#hurricaneprotection Archives - 1st Choice Hurricane Protection

Hurricane Shutters vs. Impact Doors: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home

SEO Vectra on October 30, 2024

When you live in a hurricane-prone area, keeping your home well-protected from storm damage becomes vital. Two of the most popular options for hurricane protection are hurricane shutters and impact doors. While both these options offer great protection, they come with different benefits and limitations. So, which is the right choice for your home? Let’s take a closer look at their benefits and limitations to help you decide.

Hurricane Shutters

Hurricane shutters are designed to cover windows and doors, offering comprehensive protection from the harsh winds and flying debris that come with hurricanes. These shutters are available in various styles such as accordion, roll-down and storm panels.

Benefits:

Affordability: Hurricane shutters are usually less expensive than impact doors, which makes them a great budget-friendly option.
Versatility: They are quite versatile and come in several styles, so you can choose the type that best fits your home’s style and needs.
Effective Protection: These shutters provide a strong defense against flying projectiles and high-pressure winds, protecting your windows and doors from shattering.
Easy to Replace: If your shutters get damaged during a storm then you can easily replace them as their replacement cost is more affordable than replacing regular windows or doors.
Temporary Solution: These shutters provide a flexible option, you can quickly deploy them when necessary and remove them afterward, making them a great option for seasonal protection.

Limitations:

Blocked Visibility: When shutters are deployed, they block out the natural light and reduce outside visibility, This can make your home feel closed off during a storm.
Manual Effort: You have to install and remove shutters every time a hurricane approaches, this can be time-consuming and physically demanding.
No Long-Term Benefits: Shutters only offer protection during hurricanes and don’t provide any insulation or energy-saving benefits for your home.
Storage: If you choose to opt for removable shutters such as storm panels, you’ll need to make some space to store them when they are not in use.

Impact Doors

Impact doors are a more permanent solution, these doors are built to withstand the force of hurricanes while also offering year-round benefits. These doors are made from reinforced materials such as laminated glass and heavy-duty frames to provide superior protection.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Protection: Impact doors protect the entire entry point, including the door and frame. They act as a strong barrier against high winds and flying projectiles.
Year-Round Benefits: These doors help improve insulation, thus reducing energy bills and elevating your home’s security. These additional benefits make them beneficial even when it’s not hurricane season.
Aesthetic Appeal: These doors are available in a wide range of styles, you can look at the available options and choose a style that adds both beauty and value to your home.
Convenience: As they are a permanent solution, once these doors have been installed, you don’t have to worry about deploying them just before a storm. Impact doors are always there to protect your home.
Insurance Savings: Many insurance companies offer premium discounts for homes that have impact doors installed as these doors keep homes well-protected.

Limitations:

Higher Initial Cost: Impact doors are more expensive than shutters, so they might not fit everyone’s budget, especially for larger homes that have multiple entry points.
Complex Installation: Installing these doors is complex and requires professional expertise, which can add to the overall cost.
Repairs Can Be Costly: Although these doors are extremely durable, repairs and replacements after a severe storm can be more expensive than fixing damaged shutters.
Not Fully Indestructible: While impact doors are known for their robust build, they can still get damaged during extremely severe hurricanes, thus requiring maintenance over time.

Which Option Is Best for You?

The best choice between hurricane shutters and impact doors depends on your unique needs and budget. If you are looking for a cost-effective, seasonal solution then installing hurricane shutters would be better for you. However, before installing them you must consider whether you mind the effort of installing and removing them before each storm season.

If you are seeking year-round protection, energy savings and convenience then impact doors are better suited for you. Although they are more expensive up front, these doors offer continuous security and insulation benefits, thus making them a smart long-term investment.

Contact 1st Choice Hurricane Protection for the installation of high-quality hurricane shutters and impact doors in Fort Myers FL. Our professional team is here to provide professional installation and advice to keep your home safe during storm season.

Hurricane Roll Down Shutters in Shadowood Preserve

SEO Vectra on August 10, 2015

This Hurricane Roll Down Shutter was installed to protect the residents of Shadowood Preserve in Fort Myers,Fl

As you can see you can be sure to match your shutters to a similar color of your home. You can operate your new shutters either from the inside or outside of your home with a remote control. You can also crank it just in case there is a power outage.

Here you see the Hurricane Roll Down Shutters in the Downward position. These Shutters are allowing the lanai area to be protected from flying debris allowing any furniture to remain cleaned during a storm.

Dont wait till last minute! Be prepared and protected ahead of time.

Give us a call at 239-325-3400 and let our friendly and knowledgeable staff help you with your project today!

Storm Surges Are The Deadliest Hazard Associated With Hurricanes

SEO Vectra on June 17, 2015

A storm Surge caused by a hurricane is one of the things we need to know about and understand, afterall, it is the deadliest effect we are left with during these tropical hurricanes

Here is a great video by the U.S. National Weather Service. It’s about Storm Surges, get to know our biggest threat!

Hurricane Roll Down Shutters and Clear Panels Installed in the Reserve in Estero, FL

SEO Vectra on December 29, 2014

This Roll Down Shutter and Clear Panel installation is a great combination of hurricane protection for any home. Having the roll downs on your lanai keeps you from needing to move furniture in and out every season or every storm, and the clear panels on all other openings prevents your view from being obstructed.

The photo above shows one of the lanai openings that is protected by a roll down shutter which is currently in the up position.

This photo shows the same lanai opening but with the shutter in the down position.

