There are many products on the market to protect windows and doors from hurricanes and other storms. There are also a variety of State and local approvals that are appropriate for different types of products in different locations. Looking at the State of Florida as a standard on developing approvals there are three types of designations:
1) The most stringent rating is the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) for locations where the wind velocity is 140 miles per hour (mph) or over, such as Miami, Dade County, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida.
2) For locations where the wind design velocity is 120 mph and over, the designation is Wind-Borne Debris Regions.
How to use the Florida Department of Communities Affairs website
The Florida Department of Communities Affairs (FDCA) maintains a website where it tracks approvals of companies that sell Exterior Doors, Panel Walls, Roofing, Shutters, Skylights, Structural Components, and Windows (www.floridabuilding.org). The number of companies is extensive and there are too many to list and describe on this website. However, by using the FDCA website to determine the rating, you can find out if any of the above-listed products are appropriate for your area of the country. You can determine the wind speed in your part of the U.S. by using the Wind Speed website: www.windspeedbyzip.com. Once the wind speed is determined, you can search for a company on the FDCA website. The webpage listed above for FDCA is divided into Application and Products. Under the Application section, enter the product Category (and Sub-Category if appropriate). Enter the Application Status as ‘approved.’ Under Product choose ‘yes’ for either ‘Approved for use in HVHZ’ or ‘Approved for use outside the HVHZ.’ Then click ‘Search.’ This will lead you to a list of approved companies that make the product you are searching for in the wind design velocity designation where you live.
For example, if my area code is 34655, in Trinity, Florida, I would locate my wind speed on the windborne map or the wind speed by zip code website. www.dca.state.fl.us/FBC/maps/Wind_borne_MAP_081208.pdf or www.windspeedbyzip.com I find that the wind design velocity for my area is 120 mph. I now know that I will be looking for my product, hurricane shutters, in the ‘Approved for use outside HVHZ’ category, on the website ( www.floridabuilding.org). So I begin the search for companies by clicking the following search criteria. Under Application, I click on the list of Categories and choose ‘shutters.’ I am interested in Storm Panels, so under Sub-Categories I click ‘Storm Panels.’ I want approved companies, so I click on the list for Application Status and click ‘Approved.’ Then I move down the page to Products and click ‘yes’ for ‘Approved for use outside the HVHZ.’ After clicking on ‘search,’ four pages of companies that make storm panels and have been approved for use in areas with 120 mph and above wind velocity appear.
Ten companies that offer unique wind protection products
Below are profiles for companies that offer wind protection products and a few that offer hurricane shutters. The few company profiles mentioned that offer hurricane shutters are listed because they were well publicized and approved for use in the HVHZ. There are many other companies that sell HVHZ approved hurricane shutters. Following the company profiles are separate lists of companies that are HVHZ approved and sell either hurricane panels or skylights. The last list includes all products that are HVHZ approved and made from polycarbonate.
1. Armor Screen Corporation, a U.S. Company, has a patented protection system for use over windows and other openings prior to a windstorm. The screen itself is made from a unique interwoven design that is corrosion resistant and transparent. The system is strong enough that flying debris bounces off the screen. The system can be used to protect walkways, patios, balconies, and courtyards. As openings vary, a custom design can be ordered for each opening. The system is one-tenth the weight of an aluminum system and it will deploy in minutes. The Armor Screen Series 2000 Flexible Wind Abatement shutter was approved for use in the HVHZ. Armor Screen was nominated for the Florida Governor’s Award for Innovation in Technology.
2. Polygal Plastics Industries Ltd. (Polygal), headquartered in Israel, has marketing and distribution subsidiaries in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the U.S. In 1976, Polygal was the very first manufacturer in the world to produce a polycarbonate structured sheet. Due to Polygal’s continuous innovation it was awarded the Best Innovation Award of the European Plastics Converters in July 2007 for a ski tunnel project in Finland. Three of Polygal’s storm panels have HVHZ approval from the Florida Building Commission. Those products are its 16 millimeter (mm) SG Hurricane Panel System, the 16 mmSG Stormguard 3, and the 16 mm Tital SkyStormGuard 3D. Products are sold internationally.
