As anyone knows, living in coastal states such as Florida can pose plenty of weather-related drama that primarily includes hurricane season. The tension for Atlantic weather-watchers begins in June and (hopefully) concludes in November. It’s not for the faint of heart, though, as those living in Florida understand the liabilities they face when Mother Nature unleashes her power.
What is known throughout southern communities is how to protect yourself from the dangers of potentially destructive hurricanes that wreak havoc on your home and property. Installing hurricane windows is one of the best defences in ensuring that your living is safe for the six months where the ocean and sky collaborate with the enormous deluge of wind and rain. Hurricanes are no joke, and if you’re considering a property purchase in South Florida, it’s worth your investment to secure your windows quality in protection.
Why is Windows the Most Important to Cover?
The alternative to boarding up windows with traditional wood has gone by the wayside, especially if you experience a continual onslaught of hurricanes and strongly-powered Atlantic storms. But there’s a proper solution to your dilemma, and it’s essential to understand why windows are the essential area of your house to cover.
The purpose of home shutters include:
- Acts as a barrier against the wind
- Protects from damaging debris that flies around
- Allows light to come in
- It can be made with a variety of materials for tropical storm wear and tear
- Made to endure extreme weather conditions
If you care about your home’s interior treasures, installing door coverings is also a good idea in addition to the window coverings.
Who Needs Window Coverings?
Hurricanes and tropical storms on the East coast, the Caribbean, and states close to the Gulf of Mexico are no stranger to unravelling lives within the timeline that the hurricane hits. Depending on the category classification of the hurricane, everyone is at risk for how much damage the wind, rain, and hail actually can do to your home and property.
The best defense is a good defense. And in this case, it’s the most sturdy and proper window coverings that guard against the strength and unpredictability of these storms. The likelihood of a hurricane impacting your state and region varies, yet most of them defy assumptions and expectations. No one truly knows how much damage can be done based on weather reports.
Therefore, if you live near any of the above-mentioned target zones, you need to consider purchasing window shutter protection for your property, perhaps even in addition to Impact-resistant windows for an extra layer of protection. It may only take one powerful storm to cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in property destruction and personal injury, yet having the wherewithal beforehand can save you countless headaches down the road.
The Overall Cost of Hurricane Windows
The positive news is that hurricane coverings and shutters do reduce energy costs in the long run. Living in one of the Atlantic or Gulf Coast states shows that the transfer of heat continually in and out of your home can significantly raise your cooling expenses throughout the year. No matter the direction your windows face, the interior of your home consistently struggles to keep the rooms cool as the sun beats down on your property.
The benefits of window coverings far outweigh the risks. For instance, having hurricane window protection offers:
- Savings on home insurance
- Protects indoor and outdoor furniture from undue sun damage
- Offers different materials and coverings to work with for added security
There is such a variety of types of window options that you might want to consider before making a decision. One key differentiator is energy efficiency — only some storm windows are Energy Star rated.
The average cost of the highest quality hurricane windows in Florida being only about 20-30% more than a standard window. That’s partly because even “standard” non-impact windows in southern Florida need to meet the state’s unique air-pressure requirements.
Factors to consider when making your hurricane window choice include style of the window, frame material, features, warranty and most importantly, energy efficiency. Your installer will also need to obtain a permit for the project.
If you live in a high-velocity hurricane zone, there’s typically a mandate to have proper impact-rated window protection that is rated for winds up to 200 mph. You will need proper hurricane protection in order to get insurance on your house.
If you’re in one of these hurricane zones and your windows do end up breaking, at least there won’t be a smattering of glass and shards that could potentially cause injury. The cost of installing proper window coverings is to mitigate the effects of torrential hurricanes more than makes up for the safety you and your family will experience.
In Conclusion
It is worth it to find the right hurricane window treatments, install them the minute you move into your home in a high-risk tropical storm zone, and have a sense of peace knowing you’ve secured your property before it’s too late.
It’s best to have a good idea of what you need and what you can afford before you make your decision. With the average cost of high quality hurricane windows being only about 20-30% more than a standard window in Florida they are a much more affordable option today than they were some years ago.
If you were previously thinking about getting both standard windows and hurricane panels — know that hurricane windows will be less expensive and provide better overall protection. Plus unlike standard windows, hurricane windows can help reduce the chance of break-ins.
The bottom line is that you want your hurricane protection to work and feel your investment pays off.