| Hurricane Shutters and Impact Resistant Glass |
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Page 3 of 5 During the late falll, at a time when hurricane season is near its peak, the availability of hurricane shutters seemed to be at its lowest. The demand for shutters will skyrocket at the first sign of a hurricane, waiting lists become lengthy, and prices will continued to climb. Many companies become back-logged for months, sometimes as long as a year trying to fill all the orders for hurricane shutters and related building materials. CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION ISSUES For this reason, most officials are now encouraging homeowners to order hurricane shutters as soon as possible in hopes of getting them installed before the next hurricane season arrives. They also warn that prices for shutters may increase over the next year as the supply for raw materials is low and demand is high. Although installation can sometimes be accomplished relatively easy by the homeowner, in some areas of the country installation requires a permit process and professional installation may be warranted for the proper fit and for optimal performance. Take Florida for instance. Throughout southern Florida, in 1994, tougher new codes were enacted that now require shutters or hurricane-proof glass installed on all new building construction. The state boasts one of the strictest building codes in the country in regards to hurricane fortified buildings, but even more rigid are the codes enacted by Miami-Dade County. All new construction within the county must be built with shutters or windows that are made to withstand flying debris. The code also allows for plywood coverings of 5 1/8” over windows. The remainder of the state, as well as other parts of the nation frequently hit by hurricanes, is considering implementing regulations that measure up to the Miami-Dade County building code. The evidence during several of the last hurricanes has proved that complying with the stricter codes results in less damage. Building codes for Miami-Dade County can be found at http://www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode/home.asp or by calling 305-375-2901. The website provides information on the minimum standards for products that meet county requirements. The site also provides a list of approved manufacturers of shutters that will provide adequate protection during hurricane winds. Manufacturers and their products that have been approved by the Building Code Compliance Office are issued a “Notice of Acceptance” or “NOA”. By searching the website homeowners will be able to find out if their existing window coverings fall under the new guidelines and, if not, what their options include. Likewise, contractors are required to possess documentation of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone product approval, also issued by this office. The code requires shutters or glass to withstand winds up to 150 miles per hour in the stricter regions, while other counties in Florida only require the coverings to resist winds up to 120 miles per hour. |
