install them before a storm hits.
Hurricane Fabric is a unique type of hurricane fabric that exceeds the capabilities of its competitors in the market. This unique material outperforms polypropylene and other traditional shutters by a long shot. Its revolutionary anchoring system, which features military-grade flex anchors, ensures material integrity at the anchoring points and allows for a dynamic approach to debris absorption. Fabric hurricane shutters are available in several colors and are easy to install.
Do you live in an area like Southwest Florida? If so you are definitely familiar with tropical storms and hurricanes. It’s no secret. The coastal areas of Florida are prone to severe weather. So, as you know, having proper storm protection in place is critical in order to protect your home and family. But when it comes to hurricane protection there are a slew of options to pick from. In fact, there are so many options of hurricane shutters and impact windows the choice can seem overwhelming.
One hurricane protection product that is popular in Florida, especially for outdoor spaces are hurricane screens. In this guide we’ll discuss the Pros & Cons of Hurricane Screens so you can decide if they are the right choice for your home and family.
You may also find the guides below helpful if you are considering other products:
The Pros & Cons of Roll Down Shutters
The Pros & Cons of Hurricane Fabric
Table of contents
Hurricane screens are a type of permanent hurricane protection, which are installed on your home or business.
They are typically used to cover larger areas, such as openings near your pool and other outdoor spaces. This is because they are more suitable for large (wide) openings vs on individual windows and doors.
If you are an appropriately licensed contractor in your city or county you can consider installing the screens yourself. However, they are precisely designed and engineered systems that do require proper measurement, fabrication, and installation.
So if you are not a licensed contractor or you just want to let the experts do it you may consider having a trusted hurricane shutters company do the install for you.
Below are some of the Pros & Cons of hurricane screens.
Hurricane screens open and close quickly and easily. This is true whether you have automatic screens or manual screens. Opening and close them can be done in less than a minute in most cases. This means you can prepare your home quickly. It also means you can get shade or sun quickly.
One of the biggest PROS of hurricane screens vs most types of shutters is that you can see through them. This is because they are made of a mesh vs a rigid material. This is helpful because you can see what’s going on outside when they are closed. It is also helpful because it lets natural light through, even as they are providing shade and blocking out UV. This makes screens more functional and enjoyable than many hurricane shutters that black out your space when they are closed.
Storm screens are a great fit for wide openings. They can be used for openings as wide as 360″ depending on the location of the installation. That means you can create some pretty sleek protective coverings with minimal breaks, even when used for very large openings.
Screens have a smaller housing box vs. other rolling type shutters. This is because they are thinner and made from fabric vs solid aluminum. This is great for people that do not favor the look of big housing boxes. They are less visible and take up less real estate on your house.
Hurricane screens are not the cheapest hurricane protection. But they are also not the most expensive. The thing that should be noted is that they offer a lot of value (bang for the buck). They are attractive, easy to use, and super effective in terms of hurricane protection. But they also serve as outdoor shade screens, which many folks install on their homes anyways. In turn, you are getting two products, with two separate functions for the price of one.
You want your hurricane protection to look good. At the very least, you want it to match or blend with the look of your home so it doesn’t detract. And this is easy to accomplish with Eurex Shutters PTX™ Hurricane Screens. This is because they are offered in several color options, which means they will match your home’s style and color scheme nicely.
You can choose from black, beige/white, beige/black, and all white. These combinations should work well with most homes in Southwest Florida. This is true regardless of your paint color scheme or home’s style.
Some hurricane shutters help protect your home from intruders. Screens offer other benefits and functionality. But they do not offer as much in terms of security protection. While this may not be a big concern for many it is still something to consider.
Hurricane screens have some flex (they are flexible). In other words they are not tight and rigid. They also roll up and down. These factors mean they experience wrinkling over time. Again, while not a huge concern for some it is something to take into consideration.
Some types of hurricane protection can be used on every openings on your entire home. Others cannot. Hurricane screens fall into the “cannot” bucket. They are best suited for wide openings, such as lanais and outdoor spaces vs individual windows and doors. But if your windows and doors are behind your screens they will be protected.
There is not shortage of options when it comes to storm protection. So how do you pick the right option? Do your research and understand the pros and cons of each type. Choosing the right one for your Florida home will depend on your needs and preferences. But regardless of which storm products you choose make sure you have the necessary protection in place to keep your home and family safe.
If you need help picking which type is right you can check out or guide on how to pick the best hurricane shutters. Or feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
Or call (239) 369- for immediate service.
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