Older and historic homes across Tampa Bay have a character you can’t get from new construction — deep porches, original millwork, wavy glass windows. Protecting that character while still meeting today’s storm standards takes a different approach than a standard hurricane retrofit.

The Challenge of Storm-Proofing Older Homes

Historic homes often weren’t built to modern wind-load standards, and many sit in designated historic districts with guidelines governing what can be changed on the exterior. That means the fastest or cheapest hurricane protection option isn’t always the one that’s actually allowed — or the one that keeps the home’s value intact.

Options That Respect Original Architecture

  • Bahama and colonial shutters: both styles were common on Florida homes long before modern building codes existed, so they read as historically appropriate while providing real storm protection.
  • Discreet impact glazing: modern impact glass can often be fitted into historic-style frames and muntin patterns, preserving the look of original windows while upgrading what’s actually protecting the opening.
  • Removable fabric and panel systems: for openings where permanent hardware isn’t allowed, fabric and polycarbonate panels offer strong protection without altering the home’s facade when they’re not deployed.

Working Within Historic District Guidelines

If your home is in a designated historic district in St. Petersburg, Tampa, or elsewhere in the region, exterior changes typically need approval from a local historic preservation board before work begins. We factor this into project planning from the start, so homeowners aren’t caught off guard by a permitting step midway through a project.

Why Experience Matters

We’ve been doing this work since 1985, long enough to have handled hurricane protection on homes from every era Tampa Bay has to offer. That experience means we know which products and installation methods hold up to both a preservation board’s review and an actual hurricane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need approval from a historic preservation board before installing storm protection?

If your home is in a designated historic district, exterior changes typically require approval from a local historic preservation board before work begins.

Can impact windows be installed in historic-style frames?

Often, yes. Impact glass can frequently be fitted into historic-style frames and muntin patterns to preserve the original look while upgrading protection.

Are Bahama and colonial shutters historically appropriate for older Florida homes?

Yes, both styles were common on Florida homes long before modern building codes existed, making them a fitting choice for historic properties.

Does hurricane protection affect a historic home’s resale value?

Well-executed, code-compliant protection that respects the home’s architecture typically supports value rather than detracting from it.

Protect Your Home’s Character and Safety

If you own a historic or older home and want storm protection that doesn’t compromise its character, we’d like to help.

Call West Shore Construction at (727) 488-8182 or request a free estimate online. We proudly serve Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas County, Sarasota County, and the greater Tampa Bay area — Florida State Certified Building Contractor, License #LN CBC044653, serving Florida homeowners since 19