10 Things to Consider When Buying hurricane window screens

When hurricane season arrives, protecting your home becomes crucial. Windows are especially vulnerable during storms, facing intense wind and debris. Broken windows can lead to severe damage, allowing wind and water to enter your home. Protecting your windows is essential to minimize destruction during hurricanes. This article explores the best protection options for windows, focusing on the effectiveness of hurricane screens.

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Understanding Hurricane Risks

Hurricanes bring strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris that can damage unprotected windows. Wind speeds during hurricanes can exceed 150 mph, turning everyday objects into dangerous projectiles. These projectiles can shatter windows, exposing your home to more damage. A broken window can increase internal pressure, leading to potential roof or wall damage. Having a reliable solution for window protection is crucial during hurricanes. Proper window protection could save you from extensive repairs or even total home loss.

Common Window Protection Options

Several methods exist for protecting windows from hurricanes. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks. Let’s review the most common options:

1. Plywood BoardsPlywood boards are a cheap, traditional way to protect windows. Many people use plywood when a storm approaches. It is easy to find at hardware stores and can be cut to size. However, installing plywood requires effort and time, which may not be feasible with little warning. Plywood is also not reusable, meaning you need new boards each hurricane season. Repeated use of plywood can damage window frames, leading to additional repair costs.
2. Hurricane ShuttersHurricane shutters are a popular option for window protection. They come in various styles, like roll-down, accordion, and Bahama shutters. Roll-down shutters offer excellent protection with the push of a button. Accordion shutters are manually operated but still provide a sturdy barrier. Bahama shutters offer shade and storm protection but less strength than other types. While hurricane shutters protect well, they can be bulky and unattractive for some homeowners. Installing them can also be cumbersome, especially for large homes.
3. Impact-Resistant WindowsImpact-resistant windows withstand strong winds and flying debris. They are made with multiple glass layers and a strong plastic interlayer. While these windows provide excellent protection, they are expensive to install and replace. Costs can reach thousands of dollars, depending on home size and window quantity. Even impact-resistant windows are not indestructible and can sustain damage in extreme conditions. Replacing these windows can become a significant expense after a severe storm.
4. Storm PanelsStorm panels are removable sheets made from metal or polycarbonate. They offer good protection but require effort to install. These panels are mounted on tracks or bolted directly to the house. While effective, they can block light and are challenging to store. Installing storm panels often requires teamwork, making them less convenient for many homeowners.

Why Hurricane Screens Are the Best Protection for Windows

Hurricane screens stand out as the best choice for window protection during hurricanes. Here’s why:

1. Superior Protection Against Wind and DebrisHurricane screens are made from strong materials like Kevlar® or synthetic fabrics. They withstand intense winds and flying debris effectively. Unlike other options that may break, hurricane screens absorb and disperse impact. This reduces the risk of window damage significantly. They can withstand winds from Category 5 hurricanes, providing reliable safety for homeowners. These screens undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet safety standards.
2. Easy Installation and RemovalHurricane screens are easy to install and remove, unlike shutters or storm panels. Homeowners can quickly deploy them before a storm and remove them afterward. Many screens come with pre-installed anchors and clips, allowing for fast setup. This user-friendly installation makes them a favorite among homeowners. After a storm, you can roll up the screens for compact storage.
3. Enhanced Aesthetics and VisibilityHurricane screens are nearly transparent, unlike plywood and metal shutters. They allow natural light into your home, even during a storm. This transparency is helpful during power outages when natural light is essential. You can monitor outdoor conditions without compromising safety. Unlike heavy shutters, hurricane screens also allow airflow, reducing the feeling of confinement.
4. Cost-Effective and DurableHurricane screens are a cost-effective solution because they are reusable and long-lasting. Unlike plywood boards, which need frequent replacement, screens last many years with proper care. They provide long-term protection without the high costs of impact windows. Lower maintenance and replacement needs make them a budget-friendly choice for homeowners.
5. VersatilityHurricane screens can protect more than just windows. You can use them for doors, patios, lanais, and even garages. This versatility provides comprehensive protection for your home during a hurricane. They are customizable to fit any opening, ensuring complete coverage. Their adaptability makes them suitable for various properties, from homes to commercial buildings.

How to Choose the Right Hurricane Screens

Choosing the right hurricane screens depends on several factors. Consider material quality, installation ease, and property needs. Here are some tips:

• Material Quality: Choose high-quality materials like Kevlar® or strong synthetic fabrics for durability.
• Custom Fit: Ensure screens fit your windows and openings perfectly to maximize protection.
• Certified and Tested: Choose screens certified and tested to meet local building codes and standards.
• Professional Installation: Consider professional installation for a secure and perfect fit, even if screens are easy to install.

