| # | Description | Pro's | Deployment Time Needed | Insurance Discounts | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Accordion Shutters | Aluminum Slat folding shutter system that moves horizontally and folds out of the way on either side of the opening | Moderately priced, easily covers large openings, excellent protection from flying debris. Can be closed in seconds deploys faster than most other systems. Security with locks. Can be used for upper windows and operated from the inside if you have single/double hung or sliding windows and in swing or sliding glass doors. Commonly used to enclose entire balconies. Build-out tracks reduce the need for unsightly frames and additional tubes. | Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or to prepare for sheltering in place. | Qualifies for discounts if all openings are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Pull the shutter sections together to shut and engage either the locking pins, locks or both depending on the systems design. |
| Flexible Wind Abatement Screens | Light weight flexible screen that is attached with straps and buckles to the wall, eave, or beams with large eye-bolts or uses ground anchor screws. Some systems use clips, carabineers or grommets. | Lightest weight protection product on the market. Capable of easily covering large areas at a relatively low cost. Easily folds up for storage, some manufactureres provide storage bags with orders. Some systems have a Miami-Dade NOA and reduce the likelihood of glass breakage from flying debris. Some systems are designed as non-porous and allow glass breakage when impacted. | Must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm force winds arrive. | Qualifies for discounts if all openings are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Use loops, buckles, straps, carabineers, clips or grommets to secure the system to permanent or removable anchor systems. |
| Fabric Pull-Down Shutters | Fabric shutter system that uses a counter balance spring and a hood to store the shutter when not in use. Similar to a Roll-Up but only uses a 4" hood rather than a 8-12" hood for storage. | Moderately priced, low profile hood system that can be hidden into soffits or even decorative trims. Can be closed in seconds and deploys faster than any other operable system. Can provide excellent water intrusion protection. Can be used for upper windows and operated from the inside if you have single/double hung or sliding windows and in swing or sliding glass doors. | Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or to prepare for sheltering in place. | Qualifies for discounts if all openings are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Pull the shutter down and engage the locking pins. |
| Roll-Up Shutters Extruded Aluminum Slats | Extruded aluminum slats are the strongest and most impact resistant. The blades are double wall hollow slats with a wall thickness ranging from .040 to .060 inches thick. | Motorized sytems can be automated by using anemometers, timers, remote controls or even long distance phone or computer operating systems. Offer good security for absentee owners or properties that are evacuated. One of the better systems for water penetration resistance when using unvented slats. Can be manually operated from inside so is suitable for all styles of operable or fixed windows and in swing or out swing doors. | Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or to prepare for sheltering in place. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Manually cranck the shutter down or activate the motor using a switch or remote option. |
| Roll-Up Shutters High Density Foam Filled Aluminum Slats | High-density, foam-filled slats are made with thin roll-formed aluminum that is wrapped around a foam core that provides the stiffness. | Lightweight slats allow larger shutters without the need to motorize. Motorized systems can be automated. Offer good security for absentee owners or properties that are evacuated. One of the better systems for water penetration resistance when using unvented slats. Can be manually operated from inside, so it is suitable for all styles of operable or fixed windows and in swing or out swing doors. | Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or to prepare for sheltering in place. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Manually crank the shutter down or activate the motor using a switch or remote option. |
| Plywood | 1/2" to 3/4" CDX plywood available in 4'x8' sheets. OSB not recommended. You can use 2 layers of 3/8" material to obtain the same effect as one layer of 3/4" material. | Lowest cost protection you can purchase. Available from many sources in all markets. Does not have to be custom ordered. | Does NOT qualify for discounts | Must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm force winds arrive. | |
| Corrugated Steel Panels | Panels are available in widths from 13" to 16" and various lenghts. They are typically overlapped to cover small to large openings. Available in 24 to 18 gauge thickness. | Inexpensive system with good protection. Easy to deploy when used with track systems. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm force winds arrive. | |
| Fabric Panel Systems | Panels are a strong polyester weave with a PVC coating on both sides. Pne panel can cover the entire opening. Complete DIY kits are available. | Won't rot, warp, corrode or rust. They can be stored in place on the opening in a decorative cover. Lighter weight than most other systems, 70 percent lighter than metal products. Panels can be used for emergency roof repairs, stronger and more weather resistant than tarps or plastic. Panels are translucent so they let light in to house. Offer two, three or four-sided attachment options. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | ||