3. PGT Industries (PGT), a U.S. company, has manufactured windows and doors for over 26 years. PGT has windows, exterior doors, and panel walls for storefronts that have been rated by the Florida Building Commission as HVHZ approved. PGT notes that one window line, the WinGuard Impact Resistant Windows, never had even one reported failure during the storm seasons of 2004-2005. The WinGuard series includes Fixed Windows, Casement Projected Windows, Single Hung Windows, Horizontal Roller Windows, and Casement Windows. The WinGuard doors include Sliding Glass Doors and French Doors with Sidelites. According to the manufacturer, PGT has more Notices of Acceptance (NOA) from the Florida Building Commission for use within the HVHZ than any other manufacturer of impact resistant windows and doors.
4. Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Inc., is a 60 year old company, headquartered in the U.S. Kolbe is known for superior craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Several of its windows and doors meet the stringent Florida Building Code standard of use inside the HVHZ. One such product is the Windquest® Series of vinyl windows. It is HVHZ approved for use in areas with 130 to 150 mph winds. The Windquest® Series is one of Kolbe’s K-Force impact products with one laminated window pane. This Series uses dual-glazed insulating impact glass as its standard. The K-Force and Windquest® products have the same high quality appearance as other Kolbe windows, have no unsightly brackets or visible rods, have no extra locks to fasten, and offer safety and security from flying debris. Windows and doors are sold in Canada, Ireland, the U.K., Netherland, Korea, and China.
5. Sector 10, Inc., a U.S. corporation, has created Stationary Response Units – Media (SRU-M) and Mobile Response Units (MRU) for emergency use. The units contain communications components that are managed and supervised by a Global Communications Network (GCN) to provide onsite pre-deployed resources for an emergency response. The GCN is integrated with the Emergency Alert System that includes alerts issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Two of Sector 10’s MRUs provide services for Humanitarian Relief and Disasters and provide services to schools. The Humanitarian MRU is stocked with family shelters, water purification systems, water bottles, emergency rations, space blankets, satellite communications, portable toilets, and power supplies. The school MRU is stocked with large shelters, water purification systems, emergency rations, extrication tools/vests, cell phones, first aid supplies, and many other items. The units are reasonably priced. The Humanitarian units can be purchased by corporate and private foundations for placement in third world countries.
6. Stanley Bostitich, a U.S. corporation, was founded in 1843 and is well known for top-quality and innovative fastening tools and fasteners for construction, industrial, and home improvement applications. Taking six years to develop it, Stanley Bostitch introduced a new product in recent years, the HurriQuake® Nail. It is particularly useful in earthquake and hurricane prone areas as the bottom section of the nail is circled with angled barbs that resist being pulled out in winds up to 176 mph. The nail has a twisted top called the spiral shank. It is this shank that keeps the planks from wobbling, a problem that leads to joint weakening. The cost of the nail adds only an additional $15 to the overall cost of a new home. In summary, the HurriQuake® Nail reduces the potential for major structural building damage. Products are sold in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Netherland, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K.
7. Storm Stoppers, a U.S. corporation, offers a self-installed hurricane panel made from 3/8 inch thick translucent corrugated plastic, with 3M Dual Lock™ fasteners. ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996 Large Missile Impact Tests showed the Storm Stoppers® panels were safe to use in winds up to 130 mph. One man stated he put up 24 panels in 45 minutes, indicating how easy the panels are to attach prior to a storm. These panels were considered the lowest priced hurricane protection product accepted by Citizens Insurance and many other insurance companies. Panels are sold throughout the U.S.
