How To: Select Storm Shutters

There are growing number of businesses in coastal areas selling and installing storm shutters. As all shutters are not alike, it’s critical to get the product best suited to your needs — and equally important to be sure that your shutters are properly installed. The following are a few tips to help guide you.

• Storm shutters offer two kinds of protection. They can be designed to protect against wind pressure, debris impacts, or both. It is important to know what kind of protection you are getting.

• If the shutter is designed to withstand debris impact, look for the Dade County, FL, standard. It is a very tough standard developed for the extreme wind conditions found in South Florida. It is also appropriate for use elsewhere along the Southeast and Gulf Coasts on barrier islands, other highly exposed sites, or locations with a particularly high potential for airborne debris. Shutters designed to a lesser standard may be sufficient for locations without these high risk factors and be a more cost-effective alternative.

• Shutters should be attached to the structural framing of the house and the window or door frames. Window and door frames may themselves be inadequately attached to the structural framing to withstand extreme pressures caused by severe winds.

• Make sure all exposed metal fittings (including screws, embedded anchors, etc.) are weather- and corrosion-resistant.