A: These are the questions you should ask when choosing a Hurricane Shutter company:

How long have you been in business? You can find out for yourself at http://www.sunbiz.org. Go to “Look up a business name”, then click on “Inquire by Name”, type in the name of the company you are researching and hit the Submit tab. The address should not be a post 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 the 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 http://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.Back To Top

A: Tests show that if the building envelope of your home is violated in any way, for example a window breaking out, hurricane force winds will build up pressure inside and the roof may come off. Most lost roofs are blown off from interior pressure, rather than being blown off by direct wind. Hurricane shutters are designed to protect all glass openings and maintain the integrity of the building envelope. Shutters are also tested to endure positive and negative pressure to prevent from being blown in or blown out. Shutters are also designed to keep your glass from breaking, to keep your family safe from injury by flying glass and to prevent replacement of glass or windows after the storm. Back to Top

A: The types of hurricane products available: Roll-Down Shutters, Accordion Shutters, Louvered Shutters (Bahama and Colonial), Storm Panels, Screen Products, and Impact rated Windows and Doors.

Roll-Down ShutterSystemS as manufactured by Sun Barrier Products, Inc. are the most versatile and practical. They provide security, storm protection, insulation, privacy, noise reduction, protection from water intrusion, and sun control. An aluminum tracking system is anchored on the exterior sides of the opening. Interlocking slats of PVC, foam-filled aluminum, or extruded aluminum roll down within the track. When closed, ShutterSystemS provide a solid, secure barrier. Open partially for diffused light and ventilation, or roll shutters up into the housing when not in use. Roll-Down ShutterSystemS operate from the interior of the home with the touch of a button or the turn of a handle.

Sun Barrier Products manufactures aluminum Accordion Shutters. Accordion Shutters operate by the interlocking aluminum blades gliding on wheel assemblies in an upper track and lower sill. They are installed and operated from the exterior. A five-point locking system secures Accordion Shutters, including extruded aluminum drop pins and a key lock. Accordion shutters have been proven to be excellent protection from storms, storm-force winds, and flying debris, as well as a security barrier. When not in use, they stack at the side(s) of the opening.

Louvered shutters, usually chosen for aesthetics, provide storm protection, sun control, and privacy. Bahama Shutters hinge at the top of the window, and angle out at the bottom on a lateral arm. For storm protection, the lateral arm unhooks and the shutter secures down over the window frame. The Colonial Shutter hinges at the side and is closed and secured over the window for storm protection. They are available in several standard colors with custom color matching as an available option.

Storm Panels are manufactured from roll-formed aluminum. There are different types of mounting hardware, depending on the building structure. When hurricane protection is required, the panels are placed in the track and anchored into place with provided fasteners. Storm panels are excellent protection from hurricanes, but they must be stored away when not in use and do require some time to attach. They do not provide any security, since they attach from the exterior. Back To Top

A: All Shutters manufactured by Sun Barrier Products, Inc. are engineered and tested to meet or exceed Florida Building Code for Hurricane Shutters. The testing laboratory puts the shutters through a number of tests, including windload, cyclic pressure and missile impact. Back To Top

A: Sun Barrier Products, Inc. uses fastening systems that have been tested and approved for Hurricane Shutter Installation, as is specified on the engineering and testing. In addition, we use a high quality sealant to adhere the structure to your home. The engineering is very specific about the placement of fasteners, we use the engineering and testing as a minimum for the manner in which our shutters are attached. Back To Top

A: Film is a product that is applied to an existing window for sun control and to keep broken glass together when broken. Film products do not meet the standards or Building Codes for Hurricane Protection, and film companies are not allowed to make these claims about film. In addition, Most window companies will void the warranty on their windows if film is applied. Any consumers who believe they have been misled by a film company or have purchased window film as hurricane protection on their home should contact the Attorney General of Florida's Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226. Out of state call 1-850-414-3990. Consumers may also file complaints on the Attorney General of Florida's website at http://www.myfloridalegal.com. Back To Top

A: The amendments to Florida's Condominium Law (FS 718.113, FS 718.115) requires Condominium Associations to set specifications for Hurricane Shutters. Each Board of Directors not only must set specifications with regards to hurricane shutters, their authority has been expanded to allow the boards (with a majority vote of the homeowners) to install, repair, or replace shutters as a common expense. This gives every condominium the right to protection from severe storm damage. Sun Barrier Products, Inc. offers planning, review, and consulting service free of charge for all aspects of hurricane shutter products. 1) specifications that will comply with the local building codes and engineering that will verify design requirements; 2) design considerations to assure building integrity, uniformity, and visual attractiveness.

With hurricane shutters now something that all condominium owners are to be aware of, it is important to understand that all condominiums are not alike and all shutters are not alike. Your concern for protection from severe storms as well as your rules governing maintenance and exterior appearance are well considered. Our goal is to meet your requirements for well-engineered quality products, technical assistance, and affordable pricing.

If a product receives an Energy Rating that qualifies it for the Solar Rights Law, the products cannot be denied by your homeowners or Condominium Association. Crimsafe Hurricane and Security Screens is a product that meet this standard, by blocking up to 52% of Solar Heat Gain in your windows and doors. Back To Top