Hurricane Protection: Frequently Asked Questions

On this page, you will find answers to some of our customers’ most frequently asked questions about Storm Smart hurricane protection products. Each question links to a detailed answer with statistics, comparison tables, credible sources, and expert guidance to help you make an informed decision about protecting your Florida home.

Do hurricane screens really work?

Yes. Hurricane screens pass the same ASTM E1886/E1996 missile impact and cyclic pressure tests required of all Florida Product Approved opening protection. Storm Smart’s Storm Catcher screens reduce wind velocity by up to 95% and have been tested against a 9-pound 2×4 lumber projectile fired at 50 feet per second. Over 28 million feet of Storm Catcher fabric have been installed since 1996. 

Are hurricane screens expensive?

Hurricane screens typically cost $2,000 to $8,000+ for whole-home coverage, making them significantly less expensive than impact windows ($10,000-$35,000) while qualifying for the same top-tier insurance credit. Florida’s My Safe Florida Home program offers grants up to $10,000 on a 2:1 matching basis that can offset much of the cost.

Can you see through hurricane screens?

Yes. Hurricane screens maintain filtered visibility, unlike solid shutters which create total blackout. Storm Catcher’s monofilament fabric allows you to see outside during a storm and lets natural light into your home. This is one of the key advantages screens have over accordion shutters, roll-down shutters, and metal panels. 

Do fabric hurricane shutters work?

Yes. Fabric hurricane shutters must pass the same ASTM impact and pressure tests as metal shutters to receive Florida Product Approval. The large missile test fires a 9-pound 2×4 at 50 fps, followed by 9,000+ cycles of positive and negative pressure. Fabric screens absorb and distribute impact energy differently than rigid systems, which gives them advantages on large and irregular openings. 

What type of hurricane screen provides the most security?

The most secure hurricane screens carry Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) certification, the highest standard in the United States. Below that are Florida Product Approval for HVHZ areas and standard Florida Product Approval. The material, certification tier, and deployment type all affect security level. 

Should I put shutters on my house for hurricanes?

Yes, especially if you live in Florida. A University of Alabama study found that FORTIFIED homes (which include opening protection) had 73% fewer claims and 72% lower total losses than non-FORTIFIED homes. The 2024 hurricane season, with three storms hitting Florida in three months (Debby, Helene, Milton), reinforced why permanent protection matters. 

Do hurricane windows reduce insurance in Florida?

They could. Florida law (Fla. Stat. §627.0629) requires insurers to offer premium discounts for verified wind mitigation features. The opening protection credit on the OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation form can save homeowners 10-30% on the wind/hurricane portion of their premium. Importantly, hurricane shutters and screens qualify for the same top-tier credit as impact windows. 

Are hurricane panels worth it?

Yes. Hurricane panels are the most affordable code-compliant option at $1,500-$5,000 for whole-home coverage. They qualify for full insurance credits and pass the same ASTM tests as more expensive systems. The trade-off is deployment time (4-8 hours) and storage requirements. For homeowners who want code compliance at the lowest upfront cost, panels are a strong choice. 

Who can install hurricane shutters?

Florida Statute §489.113 requires a licensed contractor for hurricane shutter installation. Five license types qualify: Certified General Contractor (CGC), Certified Building Contractor (CBC), Certified Residential Contractor (CRC), specialty hurricane protection license, and county-registered contractor. Homeowners may install on their own primary residence but assume full code compliance liability. 

How long do hurricane screens last?

Hurricane screens last 10 to 20+ years depending on the fabric type, UV exposure, and maintenance. PVC-coated polyester offers the best UV resistance. Monofilament polypropylene, like Storm Smart’s Storm Catcher fabric, provides excellent impact absorption. Proper maintenance (monthly visual checks, quarterly cleaning, annual hardware inspection) extends lifespan significantly.

Are hurricane screens worth it?

