Hurricane Shutters

1
Hurricane Shutters

• Compiled by
• Lisa Leslie
• Hillsborough County Extension Agent
• June 2006
• Contact Information
• [phone] x143
• lmleslie_at_ufl.edu

2
What is Cooperative Extension Service?

• UF/IFAS is a federal-state-county partnership
  throughout Florida.
• UF/IFAS and county governments extend the
  education and research from the University of
  Florida into the local community.
• Long tradition of helping the agricultural
  industry.
• Every county has a Cooperative Extension Office.

3
Considerations before you purchase window shutters

• Affordability
• Level of protection
• Ease of installation
• Ease of operation
• Click for a worksheet from the FL House Learning
  Center. (It is in Excel format.)

4
Recognized Product Approval

• Impact resistant glass and shutters are
  specifically designed to meet a combination of
  impact and continuous pressure from the wind.
• The new 2004 Florida Building Code (FBC) became
  effective on October 1, 2005.
• A product meets the 2004 FBC code requirements
  for impact resistance window protection, if it
  meets one of the following standards
• SSTD 12 -99
• ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996
• Miami-Dade TAS 201, 202 and 203

5
Level of Protection

• As the previous slide indicated, there are
  several different testing protocols.
• Products that meet the Miami-Dade standards offer
  maximum protection.
• You can search their county database for products
  that have been approved for use on buildings in
  Miami-Dade.
• www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode/online_product_sea
  rch.asp

6
Need to protect the whole window unit

• Equally as important as the strength of the
  glass or shutter is the strength of the windows
  frame and attachment hardware.
• An impact resistant window is tested as a unit
  that includes the glass, the frame, as well as
  the attachment hardware and the installation
  method.

Source Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
7
Window film single family homes

• Window film does NOT offer the same type of
  protection as impact resistant window systems or
  properly installed shutters.
• In the event of impact, window film may keep the
  glass together. But it is not designed to prevent
  a breach to the complete window unit.
• Window film does not qualify under the Florida
  Building Code as approved hurricane protection
  for single-family dwelling units.

Source Building Code Advisory Board,www.co.palm-
beach.fl.us/pzb/Building/bcab/docs/windowfilm01130
6.pdf
8
Permanent or Temporary Shutters

• Temporary Shutters
• Generally, corrugated panels that come in
  standard widths and can be joined to cover wider
  openings.
• Plywood
• Other materials aluminum, steel, polycarbonate
  plastic

• Permanent Shutters
• Colonial
• Roll-downs
• Accordion
• Awning
• Installed by a professional.

Source Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
9
Proper Installation

• For all shutter types, proper installation is
  crucial!
• Improper installation will compromise
  performance.
• Attached is a Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
  publication about plywood shutter installation
  Emergency Board-up (click to link)
• For further information, visit their website
• www.flash.org

10
Temporary Storm Panels
11
Temporary Storm Panels

• Pros
• Relatively inexpensive.
• Available in galvanized metal, aluminum, or
  polycarbonate panels.
• Usually available at local hardware stores.
• Easy to replace.
• Easier to handle than plywood.
• Can protect any size opening.

• Cons
• Temporary protection. (requires installation when
  hurricane warnings are issued)
• Requires storage.
• Should only be used for opening protection on
  first floors.

Source Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
12
Homeowner Instructions for Installing Temporary
Shutters

• Instructions and Tips for Homeowners
• Installing Shutter Panels with a Header Track
  Click for a publication from the St. Lucie
  County Extension Office

13
Accordion Shutters
14
Accordion Shutters

• Pros
• Permanently installed on the house.
• Easy to operate.
• Can be installed on second floor openings.

• Cons
• Aesthetics might not be desirable by some
  homeowners - since they are permanently
  installed.
• The cost of these shutters is considerably more
  than plywood or metal panel shutters.
• Must use ladder to operate on second floors.

Source Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
15
Roll-up Shutters
16
Roll-up shutters

• Pros
• Permanently installed on the house.
• Can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing- if
  they are integrated into the design of the house.
• Easy to operate from the inside of the house. No
  need to climb ladder outside to operate.
• Provides added security from break-ins.

• Cons
• Aesthetics might not be desirable by some
  homeowners.
• The cost of these shutters is considerably more
  than plywood or metal panel shutters and
  accordion shutters .

Source Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
17
Colonial Shutters
18
Colonial Shutters

• Pros
• Permanently installed on the house.
• Aesthetically pleasing.
• Easy to operate.
• Can be installed on second floor openings.

• Cons
• The cost of these shutters is considerably more
  than plywood or metal panel shutters and
  accordion shutters.
• Must use ladder to operate on second floors.

19
Impact Resistant Window Units

• Pros
• Permanently installed on the house.
• No visible difference from that of a regular
  window.
• No need to operate anything. The protection is 24
  hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Can be installed on all openings.
• Provides added security from break-ins.

• Cons
• Cost is considerably more than plywood or metal
  panel shutters and accordion shutters.
• Replacing cracked windows must be completed by
  certified installer.
• Replacing cracked windows more costly than
  regular windows.

20
Newer Products

• Fabric
• Screens
• Good option for large openings such as lanai or
  patio.
• Materials are easy to store and light weight.
• Generally two installation methods for fabric
  screen products
• Fastening around the window.
• Slanting away from the structure.

21
Fabric or Screen Products- Installation Methods

• Fastening around window unit.
• Slanting away from structure
• May be a good option for large window area that
  is tempered glass. (example sliding glass doors)
• This installation methods makes it less likely
  window will break.
• If the window does happen to break, wind rain
  can get inside.

22
Fabric product
23
Protective Screen
24
Calculating the Cost

• The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes has an
  interactive calculator to help you estimate the
  cost of hurricane shutters
• www.blueprintforsafety.org/tools/shuttertoolhome.a
  spx

25
Additional Information

• Attached is a publication from the University of
  Florida/IFAS that has a summary of window shutter
  options
• Install Window Shutters (PDF file) click here
  to link.

26
Reviewers

• Betty Alpaugh
• Program Director
• Florida House Learning Center
• Karla Lenfesty
• Windstorm Mitigation Specialist St. Lucie
  County Extension
• George Rogers
• Extension Agent III, Windstorm Damage
  Mitigation/Energy
• Escambia County Extension
• Kathleen Ruppert
• Educational Materials and Program Development
• Florida Energy Extension

27
Sources

• Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
• www.flash.org
• www.blueprintforsafety.org
• Florida House Learning Center
• http//sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/FHLC/flahouse.ht
  ml
• University of Florida Energy Extension Service

28
Sources

• A Short Lesson in Building Effective Shutters
• Stan Goldenberg
• http//www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index2.html
  
• Downloaded Nov 2005