Clear Panel with Protective Film being removed in Estero, FL

This photo shows the clear panel once it has been installed on the opening and is having the white film taken off. The white film is actually a protective covering that is put on the panels to prevent any damage or scratches prior to installation.

Give our friendly and knowledgeable staff a call to schedule a FREE in home consultation at 239-325-3400 or click the little flashing clip board guy at the top of each page and send us your info.

Hurricane Roll Down Shutter Installation at The Beachmoor Condominium in Naples, Florida.

SEO Vectra on November 17, 2014

High Rise condominium hurricane Roll Down Shutters is one of our niche specialties that put us at the top of the list. Beachfront property needs and deserves to be protected from all that mother nature throws at it.

The photo above shows that even with strong and updated hurricane protection, the view is still left intact.

There is that million dollar view! We connect the shutters together in a miter to make it look seamless.

This is during the installation process, getting everything lines up right and matched with the screen to maximize the view.

Here is the other side of the lanai. Again, the million dollar view 🙂 These shutters have electric motors that can be raised or lowered with the push of a button on the wireless remote control. A very nice feature when using the shutter as a sunshade, keeping the right height to block the sun from blinding you on those evenings sitting out in the gulf breeze.

Highrise condo Hurricane Roll Shutter Naples Florida

Boom! When you’re away or out of town for the hurricane season, shut them all the way and not only be protected, but keep your balcony furnishings from getting sun faded and filthy.

Give our friendly and knowledgeable staff a call to schedule a FREE in home consultation at 239-325-3400 or click the little flashing clip board guy at the top of each page and send us your info.

New Construction Hurricane Protection Metal Panels On A New Home on Serrano Circle in Naples FL

SEO Vectra on October 29, 2014

Hurricane Protection using Metal Panels on new construction homes is a specialty service we offer to builders and contractors, working with their timeframes and schedules.

In this photo you can see we protected the entire side of the home from hurricane force winds and wind blown debris from smashing the windows. A nice clean and straight installation.

Here is the opposite side of the home with more metal panels for the required hurricane protection. Builders and contractors select us because of our great price point and excellent service. We understand the needs of a home builder and get in and out when you need us

This picture shows a larger opening in the back of the home protected by metal panels. This type of hurricane protection is functional and cost effective.

We also protected the non impact transom window over the front door. The door is impact rated and additional protection is not required.

Once the panels are all installed and photos are taken, they are numbered and listed on a floor plan for easy deployment when a hurricane threatens us. We are sure to include extra fasteners because we know you might lose a few throughout the years these metal panels will service and protect your new home.

Take a minute, pick up the phone and dial 239-325-3400 and let us bid your next project.

Hurricane Roll Shutters Installed on a Remodel on Murex Drive in Naples, FL

SEO Vectra on October 22, 2014

Roll Shutters are installed to protect the furniture, window and door openings from hurricane force winds and wind driven debris.

This is a remodel that we installed roll shutters on. You can see in the photo the pool is still not complete, however you can see this is a great use of a Roll Shutter.

This photo is the same as the one above, but the shutters are in the down position. Imagine all the furniture you would now be able to keep in place, only to have it look new, stay cleaner, and not be blown around in hurricane force winds.

Same job, same shutters, just a different angle. I love the look of this job, clean and modern.

Here are the Roll Shutters in the down position. Clean, Clean, Clean 😉

Give our knowlegable staff a call to help you prepair for your new Hurricane Roll Shutters. 239-325-3400

Hurricane Roll Shutters Installed on an existing home on Marco Island FL

SEO Vectra on September 8, 2014

This job was installed by 1st Choice Windows and Shutters LLC at the end of August 2014.

Here you can see the roll Down Shutter covering both sliding glass doors in the pool area. The one on the left only goes a little higher than the door since the ceiling is sloped. The second shutter is all the way to the ceiling making it feel for substantial, and will look better when the shutter is open! You can also notice clear hurricane panels installed on the mitered glass window on the right. Clear panels are the best in this application, easy to deploy, can see out and lets light in. The angled window makes it hard for other shutters to be installed, but clear panels go right up 🙂

In this photo, you can see what we call a track on wall installation. This simply means the tracks that the shutter slats are guided through are mounted directly to a wall. This installation method is the simplest and offers the least amount of bulk to your new Roll Shutters. Roll Shutters on Marco Island FL.

You can see more track on wall Roll Down Shutters in this picture. You can also notice a universal at the top left of each box. This is to attach a hand crank to be able to manually open and close the shutters without electricity in case of a power outage. Otherwise, a wireless handheld remote control can operate the shutters from inside or out.

Give us a call and we will help you through the process in getting your home protected! 239-325-3400

Hurricane Roll Down Shutter Installation on New Construction Home in Marco Island, FL

SEO Vectra on March 25, 2014

This Hurricane Roll Down Shutter Installation was completed on a new construction home for one of our high end home builder clients. The home is located on Barfield Dr. in Marco Island, FL and the finished product turned out spectacular.

This Photo is of Hurricane Roll Down Shutters on the rear of the home enclosing the lanai. By using roll shutters to enclose the lanai, the home owner’s furniture is protected during a storm. it also alleviates the need to move all the patio furniture during a hurricane to keep it from being damaged or becoming a wind bore projectile.

These two photos are of the front of the home, the first picture is with the shutter in the up position, retaining the beauty of the architecture and entry. The second picture is with the shutter in the down position, giving full protection from not only a hurricane, but also a break in. At the push of a button, this huge shutter i automatically lowered into position, and with another push, it is raised.