Warranty & Return Questions
1. What is your return policy?
2. Tell me about your warranty.
Delivery & Billing Questions
1a. Can I pick up my order at your Sarasota, FL location?
SURE! Just give us a call to make arrangements to pick up your order at our warehouse in Sarasota Florida during regular business hours.
1b. How long will it take to receive my shutters?
CURRENT DELIVERY TIMES
During Hurricane Season, lead times are a moving target. Please add the products of interest to your shopping cart, SAVE YOUR CART indicating you'd like a shutter specialist to contact you and any specific questions, like delivery times. We will do everything in our power to deliver a quality product as fast as we can.
Payment is due and payable with the order. All storm shutters are custom made. To insure the best pricing and quickest service, we insist that ALL shipments are prepaid. This eliminates the cost of receivables, giving you the best price possible.
The normal ship time from receipt of a confirmed order for a standard finish storm shutter product is 4 weeks. This is during most of the year. However, if you wait until Hurricane Season, your wait could be longer. We have large production capabilities but for some "unknown ;-) " reason we receive 80% of our consumer orders from May to October every year.
We have seen a large increase over the last couple of years in orders for off-season delivery. We hope this trend continues. I for one want all of our customers protected when the next storm strikes. Please, place your orders early so you aren't one calling us right before the storm hits with an "I don't suppose" question.
General Product Questions
1. Which product is best for me? Take a look at our shutter comparison chart.
2. What is a Hurricane Shutter?
Storm shutters are products designed to limit damage to window and door openings caused by high winds and flying objects. Commonly, they are popular in coastal areas, but storm shutters are rapidly growing in popularity in all areas threatened by high winds, hurricane conditions, or tornadoes.
3. Why Should I have Hurricane Shutters?
Your Treasures. Storm protection is a small part of the reason people decide to purchase these products. We find most make the purchase to protect the investment they have in a home and all of the treasures inside. Sure the motivation for us on the coast is to limit the damage from hurricanes. However it sure is nice to leave for the winter knowing your home is safe from intruders -- Sun damage and Hurricanes.
Legislation. The coastal areas of the US are rapidly requiring storm protection on new homes and even homes that are undergoing a major remodel. Check with your local building department to determine your local requirements. Florida has already passed legislation requiring this protection. You may find your municipality will be doing the same. You will be dollars ahead come resale time if you have already installed approved storm shutters.
Reduced Insurance Costs. Another reason consumers purchase storm protection is to satisfy insurance companies requirements to obtain reasonable cost insurance.
4. How much protection do Storm Shutters provide?
Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew were instrumental in an industry-wide upgrade of the standards for "storm shutters". Standard building codes require a product to withstand 110 M.P.H. winds. The "newer standard", commonly called ASCE-7-88, increases the wind-load standard plus adds a positive and negative wind loads test and a positive and negative "cycling test" plus an "impact test". The new standards are much more stringent and expensive to satisfy but do provide a real degree of protection. The only Florida counties that have formally adopted many of the new standards are Dade, Broward, Palm Beach & Monroe counties.
The State of Florida has expanded, effective 6-1-2001, the requirement for storm shutters on all new construction within the coastal zone designation.
5. Should I only protect the openings facing the water?
Hurricane protections only works if the building remains intact. Leaving any windows or doors unprotected during a hurricane exposes your home to a total loss from the extreme pressure change caused when a window or door implodes from hurricane winds. This dramatically increases the internal pressures of your home while the hurricane is trying to remove your roof with the suction of high winds passing over your roof. The combination is often disastrous with total destruction of a perfectly good building. Bottom Line? All openings must be protected or you have virtually no hurricane protection in the event of a real hurricane.
6. The prevailing winds are from the south at my home. Should I install shutters on the south side only?
The real protection from Hurricane force winds and wind driven projectiles must be applied to ALL openings regardless of the "prevailing" winds in your area. When Andrew struck Florida there was no such thing as "prevailing" winds. The tornadoes and heavy winds struck from every direction.
The real protection from Hurricane force winds and wind driven projectiles must be applied to ALL openings regardless of the "prevailing" winds in your area. When Andrew struck Florida there was no such thing as "prevailing" winds. The tornadoes and heavy winds struck from every direction.
7. What materials are used for Hurricane Shutters?
The primary material used is aluminum. The alloys and strengths are determined by the application. Many roll-up shutter companies have used extruded vinyl slats or aluminum-roll formed foam-filled slats in their products. None of these slats meet the new ASCE-7-88 codes for roll-up storm shutters. The extruded aluminum double-wall slat and a heavy wall aluminum roll formed resin filled slat has proven itself to be the only way to satisfy the new standards in a roll shutter application.
8. How much do they cost?
The cost for storm protection starts at $7.50 per sq./ft. for storm panels to $35 and up for the best in roll-up shutter protection. Click here for on-line pricing and ordering
9. How do I design my new project to include Storm Shutters?
Most architects have knowledge of storm shutters but find it difficult to stay on top of new developments in every industry they must work with. Legends Direct, Inc. will provide consulting on any project you may have. Refer your architect to us for assistance in designing an efficient, complete protection package for your home or business
Questions We Received via Email
1. I plan on installing your hurricane panels on a block constructed house and have done the measurements, but have a couple of questions related to the mounting of the panels. Some of my windows have a sill which sticks out past the side of the house and the sill is sloped for water run off. What type of mounting can I use for a vertical flush mount? I also have window with a decorative foam board surrounding the window, and therefore want to do an inside mount. Again the sill has a slant, so what type of mount can I use? Also can I remove the sill mount after the hurricane season? Finally, I have some patio doors with one-inch brick moulding and the door handle sticks out about two inches. What type of mounting can I use, and can the bottom mount be removed? Also since I live in Venice, would it be OK to visit you and look at the different mounting options?