Yes. When you factor in avoided storm damage (a single window breach can cost $10,000-$50,000+), annual insurance savings, and a 10-20+ year lifespan, hurricane screens deliver a strong return on investment. Bankrate data shows Florida home replacement costs rose 43% from October 2019 to October 2024, making protection of your existing structure more valuable than ever. 

Can impact windows withstand a Category 5 hurricane?

Impact windows are rated by Design Pressure (DP), not hurricane category. A DP of approximately 50 corresponds roughly to Category 5 wind pressures on typical single-story residential windows. Storm Smart’s Smart View windows carry DP-50 to DP-100+ ratings and are HVHZ certified. 

What are hurricane-proof windows called?

The industry uses several terms: impact-resistant windows, hurricane impact windows, storm-resistant windows, and impact-rated glass. No window is truly “hurricane-proof.” The correct technical term is “impact-resistant glazing,” which refers to laminated glass with a PVB, EVA, or SGP interlayer in an approved frame system. 

Are hurricane shutters worth the cost?

Yes. The National Institute of Building Sciences found that federally funded hazard mitigation returns $6 in avoided disaster costs for every $1 invested. At the homeowner level, a typical suburban coastal Florida shutter installation can produce a net financial benefit of $13,000 to $33,000+ over 15 years when you combine insurance savings, grant offsets, and avoided damage.

At what wind speed do you need hurricane shutters?

Deploy shutters when the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch for your area (48 hours before anticipated tropical-storm-force winds). The Florida Building Code requires opening protection in wind-borne debris regions where design wind speeds reach 130+ mph near the coast or 140+ mph statewide. Debris becomes dangerous well below hurricane-force speeds. 

Does plywood work as hurricane shutters?

Plywood provides basic emergency protection but is not equivalent to purpose-built shutters. It is not impact-tested to ASTM standards, does not qualify for insurance credits, degrades after 1-3 uses, and requires 4-8 hours of labor to install. The Florida Building Code allows plywood (minimum 7/16-inch) as a prescriptive exception but not in the HVHZ.

Do you need a permit to install hurricane shutters in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires building permits for hurricane shutter installation. The permit process verifies that products are Florida Product Approved, match your location’s wind load requirements, and are installed correctly. Unpermitted installations can void insurance credits and create problems when selling your home.

Do I need impact windows if I have hurricane shutters?

No. The Florida Building Code requires either impact windows or approved shutters. You do not need both. Both achieve the same Level A insurance credit. Shutters cost 20-40% of what impact windows cost for whole-home coverage. Impact windows add year-round benefits (noise reduction, energy savings, UV protection) that shutters do not provide when stored. 

Do hurricane shutters lower insurance?

Hurricane shutters could lower insurance. Florida law requires insurers to apply wind mitigation credits when verified by a licensed inspection on the official OIR-B1-1802 form. The opening protection credit typically saves 10-30% on the wind/hurricane portion of your premium. Every Florida Product Approved shutter, screen, and panel qualifies for the same top-tier credit, regardless of price.

Should I board my windows up for a hurricane?

If a storm is approaching and you have no other protection, yes – board your windows. But boarding is an emergency measure, not a strategy. It takes 4-8 hours, provides no insurance credit, and plywood degrades after 1-3 uses. Permanently mounted hurricane screens and accordion shutters deploy in minutes and last 15-25 years.

What do hurricane screens look like?

Hurricane screens appear as a taut, semi-transparent dark fabric stretched across an opening. From the street, deployed screens look like a uniform dark surface. From inside, you can still see out. When stored, roll-down screens retract into a slim headbox and are nearly invisible. Hardware is powder-coated aluminum available in multiple colors to match your home. 

Do hurricane screens keep water out?

Hurricane screens significantly reduce water intrusion but do not create a watertight seal. Their primary job is stopping debris from breaching your windows, which prevents the catastrophic water entry that causes the most damage. Screens also reduce wind velocity by up to 95%, which dramatically cuts the force driving rain through window seals and gaps.