Hurricane season is quickly approaching and one of your biggest fears may be that the windows in your house might break in a strong wind. Broken windows let in wind and rain, and even the glass can be a pain to clean up. Luckily, storm shutters are a product that can go a long way towards protecting your windows when those gale-force winds roll in. However, you might have a few questions you want to have answered before you have those storm shutters installed.
1. Do you need to get storm shutters on every window?
If you have the money to do so, this would definitely be ideal. Even windows that are not located in the direction of the prevailing winds could become damaged if a branch bounces off of something and crashes into them. Plus, hurricanes can send up winds in any direction.
If you are on a limited budget and cannot afford storm shutters for every window, then at least put them on the windows facing the direction the wind blows most often. In most areas, the wind blows from east to west, so storm shutters are most important on your east-facing windows.
2. What material should your storm shutters be made from?
You'll see storm shutters made from steel, aluminum, and even vinyl. If you live in a hurricane zone, you should really avoid the vinyl ones, as these are not strong enough to withstand the heaviest winds. Aluminum ones are easier to install because they are lighter and they tend to be more affordable. However, steel offers the ultimate protection if you can afford its higher price tag.
3. Do you need to have the shutters professionally installed?
Most companies will list two prices on their storm shutters. One price includes installation and the lower price does not. While you may be tempted to save money by installing the shutters yourself, this is not the smartest approach. It's better to pay a little more and have the professionals put the shutters up so you're confident they won't blow off when a storm rolls in.
4. Will your homeowners' insurance rates go down with storm shutters?
They probably will, especially if you put the shutters on all of your windows. Storm shutters reduce the risk of catastrophic home damage, so presumably, they reduce the chance that your insurance company will have to pay out on a claim. They pass some of those savings on to you.
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