Protecting windows and doors is one of the biggest parts of getting a Southwest Florida home ready for hurricane season. A broken window or door can let wind and rain inside, and that can lead to much worse damage. Whether you're adding shutters for the first time, replacing old panels, or just need someone to put them up and take them down, this guide covers what to ask before you hire. When you're ready to compare companies, browse hurricane shutter and storm prep companies by city.
Know the main options
- Storm panels: removable aluminum, steel or clear polycarbonate panels that bolt or slide into tracks over openings. They're usually the most basic option, but someone has to store them, carry them and put them up before every storm.
- Accordion shutters: permanently mounted beside the window and pulled closed and locked when a storm threatens. Faster to close than panels, but they stay visible on the house.
- Roll-down shutters: roll up into a box above the opening and come down by hand crank or motor. Convenient, especially for large sliders and upper floors. Motorized units need power or a manual override, so ask how they work during an outage.
- Bahama and colonial shutters: decorative, permanently mounted shutters that close over the window. Popular for their look; ask how well they suit your windows and how they close.
- Fabric storm screens: heavy fabric panels or roll-up screens that anchor around openings. Light and easy to store; ask about installation and wind ratings for your openings.
- Impact windows and doors: glass designed to resist windborne debris, so there's nothing to put up. Usually a bigger project, and often handled by window and door companies rather than shutter companies.
Many homes use a mix, for example roll-downs on a large lanai slider and panels on smaller windows. Garage doors and entry doors are openings too, so ask about them.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are the products approved for use in Florida? Shutters and other opening protection sold for Florida homes are generally expected to carry product approval showing they meet the Florida Building Code. Ask for the approval number for each product, and you can look products up through the Florida Building Commission website.
- Will the job be permitted, and who pulls the permit? Permanent shutter installation often requires a permit, but rules vary. Check with your city or county building department, and make sure the contract says who is responsible for the permit and final inspection.
- Is the company licensed and insured? Depending on the work and where you live, a licensed contractor may be required. Check licenses at myfloridalicense.com and ask your local building department what applies. Ask for a certificate of liability insurance, and workers' compensation where required.
- How will the shutters be anchored? Ask what the shutters attach to (block, wood frame or stucco), what anchors and fasteners they use, and whether they're suited to salt air if you're near the water.
- What's the lead time? Custom shutters are made to measure, and installation can take weeks or longer, especially after an active season. Plan well before June.
- What's the warranty? Get product and workmanship warranties in writing, and ask who services the shutters if a motor, track or lock fails later.
- Does your HOA or condo association need to approve them? Many communities set rules on shutter type, color and when shutters can be closed. Get approval before you sign.
Get a clear written estimate
A good estimate lists every opening being covered, the product type and approval for each, color, motorization if any, permit and inspection, removal of old shutters if needed, timeline, payment schedule and warranty. Compare at least two or three estimates on larger jobs. Be careful with large deposits, door-to-door sales right after a storm, and anyone pushing you to sign quickly before you've checked the license and product approvals.
Insurance and wind mitigation
Opening protection can matter to your homeowners insurance. Ask your insurance agent whether your shutters could affect your premium and what documentation they need. A wind mitigation inspection by a qualified inspector is the usual way to document a home's wind-resistant features, so keep your permits, product approvals and invoices. Florida has also offered a state program for home hardening grants and inspections, My Safe Florida Home. Check its website for current eligibility and funding before you count on it.
If you're away during hurricane season
- Decide in advance who puts shutters up. Some owners leave shutters closed for the whole summer. Others pay a company or their home watch provider to put them up only when a storm threatens. Agree on it in writing before June.
- Ask how storm calls are handled. When a storm is forecast, everyone calls at once. Ask whether existing customers get priority, how much notice they need, what it costs, and whether they'll send photos when the shutters are up and again when they're down.
- Keep panels organized. Label each panel for its opening, store hardware with the panels, and tell whoever installs them where everything is.
- Think about the A/C and the house. Closed shutters block light and can make it hard to see in during checks. Make sure your home watch company can still get in and that A/C and humidity control keep running.
- Plan for take-down. Shutters left closed after a storm can trap a house in the dark and may be against HOA rules. Set a plan for when they come down.
Maintenance
- Test roll-down and accordion shutters before the season: open and close them fully and listen for grinding or sticking.
- Rinse tracks and hardware to remove salt and sand, and ask your installer which lubricant to use.
- Check that panels, wing nuts and anchors are all there before June, not when a storm is two days out.
- Have motors, switches and manual overrides checked if they've been unused for a long time.
Compare hurricane shutter companies in Southwest Florida and impact window and door companies, and see our hurricane prep checklist and hurricane prep for absentee owners.
General information only. It is not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Check with your insurer, HOA and licensed professionals.
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