Keeping wind and water out is critical to your home’s survival. Shutters should be a planned element of any vulnerable home. Plywood should be a last-minute alternative, and if used, it must be properly fastened.

Protective barriers can:

• Keep wind pressure from building up inside, which often leads to loss of the roof.
• Reduce the chance glass will break.
• Reduce the chance of wind-driven rain from soaking the home’s interior.

Plan ahead:

• Choose permanent window and door protection, or
• Install permanent fasteners long before storm warnings, so panels can be put in place quickly and time can be spent focusing on other needs.

The range of products on the market today means it’s easier to find protection that fits your budget. Commercially-installed shutters typically cost between $9 and $30 per square foot of openings. The costs increase for motorized units.

Do-it-yourself costs are about 50 percent less per square foot. Many homeowners opt for a mixture of protective measures as a means of maintaining the curb appeal of a home.

Make the right choice:

• Know that just because a product is labeled “hurricane tested” does NOT mean it has passed the large-missile impact tests.
• Choose a product with the proper approval for impact-resistance. Look for these ratings:

Florida Building Code TAS 201, 202, 203
ASTM E 1886 and 1996-03
Miami-Dade Protocols PA 201, 202, 203

Ask yourself:

• Am I a year-round resident? Am I capable of installing shutters alone? If no, you may want to consider installing permanent protection, such as impact-resistant glass.
• What are my physical limitations? Can I handle screens or lightweight corrugated plastic, but not aluminum or other shutters?
• Will I be comfortable with the look of permanent products, such as roll-down or accordion-style shutters? These often have visible storage “boxes” on a home’s exterior when not in use.