Sunny Southwest Florida is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and let's face it, winter getaways. But we are also prone to be hit by hurricanes and tropical storms when the season approaches. For some of us Floridians, we sometimes underestimate the real power of hurricanes; we were even warned against complacency when Hurricane Dorian was brewing. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, tells residents to "remain vigilant and be prepared," which should apply for any tropical storm or hurricane that seems to be making its way towards Florida. It’s never too early to start preparing or looking into your options for an easier transition into hurricane season, and we have all you need.
There is nothing worse than being unprepared and frantically searching for plywood to cover your windows when the tropical storm reaches a higher category than anticipated. There is an underappreciated sense of security and confidence when you protect your home and family against high-force winds during a hurricane. With that in mind, it may be time to start thinking about that extra level of safety before the shelves clear, and we've got you covered with our Hurricane Shutters and Impact Hurricane Windows.
Hurricane Shutters
It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, especially when it comes to protecting your family. For some of us that experienced Hurricane Andrew, we know just how intense hurricanes can get and how much havoc they can cause. Hurricane Andrew reached wind speeds of 150 mph and cost $26.5 billion in damage, making it the strongest hurricane to hit Southwest Florida with Hurricane Charley coming in at second. Hurricane Charley took an unexpected turn and caused $16.9 billion in damage. There was a 23-hour warning before Charley hit Punta Gorda at 145 mph. Imagine you and thousands of other residents who underestimated the power of the hurricane and are now seeking for everything you may need to not only embrace the impact but also potentially go without electricity for weeks on end. Again, it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so having hurricane shutters on-hand is a drastic advantage over searching for food and plywood within a day.
Besides, plywood may not be strong enough to withstand the pressure of hurricane-related winds or flying debris. Once your windows are shattered, not only do you worry about flooding and flying debris, but the internal pressure of your home can create intense upward pressure on the roof, potentially breaking and ripping the structure. We offer lightweight and promising solutions that will make preparation easy and stress-free:
● Storm Panels by Town & Country Industries, has wind protection of 150 mph, 9-lb missile impact protection, easy and lightweight installation, and avoids the "cave" feeling with clear applications.
● Accordion Shutters are permanently installed by our team for convenient and year-round protection against hurricanes and break-ins.
● Bahama Shutters are aesthetically pleasing, and offer storm protection that is accessible in minutes rather than hours thanks to a hinge at the top of the window. They also provide year-long privacy and light regulation, which, in return, keeps your home cooler.
● Colonial Hurricane Shutters are similar to the Bahama Shutters, except they are hinged on either side of the window and open outward.
● Rolling Hurricane Shutters are durable and easy to use from outside or inside your home, serving year-long protection from storms or break-ins.
Earthwise Hurricane Windows and More
We offer Earthwise Vinyl and Vinyl Impact Hurricane Rated Windows, which are impact-resistant made with an advanced compound that exceeds requirements for strength and durability. Earthwise Impact Windows and patio doors undergo testing to prevent a breach when a 6-foot long 2x4 is fired at the glass traveling at 60 mph. The focus for impact-resistance is on the interior pane of glass. It is designed to break into smaller, rounded pieces that commonly remain adhered to the flexible laminate in the glass preventing from being windborne within the home during a hurricane.
Earthwise windows and doors are designed for our local climate and extreme weather conditions, but they are environmentally friendly as they are conservative of excessive and irresponsible energy consumption. Did you know home energy use accounts for about one-quarter of our total carbon footprint? With Earthwise windows and doors, you will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but you can save hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs. Also, the vinyl used is 100% recyclable as it is derived from an abundance of natural salt, nor does it use harmful chemicals for painting or staining. Earthwise’s vinyl windows and door corners can be welded for maximum strength producing an airtight and watertight seal. Other products have screwed, stapled, or glued corners, which can eventually leak, causing unexpected flooding or debris during a hurricane.
It is never too early to consider your options for protecting your family during the hurricane season. With over 60 years of experience, let us come to you and provide a free in-home estimate. Our goal is to protect your home and family while keeping your budget in mind. If you are considering going back north and want to protect your vacation home, permanent shudders may be the right option for you. Or if you are seeking out options for our next hurricane season, we have everything you need right here. Call us today at (941) 412-1883.