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Did you know hurricane fabric shutters/panels can keep your home safe in the worst weather conditions?As a homeowner in Florida, having a full-proof hurricane protection system is a prerequisite, and towards that end, hurricane fabric shutters are the one-stop solution.
Hurricane season in Florida can throw up the worst of tropical storms, and it’s our homes that are most susceptible to damage.
And although the spell of Atlantic hurricanes lasts only till the end of November, climate change and warming sea waters have made hurricanes very unpredictable. That means you never know when or at which time of the year the next hurricane will strike.
So what’s the solution, you may ask?
Well, the best thing we can do is protect ourselves and our homes in the best possible way.
Talking about hurricane protection for homes, there’s no better way you can do so than with storm fabric panels or shutters.
In case you’re wondering, here’s how hurricane fabric fares better over traditional storm protection systems and secures your home in the worst of weather:
#1. Hurricane fabric shutters are stronger than steel
When we talk about the strongest materials for hurricane protection, you’ll surely think about heavy-duty metals like steel. And while it’s true that steel shutters provide sound hurricane protection, storm fabric shutters are way more reliable.
How?
You see, hurricane fabric panels are made from highly reinforced fabric which is not only tough and impact-resistant but also highly flexible and lightweight. So much so that fabric shield storm panels can have a ten times greater tensile strength than steel or aluminum panels.
Moreover, compared to metal-based storm protection systems, hurricane fabric weighs only a fraction, making it a preferable alternative.
#2. You can deploy the fabric storm panels quickly and more easily
One of the biggest advantages of lightweight fabric shield storm panels is that you can deploy them much more conveniently. In fact, they can be installed on your home with much ease and in far lesser time with the help of their wing nut and grommet system.
Also, installing hurricane fabric is pretty basic and thus DIY-friendly. So all you need to do is follow the user manual, and you can have the hurricane shutter installed within hours.
And to make it apt for a DIY project, all components essential for installation are included in the hurricane shutter package itself.
On the contrary, installing metal hurricane shutters can be quite a task, not to mention that they aren’t ideal for DIY projects. That’s because installing these heavyweight systems requires a team of at least four or five professionals and up to 2-3 days’ time.
Not to forget, removing metal panels once the hurricane is over is equally challenging, which is the reason why many homes keep them installed permanently.
#3. Fabric-based hurricane panels don’t affect your home’s aesthetics
Another problem with steel or hurricane shutters is that they end up ruining the aesthetics of your home. And they do so in two ways:
First, installing a metal hurricane protection system involves putting up rails and shutters on the outer walls of your home, thus covering up its elegance.
Second, since removing the steel panels isn’t easy, either the entire system or most of its components are kept installed for almost forever.
Nevertheless, that’s not the case with fabric hurricane shutters, as they’re only deployed for the duration of the hurricane and can be easily removed once the weather normalizes.
#4. Fabric hurricane shutters let natural light in
You’ll agree when we say that lighting your home during or after a hurricane isn’t easy at all.
Especially after a post-hurricane blackout, your home is sure to go dark unless you have a power backup. And to make matters worse, the metal hurricane shutters installed around our homes block even the daylight.
Thankfully, the translucent nature of hurricane fabric shutters and panels means that you’ll have natural light throughout the day.
Impressive, isn’t it?
#5. Storm shield panels made of fabric are cost-efficient
Now that you’ve seen how effective hurricane fabric is, you might well wonder whether installing it can be an expensive affair.
However, you can rest assured as both fabric shield storm panels and shutters are very cost-efficient, meaning these hurricane protection systems won’t break the bank.
Here’s a cost comparison between metal and fabric shutters for a better understanding:
While the cost per square foot of metal shutters ranges between $10 for low-end aluminum to $50 for sturdy steel products, you can easily get top-notch hurricane fabric for $17/sqft.
Also, the fact that you can DIY the installation means you’ll save on labor costs, the hourly charges of which can be anywhere between $45 and $100.
Bonus #1. You can easily store hurricane fabric
With hurricane fabric, you get unparalleled ease and convenience in terms of storage. That’s because once the hurricane is over, you can simply wind up the entire system and store it just about anywhere in your home.
This ease of storage is missing on metal hurricane panels and shutters as they need a lot of space to be stored. So if space is of a premium for you, storing these metal-based hurricane protection systems can be really tricky.
Bonus #2. Fabric materials are safe to handle
If you’re a newbie looking to install metal hurricane shutters by yourself, chances are that you might get hurt.
Hurricane fabric, on the other hand, is made with super soft fabric, which eliminates any potential chances of injury during installation or removal.
The final word
As you can see, when it comes to an effective and efficient hurricane protection system, nothing compares with fabric shutters and panels.
For more information, please visit gaite.
And the best thing is that these shutters are made from sustainably sourced fabric, which makes them entirely eco-friendly products.
Looking for one such storm protection system for your Florida home?
You can reach out to us!
At Eco-$mart Inc, we have the best-in-class fabric storm panels and shutters designed to protect homes in hurricanes up to category 5. Also, we have home protection systems like SIP panel home kits to make your home sturdy for all weather conditions.
And with the most competitive prices on the market, you can count on us for affordable yet solid home improvement solutions.
When it comes to hurricane protection there are a lot of options to pick from. If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, like Southwest Florida, then proper hurricane protection is critical to protect your home and family. But there are many options of hurricane shutters and impact windows so the choices may seem endless. One choice that has become popular is Hurricane Fabric panels. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of Hurricane Fabric so you can decide if it is the right choice for your home.
