The Complete Affordable Hurricane Shutters Guide
Scientists have warned that the most destructive U.S. hurricanes are now three times more frequent than a century ago. This alarming trend is further underscored by the fact that the proportion of category three or above hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean has doubled since 1980.
Living in a coastal area or its vicinity, it’s more crucial than ever to have some form of hurricane protection. The increasing frequency of severe storms makes it imperative to always be prepared for the inevitable storm.
Yet all too often, people try to find affordable hurricane shutters. They search for sales, markdowns, or opt for DIY hurricane shutters.
Purchasing high-quality, rolling hurricane shutters from a manufacturer such as Rollac, not only means you're investing in your home or business’s safety, but in the safety of your loved ones and the people you work with.
While affordable hurricane shutters abound, so do the dangers of this type of storm protection. That’s why Rollac has spent the last 40 years sharing our experience and knowledge of high-quality hurricane protection for those looking to buy commercial or residential rolling shutters.
What’s The Most Affordable Hurricane Protection for Windows?
When considering the cost of roll-down hurricane shutters, one way to ease your financial burden is to install manual shutters rather than electric ones. Though one of the biggest reasons home and business owners choose automated shutters is their convenience, they can be expensive to purchase, install, and operate.
That’s why manual shutters, whether rolling or accordion hurricane shutters are often a more affordable alternative.
- Firstly, they are easy for one person to install and operate.
- Secondly, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars compared to automated ones, making them an attractive option.
Can I Install DIY Hurricane Shutters?
Have you ever asked yourself, “Could I install my own hurricane shutters?” The answer is yes. There are plenty of types of DIY hurricane shutters!
One of the biggest problems with automated hurricane shutter systems is the lead time required for orders and the installation backlog. This is why many home or business owners learn how to make hurricane shutters for themselves.
Installing affordable hurricane shutters might seem straightforward if you opt for DIY storm shutters. Yet several disadvantages exist, including the quality of installation and material, which may offer less protection than professionally made and installed hurricane shutters.
The Advantages of Hurricane-Rated Shutters
Hurricane shutters are essential to protecting your home or business from the devastating impact of tropical storms and hurricanes. These protective window and door barriers are built to withstand flying debris, heavy rain, and high winds, and unlike DIY storm shutters for windows and doors, they offer several advantages.
Yet, at Rollac, we often hear from customers questioning whether professionally installed hurricane shutters are worth the cost. The following information should provide the answer.
The Utmost in Storm Protection
Let’s say you own a gas station located in a coastal town. You’ve been warned about the ‘big one’ making landfall in your area for years. In the past, you’ve always opted for DIY accordion shutters or steel storm panels you install yourself because you thought hurricane-rated storm shutters weren’t worth it. But a recent rise in area thefts propelled you to install high-quality security shutters for your gas station.
Soon after a category three hurricane made landfall, it leveled your town, but your business was still standing.
When a hurricane strikes, all your business or home’s windows, doors, and other openings become vulnerable to the storm's fury. They are pummeled by flying debris, heavy rain, and high-speed winds, which can often cause more damage than all the others combined.
There are a number of types of high-quality shutters, that can serve dual purposes for both storm protection and security or anything else you might need.
Lower Insurance Premiums
If you still think affordable hurricane shutters are the way to go, consider this: many insurance companies often reward homeowners with reduced premiums if they have hurricane-rated shutters for their home or business’s windows and doors. Not to mention hurricane protection for their outdoor space, including hurricane-proof pergolas or safeguards for their expansive patios.
This measure demonstrates to your insurer your commitment to fortifying your business or home from severe weather conditions such as hurricanes.
Yet it’s vital to emphasize insurers don’t offer premium reductions for do-it-yourself hurricane shutters. Regardless of the type and cost of your hurricane shutters, they must be rated and professionally installed.
Even though purchasing and installing hurricane window shutters may require a significant initial investment, estimates show that you can save between 10% and 30%, depending on the type of shutters installed and your insurance provider. Therefore, you may see your shutters pay for themselves over time, providing a significant financial benefit.
Increase the Value of Your Home
In addition to providing much greater protection from storms, permanent storm shutters can increase your home’s value by thousands of dollars.
Unlike cheap DIY hurricane shutters, professionally installed shutters, whether hurricane window coverings or accordion hurricane shutters, can increase your home’s curb appeal or the attractive nature of your house and its surroundings from the street. This is something DIY hurricane panels cannot do.
Fewer Repair Costs
If you don't have hurricane shutters installed on your home or business, even a mild tropical storm that only glances your area may leave you with substantial repair costs.
While your insurance company may pay for some of the damage, you’ll probably be expected to pay for the lion’s share of the repairs because you had opted for do-it-yourself storm shutters instead of hurricane-rated ones that were professionally installed.
Safety
Another one of the benefits of rolling hurricane shutters is that they can double as a security barrier.
For example, suppose you are a pharmacy owner who is just installing security shutters to prevent robberies. Depending on your coverings, they may also protect you from hurricanes and the looting that often happens afterward.
Energy Efficiency
Our hurricane-rated shutters can also make your home or business more energy efficient thanks to the extra insulation they provide. Many home and business owners often forget that permanent storm shutters can be used for purposes other than storm protection.
Unlike DIY hurricane screens or homemade storm shutters, which are usually affixed to the exterior of a building before the storm and then removed after, permanent storm shutters are different. They remain affixed to the exterior of the building and can be opened and closed manually or electronically.
Prolong the Lifespan of Your Windows and Doors
Installing high-quality hurricane shutters, unlike simple DIY hurricane shutters, helps extend the lifespan of your home or business’s windows, doors, and other openings. Whether using hurricane-certified shutters or impact windows, their proven strength and durability will protect you from flying debris, wind, and rain.
Professionally installed and well-maintained hurricane protection can also withstand an invisible enemy: the positive and negative pressure a storm can produce. This is something that DIY storm shutters for windows or doors are not designed to withstand.
How Much Do Hurricane Shutters Cost?
At Rollac, customers often ask, “How much do hurricane shutters cost?" The answer is that it depends. Several factors affect the final price tag, including the type, size, quantity, quality, location, and time of year.
As of 2024, the average cost of hurricane shutters is $5-$50 per foot. Therefore, a covering for a home or business can range from $1,500 to $20,000.
It’s important to remind potential buyers that even after purchasing high-quality hurricane shutters, there is an additional cost associated with upkeep. Regular automatic or manual shutter maintenance, from regular roll-down shutter lubrication to motor repairs or part replacements, is critical to prolonging their life span.
Are Hurricane Shutters Worth The Money?
Despite warnings from reputable organizations indicating that hurricanes are only getting stronger, many residents and business owners in storm-prone areas continue questioning whether hurricane shutters are worth the investment.
Yes, hurricane-rated shutters often cost more than many people want to spend. But when a category three hurricane is headed for your home or business, a set of flimsy DIY roll-down hurricane shutters doesn’t stand a chance.
Investing in a high-quality hurricane shutter from a reputable company such as Rollac will protect your space from the storm and the threat of storefront looting, which often happens directly after.
With over 40 years of storm experience, our hurricane shutters offer the best protection and customer service to keep your home and business safe.