HURRICANE PROTECTION

FAQ's

Why should I purchase All Broward Hurricane's ("ABH") Accordion shutters?
Our Air Accordion shutters are the most superior Accordion shutters on the market based on design, construction, reliability and ease of installation. Please refer to our Notice of Acceptance ("NOA") specs and compare it to the competitors' or please visit our showroom and request a demonstration comparing an ABH accordion to the average competitor. Our competitors' Accordion shutters are not just lower in price but in quality as well. If you want an Accordion shutter that provides you lasting peace of mind, then our Air Accordion shutter is for you.

Are your Accordion shutters Miami-Dade and Florida Building Code Approved? Not only are they approved but our Air Accordion shutter allows for install heights that our competitors can only dream of with their standard shutters. Imagine an Accordion shutter designed to withstand wind loads 20 stories up protecting openings on multi-story homes and high-rise buildings.

How much are your hurricane shutters? Because our shutters are custom made to meet your specific needs and may include optional items, our price is computed on a project-by-project basis. Beware of competitors' set square footage prices because many times they do not give you all the hidden additional costs. All Broward Hurricane offers each of its customers the opportunity to discuss their specific needs with one of our highly skilled and knowledgeable engineers, not a salesman!

Do you provide hurricane shutters for Commercial properties?
Yes, we specialize in hurricane protection for both residential and commercial properties. Please see our extensive list of commercial projects on our Projects page.

Do you provide service or repair even if the shutters I have are not yours?
Yes we do. Our Service & Repair department has the technical expertise and know-how to correctly evaluate your problem regardless of make or manufacturer and you can be assured that your repairs will be performed correctly the first time.

What are the chances that South Florida will be hit by a hurricane?
Over the past 110 years, the center of a hurricane has passed within 75 miles of Miami, on average, once every 3.5 years. A major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale) once every nine years, and a Category 4 or higher (such as Hurricane Andrew) once every 15 years. These numbers may seem high, but the last 30 of the past 110 years have been a period of low hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

Should I tape my windows when a hurricane threatens?
No, it is a waste of effort, time, and tape. It offers little strength to the glass and NO protection against flying debris. After the storm passes you will spend many a hot summer afternoon trying to scrape the old, baked-on tape off your windows (assuming they weren't shattered). Once a Hurricane Warning has been issued you would be better off spending your time putting up shutters over doors and windows.

Should I put shutters over my doors?
Obviously sliding glass doors, French doors or any door with considerable glass in it should be protected. Some double doors or garage doors should either be shuttered or reinforced. In Hurricane Andrew many of these type doors gave way.

Why should I get hurricane shutters?
People who live in coastal counties from Texas to Maine, and those in other hurricane prone areas, such as most of the Florida peninsula, will find shutters an excellent investment for protecting their lives and property. They protect against wind and wind-borne debris. 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 breached 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. Shutters are a first line of defense against the hurricane. Much of the damage and building failures in Hurricane Andrew could have been prevented by well installed hurricane shutters over windows and doors.

Why should I bother with shutters if I live in an evacuation zone?
Shutters will protect your house and possessions from wind damage whether you are there or not. If the storm surge should reach your home then the shutters won't protect against the flood of water. But not every place in the evacuation zone will flood. You should take every reasonable precaution to protect your property.

What kinds of shutters are available?
See Products page under Hurricane Shutters

What are the best kind of shutters?
The best kind are those that are affordable, easy to install, and offer the greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important to you depends on individual circumstances. For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing mechanism or accordion type shutters. For those with limited incomes, plywood shutters may be the only affordable option. For most people, the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, are relatively inexpensive, but take effort to install. Aluminum panels are lighter and easier to install, but offer less protection and may not meet the building codes for your area.

Whichever type you decide on, it is important to remember that shutters are only as good as the quality of their installation. Ensure that the shutters or their anchors are installed by qualified workmen and that quality materials that meet the building codes for your area are used.

What about the plastic film and shatter resistant windows I've heard about?
Although these are remarkable products that being improved every year, they are no substitute for shutters. If you have windows that for some reason, such as access, can't be shuttered then you may wish to consider using film or installing the shatter resistant glass. Remember that the film only protects the glass, and the frame is still under pressure and the whole window could fail. Windows with these treatments will still suffer damage from the impact of debris and may have to be replaced after a storm, whereas a shutter would take most or all of the energy of such an impact. Films and special glasses also might not meet the building code for your area.

How do I choose an installation company I can trust?
The same way you go about choosing any company that performs a service. Make sure they are licensed, get references, and then check the references. Ask your neighbors and friends about who installed their shutters and if they had any complaints or recommendations. Check out a company with the Better Business Bureau, your local licensing authority, or contractor association.

When is the best time to get my shutters installed?
The best time to have shutters installed is when the house is built so they can be a part of the design. If you own a house without shutters have them installed as soon as is practical. Keep in mind that the beginning of hurricane season may be a busy time for most installation companies. Do NOT wait until a Hurricane Watch is issued for your area.

At the start of each hurricane season, you should test out your shutters. For permanently installed shutters, try closing each one to make sure they work smoothly and lock tight. For panels and plywood shutters try a couple of windows and doors to ensure the hardware works and check the time you need to complete the job. Repair any problems at this time so that everything is ready when a storm threatens.

When a Hurricane Watch is issued for your area, check all mechanisms and hardware again, and maybe install the more difficult shutters. If you live in an evacuation zone and it is going to take you 2 or 3 hours to complete your shutter installation, you may want to start during the Watch phase. If you are not in an evacuation zone, you should time your installation early in the Warning phase so that you are not struggling with panels during high winds.

Note: Many of the FAQ's and Answers above are supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center and Hurricane Research Division.