Hurricane Protection and Remodeling Services in St. Petersburg

Hurricane Protection Built for St. Petersburg Homes

St. Petersburg has some of the most varied housing on the Gulf Coast. Craftsman bungalows in Kenwood and Old Northeast built in the 1920s, mid century block homes in Meadowlawn and Jungle Terrace, waterfront homes on Snell Isle and Shore Acres, and a downtown full of new towers. Each one needs a different approach to hurricane protection, and 2024 made the stakes clear. Helene’s surge put water in thousands of St. Pete homes, particularly in low lying neighborhoods along Tampa Bay, and Milton tore through the city two weeks later with wind strong enough to shred the roof of Tropicana Field.

West Shore Construction has worked in St. Petersburg since 1985. We install impact windows, hurricane shutters, motorized hurricane screens and hurricane fabric, and we handle remodeling for homes that need more than new openings. Here is how each option fits the city.

Protecting a Historic St. Pete Home

St. Petersburg has several local historic districts, including Kenwood, Old Northeast and Roser Park. If your home is in one, exterior changes like new windows or permanently mounted shutters may need review from the city’s historic preservation staff before a permit is issued. That does not mean you cannot protect the house. It means choosing products that respect the original look, such as impact windows with the right grid pattern and profile, or low profile systems that disappear when not in use. Hurricane fabric is often the easiest fit because nothing permanent shows except small anchors. Our page on hurricane protection for historic homes goes deeper, and we will help you prepare what the city needs to see.

Codes, Wind Speeds and the 49 Percent Rule

Like the rest of Pinellas County, St. Petersburg sits inside the wind borne debris region, so windows and doors need impact rated glass or approved protection. Design wind speeds here generally run between 140 and 150 mph depending on location. We verify your address before quoting.

Remodeling has one St. Pete specific wrinkle. The city applies its substantial improvement and substantial damage review at 49 percent of the structure’s value for homes in flood zones, a point lower than the 50 percent many people have heard about. Cross it and the whole home may need to be brought up to current flood standards, which can mean elevation. We look at that number with you before scope is finalized so there are no surprises at permitting.

Hurricane Protection for Every St. Petersburg Home

Impact Windows

Laminated impact glass stays in the frame when it is struck, so the house stays sealed and pressure cannot build inside. For St. Pete owners who live here part of the year or travel during the season, it is the one option that requires nothing when a storm is coming. It also quiets traffic on streets like 4th Street and Central Avenue and cuts the heat that comes through older single pane glass. Visit our impact windows page for product details.

Hurricane Shutters

Shutters are still the most cost effective way to protect many St. Pete homes. Motorized rolling shutters are popular on waterfront homes along Coffee Pot Bayou and in Venetian Isles because they close in seconds and add security when the house is empty. Accordion shutters work well on wide openings, and Bahama shutters suit the Key West and bungalow styles you see around the Old Northeast. The full lineup is on our shutters page.

Motorized Hurricane Screens

Screened porches and lanais are everywhere in St. Pete, and a motorized hurricane screen protects them without closing them in. The screen lowers from a compact housing into side tracks and is rated to stop wind borne debris. Day to day it filters sun and keeps insects out, which turns a hot west facing porch into usable space. See our motorized hurricane screens page.

Hurricane Fabric

Fabric panels like astroGuard are light, strong and store in a small bin. They mount to permanent anchors and pull tight across windows, doors and even entire porch openings. They let in daylight, they will not rust, and they are the least visible option on a historic facade. Read more on our hurricane fabric page.

Remodeling in St. Petersburg

Many St. Pete homeowners are still putting their houses back together after 2024. West Shore is a state certified building contractor, so we can rebuild water damaged interiors, redo kitchens and bathrooms, and handle whole home renovations alongside new hurricane protection. Combining the work means one crew, one permit process and one timeline. Learn more about whole home remodeling, kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling.

Paying for Protection

Protected openings are one of the biggest wind mitigation credits on a Florida homeowners policy, and a fresh wind mitigation inspection after installation puts it on record with your insurer. West Shore is an eligible My Safe Florida Home contractor, a state program that provides matching grants to qualifying homesteaded owners, and we offer financing as well.

Why Work With West Shore

We have been a state certified building contractor (CBC044653) in Pinellas County for more than 40 years. We handle permits, inspections and any historic review paperwork, and our estimates are free and done at your home. Browse our portfolio to see recent work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricane Protection in St. Petersburg

Can I put impact windows on a historic home in St. Petersburg?

In most cases yes. Homes in local historic districts may need review before exterior changes are approved, and the city will look at style, profile and grid pattern. We help select windows that match the original design and prepare the submittal.

What is the 49 percent rule in St. Pete?

For homes in flood zones, the city reviews whether improvement or repair costs reach 49 percent of the structure’s market value. If they do, the home may need to meet current flood standards. We review your scope against it before you commit.

Which hurricane protection is best for a St. Pete waterfront home?

Most waterfront owners choose impact windows or motorized rolling shutters on the water side because they need no setup and hold up to salt air. We often pair them with a lower cost option on the protected side of the house.

Nearby Areas We Serve

West Shore also serves homeowners in Clearwater, Largo and Tampa.

Get a Quote in St. Petersburg

We will come out, measure, and show you every option that fits your home and your budget.