Protect Your Home with Hurricane Screens from Atlas Armor

At Atlas Armor, we offer top-quality hurricane screens for excellent protection. Our screens withstand the harshest hurricane conditions, ensuring your home stays safe. They are easy to install, durable, and provide reliable protection for peace of mind. Our experts help you choose the right screens to suit your needs. With our solutions, you protect your home without sacrificing convenience or aesthetics.

Do you live in an area like Southwest Florida? If so you are definitely familiar with tropical storms and hurricanes. It’s no secret. The coastal areas of Florida are prone to severe weather. So, as you know, having proper storm protection in place is critical in order to protect your home and family. But when it comes to hurricane protection there are a slew of options to pick from. In fact, there are so many options of hurricane shutters and impact windows the choice can seem overwhelming.

One hurricane protection product that is popular in Florida, especially for outdoor spaces are hurricane screens. In this guide we’ll discuss the Pros & Cons of Hurricane Screens so you can decide if they are the right choice for your home and family.

You may also find the guides below helpful if you are considering other products:

The Pros & Cons of Roll Down Shutters

The Pros & Cons of Hurricane Fabric

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What are hurricane screens? An overview

Hurricane screens are a type of permanent hurricane protection, which are installed on your home or business.

They are typically used to cover larger areas, such as openings near your pool and other outdoor spaces. This is because they are more suitable for large (wide) openings vs on individual windows and doors.

FAQs

How do you install hurricane screens?

If you are an appropriately licensed contractor in your city or county you can consider installing the screens yourself. However, they are precisely designed and engineered systems that do require proper measurement, fabrication, and installation.

Want more information on hurricane window screens? Feel free to contact us.

So if you are not a licensed contractor or you just want to let the experts do it you may consider having a trusted hurricane shutters company do the install for you.

Pros And Cons of Hurricane Screens

Below are some of the Pros & Cons of hurricane screens.

Pro: Hurricane screens are quick & easy to operate

Hurricane screens open and close quickly and easily. This is true whether you have automatic screens or manual screens. Opening and close them can be done in less than a minute in most cases. This means you can prepare your home quickly. It also means you can get shade or sun quickly.

Pro: You can see through them

One of the biggest PROS of hurricane screens vs most types of shutters is that you can see through them. This is because they are made of a mesh vs a rigid material. This is helpful because you can see what’s going on outside when they are closed. It is also helpful because it lets natural light through, even as they are providing shade and blocking out UV. This makes screens more functional and enjoyable than many hurricane shutters that black out your space when they are closed.

Pro: Great for wide openings

Storm screens are a great fit for wide openings. They can be used for openings as wide as 360″ depending on the location of the installation. That means you can create some pretty sleek protective coverings with minimal breaks, even when used for very large openings.

Pro: Screens have minimal effect on your home’s appearance

Screens have a smaller housing box vs. other rolling type shutters. This is because they are thinner and made from fabric vs solid aluminum. This is great for people that do not favor the look of big housing boxes. They are less visible and take up less real estate on your house.

Pro: Hurricane screens offer a lot of value

Hurricane screens are not the cheapest hurricane protection. But they are also not the most expensive. The thing that should be noted is that they offer a lot of value (bang for the buck). They are attractive, easy to use, and super effective in terms of hurricane protection. But they also serve as outdoor shade screens, which many folks install on their homes anyways. In turn, you are getting two products, with two separate functions for the price of one.

Pro: Hurricane screens offer lots of standard color options to match your home

You want your hurricane protection to look good. At the very least, you want it to match or blend with the look of your home so it doesn’t detract. And this is easy to accomplish with Eurex Shutters PTX™ Hurricane Screens. This is because they are offered in several color options, which means they will match your home’s style and color scheme nicely.

You can choose from black, beige/white, beige/black, and all white. These combinations should work well with most homes in Southwest Florida. This is true regardless of your paint color scheme or home’s style.

Con: They offer no security protection

Some hurricane shutters help protect your home from intruders. Screens offer other benefits and functionality. But they do not offer as much in terms of security protection. While this may not be a big concern for many it is still something to consider.

Con: They may wrinkle over time

Hurricane screens have some flex (they are flexible). In other words they are not tight and rigid. They also roll up and down. These factors mean they experience wrinkling over time. Again, while not a huge concern for some it is something to take into consideration.

Con: Limited in where you can use them

Some types of hurricane protection can be used on every openings on your entire home. Others cannot. Hurricane screens fall into the “cannot” bucket. They are best suited for wide openings, such as lanais and outdoor spaces vs individual windows and doors. But if your windows and doors are behind your screens they will be protected.

Are storm screens the right product for you?

There is not shortage of options when it comes to storm protection. So how do you pick the right option? Do your research and understand the pros and cons of each type. Choosing the right one for your Florida home will depend on your needs and preferences. But regardless of which storm products you choose make sure you have the necessary protection in place to keep your home and family safe.

If you need help picking which type is right you can check out or guide on how to pick the best hurricane shutters. Or feel free to contact us for a free consultation.

Or call (239) 369- for immediate service.

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