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1. What is a Hurricane Shutter?
Storm shutters are systems designed to limit damage to window and door openings caused by high winds and flying projectiles. Commonly, they are popular in coastal areas, but storm shutters are rapidly growing in popularity in all areas threatened by high winds, hurricane conditions, or tornados.
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2. How long will it take to receive my shutters?
During Hurricane Season, lead times are a moving target. We will do everything in our power to deliver a quality product as fast as we can.
The typical timeframe from the time we receive your signed estimate to the time your shutters are installed is:
| Accordions: | 12 - 14 weeks |
| Roll Downs: |
10 - 12 weeks |
| Bahama & Colonials: | 14 - 16 weeks |
| Clear Storm Panels: | 10 - 12 weeks |
| Aluminum Storm Panels: | 6 - 8 weeks |
| Storm Screens: |
12 - 14 weeks |
This holds true from May to October; however, lead times may be shorter during the off-season. We have seen a large increase over the last couple of years in orders for off-season delivery -
the word is out that this is truly the only way to ensure delivery and installation prior to the storm season.
We expect this trend to continue.
Please place your orders with the above lead times in mind.
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3. What are your payment terms?
All storm and decorative shutters are custom made. In order to place your order, we require a 50% deposit and the remaining balance is due upon installation completion.
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4. Why Buy Shutters?
Asthetics
Shutters from Gulf Coast Shutter are custom made to beautify your home for years to come. Decorative shutters provide "that finishing touch"- they complete your home!
Protection:
Your family, your possessions, your home investment - storm shutters from Gulf Coast Shutter let you sleep at night with the knowledge that you have done your level best to protect all three.
Insulation:
Shutters from Gulf Coast Shutter may save you money now and later. Your energy cost may go down because of the insulation value of shutters.
Resale Value:
The resale value of your home can actually increase because shutters and
proven
hurricane protection systems are so desirable.
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5. Why Should I have a Hurricane/Storm Protection System?
Your Treasures. See above. Family, belongings, home investment. Storm shutters, like insurance, is a responsible investment to protect what"s important in your life.
Legislation. The coastal areas of the US are rapidly requiring storm protection on
all
new homes and even homes that are undergoing a major remodel. Check with your local building department to determine your local requirements. Florida has already passed legislation requiring this protection. You may find your municipality will be doing the same.
Reduced Insurance Costs. More insurance companies are offering significant discounts for homes that have rated hurricane protection over all window and door openings. Check with your insurance company for specific details.
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6. How much protection do Storm Shutters provide?
Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew were instrumental in an industry-wide upgrade of the standards for "storm shutters". Standard building codes require a product to withstand 110 M.P.H. winds. The "newer standard", commonly called ASCE-7-88, increases the wind-load standard plus adds a positive and negative wind loads test and a positive and negative "cycling test" plus an "impact test". The new standards are much more stringent and expensive to satisfy but do provide a real degree of protection. The Florida counties that have formally adopted many of the new standards are Dade, Broward, Palm Beach & Monroe counties
– thus the “Dade County rated” stamp of approval all of our storm protection systems adhere to.
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7. Should I only protect the openings facing the water?
Hurricane protection only works if the building remains intact. Leaving any windows or doors unprotected during a hurricane exposes your home to a total loss from the extreme pressure change caused when a window or door implodes from hurricane winds.
When this happens, your roof becomes vulnerable to complete separation from your home due to the pressure differentials as the high winds pass over the roof, resulting in total destruction.
Bottom Line? While no hurricane protection system can guarantee 100% protection in the most severe storms, history has shown that those with the foresight to protect all the glazed openings of their homes have faired much better than those who have chosen to "pick and choose" the openings to be protected, or those who have chosen no protection at all.
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8. The prevailing winds are from the south at my home. Should I install shutters on the south side only?
See #5 above. The real protection from Hurricane force winds and wind driven projectiles must be applied to ALL openings regardless of the "prevailing" winds in your area. When Andrew, Ivan, Dennis, and Wilma struck Florida there was no such thing as "prevailing" winds. The tornados and heavy winds struck from every direction.
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9. How do I design my new project to include Storm Protection or Decorative Shutters?
Most architects have knowledge of both decorative and storm shutters but find it difficult to stay on top of new technological developments in every industry they must work with.
Since shutters is all we do,
Gulf Coast Shutter stays on the "cutting edge" and will provide consulting on any project you may have. Refer your architect to us for assistance in designing an efficient, complete
decorative shutter and storm protection
package for your home or business.
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