Let's start by understanding what storm shutters actually do for you. The bottom line is they protect the glass in your windows and doors from damaging impacts from wind-blown debris during a Hurricane.
Your windows and doors are your first line of defense.The glass in today's windows and doors are poor protection against the impact of wind-blown debris. Properly installed windows and doors can withstand tremendous windloads and truly can withstand hurricane-force winds and the pressures, negative and positive, generally associated with hurricane-force winds. Throw a couple of small wind-blown missiles at the window or door glass and it will likely break. The instant the glass breaks and the structure is pressurized by the wind blowing in you have a disaster in the offing. Consider the internal pressure of the building is increasing dramatically and the storm winds are rushing over the roof doing its best to rip the roof off. The battle of the roof is lost as the pressure inside and the suction on the roof combine to rip the roof off and weaken the structure to the point it collapses. We have all seen the pictures of this type of destruction.
Let's suppose a wind-abatement product had been used over that window that broke allowing the pressures to increase inside. A properly installed wind-abatement system would have prevented the huge build up of internal pressure that blows off the roof.
How does it do that?
The Storm Catcher wind-abatement product reduces wind by 97%.
Let's consider a Lanai that uses the Storm Catcher wind-abatement system to protect the entire lanai area including all of the windows and doors that are in the lanai. The winds in the Lanai during Charlie were reduced the point one customer actually sat in the Lanai and was able to comfortably smoke a cigarette. This customer did not sustain any storm-related damage at all while homes around her were being destroyed. The Storm Catcher wind-abatement system passed all the same tests that all conventional shutters must pass including 100’s of impact tests with no failures or damage.
WOW! you say what is the Storm Catcher made of? The Storm Catcher is fabricated using a light-weight geo synthetic fabric. This fabric has properties similar to Kevlar. Let's just say it is strong, can be folded and stored easily, low maintenance, stronger than alot of steel shutter products, you can see through it and has passed all Dade County and the new Florida building code compliant tests. (FBC # FL 804).
Sounds like the ultimate solution for storm protection.
Well not so quick. Yes, the Storm Catcher is a great product but there is one cavaet you must know.
The Storm Catcher deflects under wind loads. Not a surprise; after all it is a fabric. Well suppose the fabric deflects up against the glass of a window and a wind-blown missile strikes the Storm Catcher fabric that is pressed up against the window? Yes you guessed it the window breaks.
Not good, but not a catastrophe either. The Storm Catcher wind-abatement system stops 97% of the wind; and therefore, little or no pressure builds up in the structure. That is a good thing! When there is no pressure build up, you stand a much better chance to prevent the catastrophic loss of the entire structure.
Now you know the good, the bad and the ugly about wind abatement systems...
As a consumer what is best for me?
The best use of the Storm Catcher wind-abatement system is to provide protection for large covered areas such as a lanai. The lanai will allow the Storm Catcher to deflect as far as it can during hurricane- force winds. The Storm Catcher can also absorb all of the impacts from flying debris protecting everything in the lanai and all of the windows and doors. BEST PRODUCT I KNOW OF!
What about my windows and doors that are not in a lanai?
The Storm Catcher wind-abatement system can be used on any window or door with the understanding that you may have a broken window but your home will be protected against catastrophic loss. Yes, you may have to wipe up some water and clean up the broken glass but your house will not be subjected to the huge internal pressure build up that could cause the total loss of your home.
What do I like about the Storm Catcher wind abatement sytem?
- Inexpensive
- Easy to install
- Easy to store in its own bag under a bed
- Does not corrode
- I can see through it.
- As strong or stronger than most metal shutters
- Has very little visual impact on home.
- Passed all the tests including Dade County
- Quick deployment
- Can withstand wind loads of up to 200 mph
- Protects large covered areas without breaking the bank
- Accepted by many insurance companies for storm shutter discounts
- Meets new New Florida Building code
Everyone looking for a simple, effective and inexpensive storm protection system should consider The Storm Catcher wind-abatement system.
Hurricane Shutters
