When Storm Clouds Gather: The Truth About Interior Shutters for Storm Protection
As hurricane season approaches and severe weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, homeowners are searching for effective ways to protect their most valuable investment—their homes. One question that frequently arises is whether interior shutters can provide adequate storm protection. The answer is more nuanced than you might expect, and understanding the difference between decorative interior shutters and true storm protection systems could mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.
Understanding the Limitations of Traditional Interior Shutters
While plantation shutters and other interior window treatments offer numerous benefits for everyday living, they cannot protect your home from hurricanes. These shutters are made for aesthetics and sunlight control, not for braving 100+ mph winds. When it comes to serious storm protection, they fall short.
The primary issue with standard interior shutters lies in their construction and intended purpose. Plantation shutters are installed directly into your window frame, making them an incredibly effective window treatment for light control and privacy, but they lack the structural integrity needed to withstand hurricane-force winds and flying debris.
What Makes Storm Shutters Effective?
True storm protection requires specialized hurricane shutters that are engineered specifically for severe weather conditions. Hurricane shutters, or storm shutters, act as a barrier against the wind, protecting windows and preventing flying debris, rain, hail and damaging wind from entering your home.
Effective storm shutters share several key characteristics:
- Each shutter leaf has a 1/8″ thick clear polycarbonate panel fastened to its back, helping protect the shutter leaf, the window and your home’s interior
- The system meets the Large Missile Impact Test requirement per ASTM E1886-02 and E1996-02
- Hurricane Rated Shutters are rigorously tested and approved by the State of Florida
- These shutters are tested and proven to stand up to severe weather and meet the strict ICC (International Code Council) 500 code that governs storm shelter construction
The Science Behind Storm Protection
These shutters protect not only the windows or doors they cover, but also possessions and people inside the building. Once a window or door has been breeched by hurricane winds tremendous pressure is brought to bear on interior walls and upward pressure on the building’s roof. This can lead to roof failure which exposes the entire contents of the building to the storm.
Windows, specifically, can shatter, letting in rain, wind and debris. Additionally, broken windows during a hurricane can cause pressure to build up inside a home, resulting in roof damage and more. This cascade effect demonstrates why proper storm protection is so critical.
Types of Effective Storm Shutters
Several types of hurricane shutters offer genuine storm protection:
Accordion Shutters: They are popular in Florida because they are easy to use, strong, reasonably priced, and have high functionality.
Roll-Down Shutters: Made of polycarbonate or metal, this type of hurricane shutter attaches to the window, rolling down when needed and rolling up into a box when not in use. While they are one of the more costly options, many people choose this style for its ability to be permanently secured to the window and because of ease of use.
Colonial Storm Shutters: Often chosen for their aesthetics, colonial shutters attach to the sides of a window and can be folded up, giving the appearance of normal shutters when not in use. When a storm approaches, the shutters are unfolded to cover the window and secured with a storm closure bar.
Storm Panels: Made of either aluminum or steel, storm panel shutters attach to the walls around your doors and windows with either bolts and tracks, a C-track that goes around your window, or permanent bolts. With this style, grooved panels lay over one another to form a secure barrier against the elements. The most cost-effective option, these removable shutters are a bit more difficult to install and will need to be stored properly when not in use.
The Financial Benefits of Storm Protection
Investing in proper storm shutters offers significant financial advantages. In 2018 and 2019, hurricanes caused 70 billion dollars in damage. If that’s not staggering, hurricane Harvey alone caused approximately 125 billion dollars in damage. You could end up paying less in damages if your insurance company covers you because they know you are taking preventative measures by installing different types of hurricane shutters.
Hurricane shutters can add value to your home by protecting windows from flying debris during a storm and possibly reducing your home insurance premiums, likely appealing to potential home buyers.
Professional Installation and Local Expertise
For homeowners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area seeking reliable storm protection, working with experienced professionals is essential. A Plus Shutters, serving Tarrant County through shuttersandshadesnearme.com, brings a decade in construction and a dedicated shutter showroom, with unparalleled expertise and passion to every project. Their commitment to local craftsmanship and personal service sets them apart, making them a beloved choice in Arlington and beyond.
When searching for shutters installed near me, it’s crucial to choose a company that understands both the aesthetic and functional requirements of your home. A Plus Shutters proudly features Texas-made products with superior quality, leveraging a decade of construction expertise for flawless installations.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Hurricane shutters are a worthwhile investment that can protect your home for many storm seasons. Properly installed hurricane shutters can be quicker to put up and take down. For these reasons, installing shutters is a better long-term solution for homeowners than boards.
While interior plantation shutters excel at enhancing your home’s beauty and controlling light, they simply cannot provide the level of protection needed during severe storms. Shutters are a first line of defense against the hurricane. Much of the damage and building failure in Hurricane Andrew could have been prevented by well installed hurricane shutters over windows and doors.
The key is understanding that storm protection and interior design serve different purposes. For comprehensive home protection, invest in properly engineered storm shutters that meet building codes and testing standards. For daily comfort and style, interior shutters remain an excellent choice. The smartest homeowners often choose both, ensuring their homes are both beautiful and secure when nature’s fury strikes.