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| About Sun Barrier Products
Our experience in the shutter industry began in 1973, and
we bring this expertise in engineering, research and development to
your or home project, for peace of mind and quality results.
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| Read what one of our customers has to say! |
| The Last Resort
Bang the drum slowly but surely: Check's here!
Published December 22, 2006 |
Greg Dawson's Column - Excerpt |
Dear
Greg: I nominated two companies for your Thanksgiving Good Guys column.
You published my roofer nomination, but not the hurricane-shutter company,
Sun Barrier Products. Shutter companies have repeatedly received a bad rap
in your column, deservedly so. Perhaps you will reconsider running
something about this company, which keeps its promises, a rare thing in an
industry that seems to foster unreliable and unscrupulous practices
LES SLESNICK
ORLANDO |
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| Sun Barrier Products, Inc. manufactures and installs Roll Down Storm and Security Shutters, Accordion Shutters, Bahama and Colonial Shutters. Sun Barrier Products, Inc. also distributes and installs Storm Panels along with windows and doors for replacement and new construction, including heavy duty series impact windows for hurricane protection. Sun Barrier Products, Inc. also provides dealerships outside the state of Florida and in the Caribbean. |
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Sun Barrier Products, Inc., a privately held Florida Corporation established in 1988, was founded by Charles T. Donaldson, who serves as President. |
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| Sun Barrier Products has dedicated the last 20 years to providing the best quality products at a reasonable price. As the building codes change, our dedication to research and development keeps us on top of the industry so we can make sure our customers are getting the best protection possible. |
Questions you should ask when deciding on a hurricane shutter company...
How long have you been in business?
You can find out for yourself at www.sunbiz.org. First click on �Online Searches.� Next click on Corporations, Trademarks, Limited Partnerships & Limited Liability Companies. Finally, click on �Name List� and then type in the name of the company you are researching and hit the Submit tab. The address should not be a posit office box or a home address, but an actual commercial address where you can visit.
Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?
You can find out if they are a member as well as see how many complaints if any were lodged against them by visiting
http://www.bbb.com and click the �Business� link under the Check It Out heading.
Do you have a licensed contractor on staff?
Shutters are an engineered product and usually require a permit to be pulled. Only a licensed contractor can pull permits. A shutter company should have a state licensed contractor, either specialty aluminum contractor, or residential or commercial contractor. If the license holder is not a principal in the corporation, the business must have a QB (Qualifying Business) license issued by the state of Florida. A Customer should never be asked to pull the permit. An occupational license is not a contractor�s license.
Are you insured?
Get a certificate of insurance, including contractor�s liability, workman�s comp and auto liability. Some contractors will not have a work comp policy, but instead hold an exemption. According to Florida law, only he principals in the corporation can hold a work comp exemption, and all construction industry businesses are required to have either work comp insurance or exemption. It is common for installation crews to be independent contractors with work comp exemptions, but if the shutter company does not have a work comp policy, it means that there are no employees of that company, only subcontractors.
Do you manufacture your shutters?
The State of Florida requires that all shutter manufacturing companies participate in a Quality Control program, and have a QC certificate issued in their name. (Florida Building Code State Statutes Chapter 9B-72)
Do you have engineering for your shutters?
A shutter company should have engineering on all products to meet wind speed based on the zones set by the state of Florida, and should also meet large missile impact. Ask to see engineering and have it explained. Fastening schedules, maximum spans and deflection are all part of the specific engineering for each product. More information is available at
www.floridabuilding.org.
Other suggestions?
Go visit their facility, ask for referrals from previous customers, and look at some of their work. Do your homework on the products. Not all products being sold as hurricane protection are actual engineered products for windload and impact. Not all products are designed to keep your glass from breaking.
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