Shutters have, for centuries, offered home protection. Today, motorized rolling shutters are an excellent choice for Florida homeowners. Here we will compare as well as contrast different types of residential shutters. Additionally, we will spotlight the motorized rolling shutters.
 

The World of Shutters

Shutters go by different names and come in many shapes. Likewise, they may be made of different materials and manufactured in different ways. The one thing that all shutters have in common is their purpose. That purpose is protection. Their number one function is to safeguard the valuable people and assets that lie behind them.
 
From the dawn of time, shutters have protected people and possessions from prying eyes. Moreover, they guard against unauthorized entrance and natural elements. Whether made from leaves, skins, wood, or extruded aluminum, their duty is still the same.
 

Commercial Uses

Shutters, particularly rolling shutters, and more specifically motorized ones are invaluable in the commercial world. They protect goods from the elements and from thieves. Behind their shielding, workers are safe against extreme weather. From mom-and-pop retail shops to industrial facilities, the use of rolling shutters has commercial value. These shutters have been adapted to provide the same perks to homeowners, though more refined.
 

Different Types of Residential Exterior Shutters

In a home, there are shutters found both inside and outside. Our focus here is on exterior shutters. There is a range of options for residential exterior shutters, including motorized rolling shutters.
Decorative shutters – what might be considered “traditional shutters.”
  • Board and Batten – two or three boards held together with a horizontal or angled cross panel.
  • Louvered – have angled slats. The slats are fixed on exterior shutters and moveable on interior shutters. Louvered shutters cover not only windows but door openings as well.
    • Colonial style
    • Bahama style
  • Raised panel shutters – similar to what is seen on room doors or cabinet doors.
 
Storm shutters – These are of particular interest to those who live in hurricane-prone areas such as Florida. These will also be for the focus of the rest of this discussion.
  • Louvered hurricane shutters – made of extruded aluminum to withstand the salt, deter rusting and pitting.
    • Colonial
    • Bahama
  • Accordion shutters
  • Motorized rolling shutters
 

Motorized Rolling Shutters Pass the Test

After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Miami-Dade County established the first requirements for wind-borne debris protection. Under the Florida Building Code (§ 1626), there is a standard set for testing requirements that shutter and impact-resistant systems must pass. These systems included hurricane shutters, hurricane windows, polycarbonate panels, and hurricane fabric. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) developed stringent testing standards. Products must pass one of these tests to qualify for use where hurricane or other high-velocity protection is required or desired.
 
For this reason, it is important for homeowners to work with a reputable manufacturer and an authorized seller/installer of hurricane protection solutions. This is the trust relationship established between our customers and West Shore Construction. We have authorized retailers and installers of Advanced Hurricane Technology’s motorized rolling shutters. They are leaders in hurricane protection.
 
So, what are the parts of motorized rolling shutters, and how does this form of protection stand up to other hurricane protection solutions?

Anatomy of Motorized Rolling Shutters

  1. Rolling shutters are comprised of a corrugated curtain. This central part of the rolling shutter is of continuous, interlocking aluminum slats.
  2. These slats run up and down between guides fitted on the walls or window frame on either side of the curtain.
  3. When lifted, the curtain rolls up on itself, around a roller, into a bundle at the top of the opening. The roller is a steel tube fitted with a shaft at one end. In the case of motorized rolling shutters, there is a tubular motor at the other end.
  4. Held in place by a full-width roller, the roller assembly is responsible for holding the entire shutter curtain in place.
  5. The bottom rails add rigidity to the curtain. They are the final 2 or 3 slats in a T or L shape that meet the floor or bottom of the window frame when the shutter lowers.
 
Motorized rolling shutters can be made of different materials. For the purposes of hurricane protection, aluminum is the metal of choice. Aluminum is flexible, lightweight, and resists corrosion. This last quality is of particular advantage for Floridians, given the rainy hurricane season. An extra asset is that aluminum is easy to clean.
 
Finally, the motorized rolling shutter is powder coated with paint color to match or complement the home. This enhances curb appeal. Powder coating adds durability to the finished product. It resists fading in sunlight, chipping, and scratching.
 

Comparing Hurricane Shutter Solutions

We will now shed some light on how the different hurricane shutters stack up to the motorized rolling shutter.
 

Decorative hurricane shutters

Like rolling shutters, both Bahama shutters and Colonial shutters use extruded aluminum and powered coating. They, too, are resistant to corrosion, pitting, rot, and fading, which are problematic with other materials. These shutters both meet the standards required by insurance companies for hurricane protection discounts. Easy to deploy, they are accessed both from inside and outside the home. They are not, however, remotely deployable. Decorative hurricane shutters make excellent choices for dual purposes.
  • Bahama shutters – Offering a tropical appeal to Florida homes, Bahama shutters hinge at the top of the window and open from the bottom. They provide shade and airflow when not closed against a hurricane.
  • Colonial shutters – They regulate sunshine and airflow, as do Bahama shutters. In contrast, this is not a benefit found with motorized rolling shutters. Hinged on the sides, these shutters offer a classic appeal to any style of home.
 

Accordion shutters

Like motorized rolling shutters, accordion shutters store within the system when not in use. They push back like accordions to the sides of openings. These shutters are also made of aluminum and powder coated to match the house siding. Accordion shutters fit both windows and doorways. They are particularly beneficial for the protection of sliding glass doors. Unlike rolling shutters, it is necessary to go outside to deploy these shutters. A downside of this hurricane shutter type is that, over time, customers may have difficulty maneuvering the shutter to open and close. Although, with regular maintenance, they move with ease. To ensure fluid operation, clean dirt, leaves, and other debris, and lubricate the tracks on a schedule.
 

In Summary

Motorized rolling shutters offer a number of benefits to Florida residents within one product.
  • Protection of life and property during a tropical storm.
  • This form of hurricane protection qualifies for a homeowners insurance discount.
  • Touch of a button deployment and storage.
  • Simple integration into home security software or smart home products.
  • You do not have to go outside or even be home to deploy the rolling shutter.
  • On a regular maintenance schedule, your rolling shutters should operate smoothly.
  • Protection of property when away from home.
  • Available in colors that will ensure retention of curb appeal.
 

Installers of Motorized Rolling Shutters

West Shore Construction has been leading the way in hurricane protection installation since 1985. We are a Florida State Certified Building Contractor. Our satisfied customers live from Venice to Palm Harbor, inland to The Villages, and beyond.
 
Working with one of the leading manufacturers of motorized rolling shutters ensures that you receive a quality, warrantied product. Our installers are experts and will go the extra mile to provide outstanding service. Call us today at (727) 488-8182 for a consultation. You may also connect with us online, and a professional will respond to your inquiry.
 
Our offerings go beyond hurricane protection to include home remodeling, as well as green home building and consultation. Check out our website for more home improvement ideas and information.