Hurricane Panel Questions and Answers

Does the thought of a hurricane striking your home cause you to lose sleep at night? Do you watch with anxiety as your neighbour prepares his home for hurricane season but you have no idea how to do that yourself? Natural disasters are scary. Whether it’s a snow storm, earthquake or a hurricane, their unpredictability and ability to cause severe damage is stressful. In our almost 40 years of business in Houston, we at Rollac have survived several hurricanes. In that time, we’ve also answered many customers’ questions about how to prepare for the annual hurricane season. Our answer is always to protect you and your family first. Once that is done safeguard your home and your belongings. One of the best ways to do this is by installing aluminum hurricane panels. The following is a brief list of the most common questions we’re asked and our answers concerning this protective covering.

Why do I need hurricane panels?

We only have two words for this question: security and peace of mind. To have both of these is worth the price of any type of hurricane panel. Not only do they prevent loss and damage from the storm, but they also provide added protection from looters and vandals once the hurricane has passed. One of the most popular and affordable types of coverings is aluminum hurricane panels.

What happens if I don’t have hurricane panels?

During a storm if a window or door has been broken, the interior walls and ceiling of your home will be subjected to a massive amount of pressure. Often the force is so strong that it can lift the roof right off your home; thereby exposing all the contents on the inside of the house to the storm’s winds and rain. Additionally, if you don’t have protection such as aluminum hurricane panels and your windows break, the pressure build up can cause all of the glass to explode. This too exposes your home’s interior to the wind, rain, and flying debris.

What are the advantages of aluminum hurricane panels?

Aluminum hurricane panels are twice as thick and only half the weight of their closest competitor: galvanized steel. The other popular option is plywood. Yet this type of wood has several disadvantages. Not only is it heavy and quite difficult to install, it requires nails to anchor itself to your home’s exterior. During a storm the nails and plywood can come lose and literally act as a missile, creating an extremely dangerous situation.

Are there insurance benefits to installing hurricane panels?

Yes, there are several benefits to having hurricane panels in your home. Before signing off on any purchase or installation, we advise our customers to check with their insurance companies. They type of benefits including a premium discount differs with each insurance provider. One carrier might charge less if you have aluminum hurricane panels while another might only recognize aluminum roller shutters as a preventative storm measure. Either way, your best bet is to call ahead.

When should I get my hurricane panels installed?

The optimal time to install your hurricane panels is during the construction of your home. That way the shutters can become part of the structure’s design. If that’s not possible, it’s recommended to have them installed between December 1^st and May 31^st. Remember, hurricane season runs from June 1^stto November 31 every year. It is during this period that installers are busiest. Often there is a wait list to get coverings such as aluminum hurricane panels mounted.

How much do hurricane panels cost?

Like most window coverings, the price of hurricane panels varies depending on the size of your windows or doors and who is doing the installation. For example, aluminum hurricane panel prices range from $6.00-$10.00 per linear foot. By comparison steel hurricane panels range in price from $5.00-$7.00.