The short is answer is yes. If you live in a hurricane-prone region, covers for windows are an excellent investment for protection of life and property. Shutters are not the only way to protect your home from hurricane damage. Most people choose hurricane shutters because they are a more affordable alternative to impact windows. What’s nice is they add value and curb appeal to homes as well as being a functional addition.
The importance of protecting your windows is not just so they don’t break. Once the wind gets into your home, water damage and the loss of a roof can soon follow. The shutters protect the windows and the windows protect your interior and overall house structure. Colonial style hurricane shutters look much nicer than the rollaway shutters, and there are those who believe that if you’re going to put shutters on your house, make them look like they work. So why not go all the way and offer shutters that are both decorative and functional?
There are some myths associated with windows that a lot of people believe. Taping your windows during a bad storm will not prevent them from breaking. The tape adds such a miniscule amount of strength to the window. Plastic film will also not prevent breakage. It will help keep broken glass out of your house if the window breaks but it’s much smarter to avoid the breakage to begin with.
When you’re deciding what type of exterior shutters to use, functional shutters are the best bet. They look as nice, if not nicer, than decorative shutters and they add invaluable protection. If you’re in a hurricane-prone area, having hurricane shutters may also lower your home insurance costs.
The best time to have shutters installed is when your house is built so that they can be part of the design. If you already have a home without shutters, then get them installed as soon as it is practical to do so. If they are permanently in place on your home, then practice closing them once a year before hurricane season to make sure everything is in place and in working order.