You may also like article on The Pros & Cons of Roll Down Shutters.
Table of contents
Fabric hurricane shutters are a type of non-permanent hurricane protection. They offer an alternative to traditional metal and aluminum storm panels. But they serve the same purpose as any hurricane shutter. That purpose is to cover and protect the vulnerable parts of your home, such as your windows and doors from breaking during a hurricane. This helps prevent the potential of more severe damage, such as your home becoming pressurized.
It should be noted that these are fabric panels that are installed (attached) over your windows before a storm. They are not the same as roll down hurricane screens, which are permanently attached to your home.
Our ArmorPanel Hurricane Fabric Panel is made from DuPont KEVLAR® reinforced, soft-sided fabric. DuPont KEVLAR® is an extremely tough yet flexible, light-weight and impact resistant fabric.
But even though it is lightweight it is extremely strong. In fact, the Dupont website says Kevlar has a “tensile strength 10X greater than steel on an equal weight basis.” That’s pretty amazing, especially when you consider that the panels weigh a fraction of steel or aluminum of the same size.
ArmorPanel hurricane window covers attach to the structure of your home with a grommet and wing nut installation. Their installation is similar to installing traditional metal or aluminum storm panels without the heavy lifting. Their light-weight nature makes their installation relatively easy.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of fabric storm panels.
ArmorPanel fabric storm panels install relatively quickly and easily on your home. This is thanks to their simple grommet and wing nut installation system. Fabric storm panels are easier to handle and install vs. metal and aluminum alternatives given their ultra-lightweight nature.
ArmorPanel Hurricane Fabric Panels are priced similar to metal and aluminum storm panels. That is pretty impressive considering their benefits vs those options. Fabric panels are priced considerably lower than permanent shutters.
How expensive are fabric hurricane shutters? You can expect to pay around $17/SQFT.
They also offer other cost savings. First, you can save money on installing them every storm. Most individuals can install them themselves due to their lightweight. So you can save some money installing them yourself vs. hiring an installation service like with metal panels.
If you are looking for an affordable form of hurricane protection then ArmorPanel fabric panels might be a good choice.
Say goodbye to the storage unit rental and/or take back your shed or garage. ArmorPanel fabric storm panels can be rolled, laid flat, or hung up for easy, compact storage. They can be stored at a fraction of the space requied by metal or aluminum panels.
Fabric storm panels only get installed when a storm is coming. Why is that a benefit? Because there are no exterior housings, tracks, awnings, etc. They have minimal effect on your home’s appearance. In other words, it is a good option if you don’t like the look of hurricane shutters or don’t want to change the look of your home.
ArmorPanel panels are translucent so they allow natural light to shine into your home. This is a benefit vs metal and aluminum panels that black out your home. You will reduce the need to have candles, flashlights or a generator if the power goes out.
ArmorPanel hurricane panels have smooth, safe edges. One of the drawbacks of metal and aluminum (and even polycarbonate) storm panels is your risk of cutting yourself when handling. ArmorPanel is a soft fabric with smooth edges.
Hurricane fabric is a fraction of the weight of metal and aluminum storm panels. This makes the installation process easier. You can still pay someone to install them, but you might not need to because of their lightweight nature and easy to attach fastening system. This will save you energy (and the added cost of installation).
Hurricane fabric panels need to be installed and uninstalled for every storm. This is a drawback vs. permanent hurricane shutters. If you are considering hurricane storm panels vs. metal or aluminum panels then there is not much difference. And they are easier to install than traditional panels because of their lightweight nature. But if you are looking for a hurricane protection option that does not require installation and removal before and after each storm these may not be the best option for you. In that case, you may want to choose a permanently installed option, such as roll down hurricane shutters, accordion shutters, etc.
If you don’t know what permanent shutters are make sure you check out our article explaining what are permanent hurricane shutters.
Like their metal and aluminum counterparts fabric panels do require storage. Yes, they take up less space then other panels. But you do still have to store them somewhere. So make sure you have enough space to tuck them away or you may have to find another solution.
ArmorPanel Hurricane Fabric Panels come in one standard color, which is natural. This is not a major issue. That’s because they are not installed on your home all the time. But, it is still something to note.
They do the same as any other hurricane shutter. Specifically, they cover and protect the vulnerable parts of your home, such as your windows and doors from breaking during a hurricane. This helps prevent more severe damage, such as water intrusion and or your home becoming pressurized.
Does hurricane fabric really work?Yes. Fabric storm panels are hurricane–rated and can protect your home just as well as other storm shutters.
What is the average cost of fabric panels?Fabric hurricane shutter panels are more affordable vs many other types of hurricane protection. You can expect to pay around $17/SQFT. If you need a comparison of cost between different options you can read our guide on hurricane shutters cost.
What is hurricane fabric made of?Our ArmorPanel Fabric Storm Panels are made from DuPont KEVLAR® reinforced, soft-sided fabric. DuPont KEVLAR® is an extremely tough yet flexible, light-weight and impact resistant fabric.
There are many options when it comes to storm protection. Choosing the best hurricane shutters for your Florida home depends on your needs and preferences. Do your research and understand the pros and cons of each option. Make sure you are taking the steps necessary to protect your home and family, regardless of which product you choose. It’s also a good idea to research how to prepare your house & family for a hurricane.
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