8. DRD Enterprises Inc. of Davie Duns, a U.S. veteran owned company, created the Safe Dome, which can be used as a shed or a shelter. It is a monolithic concrete design with a concrete and steel foundation using 3,500 psi concrete and #3 steel every 12 inches. The dome comes with a window and a 48 inch by 6 foot 8 inch door embedded in the concrete. The dome has been certified by the Federal Government, contract GS 07F 0517U. With a diameter of 10 feet and standing 9 feet high, the 8 ton building is virtually indestructible. Safe domes are capable of withstanding 200 mph winds. As of August 2008, they were priced as low as $4,500. A larger module called the Inverness Dome Home is 30 feet in diameter and 13 feet high. This module has 3 inches of closed cell urethane foam allowing the interior temperature to remain at 78 degrees all year. They can be modified with sliding glass doors, accordion doors, or skylights.
9. Kodiak Steel Homes, headquartered in the U.S., chose the Kodiak name because the image of the bear suggested strength and harmony with nature, important attributes of the Kodiak home. The steel homes sell as a kit and have bolt-together red iron framing that provide maximum strength and non-flammable materials. The house kit is organized by a numbering system to make it easy to assemble. The kit only requires the assistance of motorized lifting equipment for unloading the steel. Another option is to have a local contractor assemble the home for you. Prices range from $75 - $90 per square foot. Additionally, the homes are designed to withstand 140 mph winds. A Kynar-coated steel roof system has earned Underwriters Laboratories highest wind uplift rating. External options for the homes vary and can incorporate high impact resistant steel siding if desired. Pictures on the website of before and after Hurricane Katrina are a "must see."
10. Safe Porch, Inc., a U.S. corporation, offers a 50 year warranty on its dual function porch and storm shelter. Made from high compression concrete, which is poured over steel mesh screens and rebar, the shelter’s walls are 4 ½ inches thick and can withstand winds of 250 mph, making it an appropriate shelter for tornadoes or hurricanes. The shelter looks like a front porch on your house. It has two watertight windows and more than half of the shelter is located underground, which adds to its resistance to storms. The safety factor and convenience of having a shelter just a step outside your front door should not be underestimated. The storm shelter is relatively inexpensive when compared to underground concrete shelters. Additionally, the interior of the shelter can be designed to meet the comfort level of the owners and can include phones, a TV, and other personal items.
Twenty-six companies that offer HVHZ approved window storm panels
The following is a list of 26 companies that offer HVHZ window storm panels approved by the Florida Building Commission. The materials in the products and some websites are also included.
4. Atlantic Metal Extrusions, LLC – rollup and accordion shutters made from extruded aluminum
5. Atrium Companies, Inc. - made from corrugated galvanized steel
6. Bovard Studio, Inc. – aluminum fixed shutter
7. CAT-5 Protection, Inc. - fabric net system with steel eyelets in the anchors
8. Centurion Security Screen Company, Ltd. – extruded aluminum frame and screen fabric made from high tensile stainless steel
9. Clearly-Protected LLC – polycarbonate reinforced panel with foam weatherseal
10. Custom Hurricane Products, LLC - 20 mil 100 percent polypropylene with 2 inch wide thermo-sealed polypropylene webbing on the front and back of the screen with various attachments
15. JHRG, LLC – aluminum storm panels with anchors
16. Kane Manufacturing Corporation - perforated stainless steel / extruded aluminum stile and rail hinged storm panel - Model (A-HUR-PHX-O)
17. Lights of America - 0.118 inches (min.) clear Lexan corrugated storm panel shutter system
18. Master Machines, Inc. - 0.063 aluminum storm panels with anchors
19. Metals USA Building Products - 0.050 inch Metal's USA storm panel on Metal's USA sunroom wall assemblies - .050 inch aluminum storm panel
20. Ocean Shutters Manufacturing, Inc. – 2 inch deep x 12 inch wide coverage, corrugated aluminum panel - 2 inch deep x 12 inch wide coverage, corrugated steel panel
21. Polygal, Inc. - 16mmSG polycarbonate panel with 2 inch aluminum perimeter with a maximum size of 72 x 96 inches - 16mm triple wall polycarbonate sheet without perimeter profiles. 48 x 96 inch maximum size - 16mm triple wall diamond polycarbonate sheet without perimeter profiles. 48 x 96 inch maximum size