| Corrugated Aluminum Panels | Panels are available in widths from 13" to 14" and are overlapped to cover small to large openings. They are available in .040 to .072 inches thick. | Lighter weight metal panel option than steel with good protection. Corrosion resistant when stored dry and separated from concrete floor. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system. | Must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm force winds arrive. | |
| Perforated Corrugated Aluminum Panels | Panels are available in widths from 13" to 14" and are overlapped to cover small to large openings. They are available in .050 inches thick. | Perforated with small holes on the upper ribs to allow light to enter room. Lighter weight metal panel option with good protection. Corrosion resistant when stored dry and separated from concrete floor. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | Must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm force winds arrive. | |
| Single Glazed Impact Glass Laminated Windows | Single-glazed windows are referred to as singe pane, usually available in aluminum uninsulated frames only. The single sheet of glazing is comprised of two sheets of glass with a laminate between them. | Hurricane protection is always in place no deployment necessary. Provides additional security protection. Low impact to aesthetics of the structure. | Always in place, none needed. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | Always in place, none needed. |
| Double Glazed Impact Glass Laminated Windows | Double glazed is insulated glass and is more energy efficient. The laminate is bonded between two pieces of glass on the inside, the outside piece of glass is regular glass. | Hurricane protection is always in place no deployment necessary. Provides additional security protection. Low impact to aesthetics of the structure. | Always in place, none needed. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | Always in place, none needed. |
| Roll-Up Shutters Flexible PVC Slats | PVC slats use an end retention clip system to keep the slats from pulling out of the side tracks. | Lightweight slats allow larger shutters for manual operation before having to go to motorized systems. Motorized systems can be automated. Offer good security for absentee owners or properties that are evacuated. One of the better systems for water penetration resistance when using unvented sltas. Can be manually operated from inside so is suitable for all styles of operable or fixed windows and in swing or out swing doors. | Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or to prepare for sheltering in place. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | Manually crank the shutter down or activate the motor using a switch or remote option. |
| Perforated Steel Barrier Systems | Steel sheets are perforated using small round holes to create a screen type effect. Frames are welded with the steel sheets mechanically fastened to the frame and/or sub frame. | Always in place so there is no need to deploy the system. Used to reduce or eliminate glass breakage from vandalism for schools and public buildings. Barrier reduces solar glare and can aid in reducing energy costs. Stainless steel perforated sheet will not rust or corrode even if exposed to salt spray. | No deployment necessary, system stays in place year round. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | No deployment needed, shutters are always in place. |
| Stainless Steel Woven Screen Barriers | Looks like a heavy insect screen in a heavy duty welded or mechanically assembled frame. | Always in place so there is no need to deploy the system. Used to reduce or eliminate glass breakage from vandalism for schools and public buildings. Screen reduces solar glare and can aid in reducing energy costs. Stainless steel screen will not rust or corrode even if exposed to salt spray. Screen does not distort or block view like perforated barriers. | No deployment necessary, system stays in place year round. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | No deployment needed, shutters are always in place. |
| Bahama Awning Shutters | The bahama awning shutter adds a decorative look to hurricane protection. Very popular in the islands where the shutter is used to shade and keep rain out of screened openings. | Due to decorative look, these shutters are widely accepted where historical or architectural review committees strictly control aesthetics. Permanently mounted and usually it only takes a screwdriver to attach the additional locking hardware. Adds a decorative accent to existing structures. One other benefit of this system is shading the window which can significantly reduce energy costs. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | Shutters use a telescoping arm with a locking thumb screw to hold them open. To close, they will likely need additional clips, or other types of mechanically fastened hardware. This can be stored when not in use. | |
| Colonial Hinged Shutters | Authentic swinging shutters fold back to the sides of the windows. Available in louvered and raised panels that are made of aluminum and high impact aluminum and high impact aluminum reinforced PVC or pulltruded fiberglass. | Due to the decorative look, these shutters are widely accepted where historical or architectural committees strictly control aesthetics. Permanently mounted and usually it only takes a screwdriver to attach the additional locking hardware. Adds a decorative accent to existing structures. | Qualifies for discounts if all opening are protected with a FBC or Miami-Dade Approved system | Shutters use a spring clip to hold them open. To close, they will likely need additional bars, clips, or other types of mechanically fastened hardware. This can be stored when not in use. |
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