Your situation is a common installation. The easiest way is to use a horizontal installation and "F" tracks on the side outside of the trim. The "F" track is available in build outs 1", 2" and 3". Choose the appropriate build-out extension that will barely clear the trim. The "F" part of the track will actually be on top of the trim and the track will be attached directly to the concrete wall just outside of the trim.
These details are part of the confirmation we perform after the actual order is received. I would recommend that you indicate in the comments section that you have some windows with foam trim. That will alert the specialist that you have such a situation. We will also need the dimension outside to outside of the trim during that confirmation process.
I don't recommend that you attach sills to the window drip sills. The possibility of breaking the window sill is too great and they are not designed for anything but a drip sill.
The patio doors will be a vertical surface mount using a standard "H" header. The sill can be installed using Tampin(R) Brand Machine Screw Anchors making it removable. The knob will fit inside of the high side of the corrugation in the panel. You may have to slide the panels slightly one way or another to make sure the knob lines up properly with the panel. In most situations they line up with no horizontal adjustment of the panels.
I made the assumption that there was a knob that was the problem. We have in some extreme cases actually cut enough of a hole in a panel rather than use a build out. If the issue is a sliding glass door handle, most can simply be removed leaving a finger grip for opening and closing the door. You have guessed by now I don't like to use build outs if there is a better way.
2. For a glass sliding door, could the headers and/or sills for storm panels be mounted on the side? I don't think I'd want to step over a sill. Please advise.
The panels can be installed horizontally and you don't need any header or sill. You use a fastener that basically installs a 1/4-20 nut in the wall Tampin(R). You then use a side walk bolt to attach the panel when a storm threat exists. Here are some photos.
3. Is the hardware included with Storm Panels?
The horizontal mount does not include the hardware. However, during the order process, we determine the exact type of fastener you need and add that to your order. The cost of the fasteners is small. The expensive part are the panels.
All of your questions will be answered before you are under any obligation whatsoever.
4. I am interested in clear lexan panels for 18 windows and 2 doors. Should I E-mail all the sizes for a price?
The quickest and most accurate way to obtain prices and place your order is on the web site. Click here for storm panel pricing and ordering. You will find a material drop down menu where you can choose the Lexan material.
5. Do your hurricane shutters meet the Dade-Broward County standards? Will I get that in writing so I can prove it to my insurance company?
We have the necessary documentation for your insurance company. The shutters all meet the Dade county standards. However, unless you require that specific Dade approval the SBCCI standard will serve to make your insurance company happy.
6. I'm trying to get approximate prices for rolling shutters and storm panels. When I entered the sizes and clicked on the thickest rolling shutter, it still said NOT RECOMMENDED FOR HURRICANE - HUH? Please explain.
Our on-line pricing is accurate. We sell lots of rolling shutters for all sorts of purposes. There are 3 categories available - light, medium and hurricane. This is the first choice you must make in the rolling shutter screen. Take a close look at the page and you will see the check box for level of protection. It sounds like you want storm protection so click the box next to Hurricane. Click here for rolling shutter pricing and ordering
7. We are looking to purchase a mix of colonial shutters and accordion shutters for the upper level windows on our home. Can we get more information from you on this?
I believe you will find most if not all of the information on the web site to make an informed decision. However we are available by phone daily (888-795-9441) to respond to any questions you may have. It would be very helpful in the dialog if you would place your order online as a saved list. Then our specialists can discuss the details of your needs and respond more quickly to your questions. Click here for lean more about the ordering process.
8. Do you have any printed information on measuring, installation and pricing that you can send me because I would like to install them myself?
The information you seek is on the web site. The menu on the left side of this page has a list of shutter styles that you can click on for product information and pricing. Once you pick your style, check the menu for measuring and installation. You will also find a link for pricing and certain products have measuring forms which you can print out to help you organize the process of measuring. Click here for lean more about the ordering process.
If you have any questions feel free to call 888-795-9441.
9. I have 10 french doors and I would like to eliminate sills and use direct sidewalk bolts to wood inserts . Please note 6 of the french doors are not wood but composite wood fiberglass . Please advise whether this is feasible and how many I should use for each panel.
I gather from your comments you will be installing horizontally. Good move. The number of fasteners is calculated using the number of panels per opening times four plus four.
The fasteners don't attach to the door frame. They are installed on the surface around the opening. We protect openings. Openings in a structure can be windows, doors or open hall ways. The fasteners will be into the area immediately surrounding the opening. If your home is frame, then wood inserts are in order. If your home is concrete block and steel construction, then Tampins(R) are the proper fasteners.
10. Please give me the approximate weights for storm panels to fit an opening of 77.5 x 105 high, vertical mount in both Lexan and aluminum. Also, do you have a suggested installer for roll hurricane shutters in the Gulfport, Mississippi area?
The weight of aluminum and lexan will be 60 pounds for the 9 panels. Each panel weighs approx. 6.8 lbs.
We sell the shutters directly to consumers to install. We don't have any installers in your area to recommend. The experienced installers we know about are scheduled for the next 90 days. They don't answer the phone even when we call.
All the more reason for you to install the shutters or hire a local person to help you. It is not difficult it just takes time. The piece of mind the shutters can provide is well worth the effort.
11. When someone orders storm panels, such as aluminum or clear, are all the fasteners included in the price, Tampins(R), screws, etc. or do they have to be ordered separately?
We include all of the hardware. However, we don't include the fasteners as the type changes with your geographic location and the type of construction.
Once you place your order, during the confirmation process, we will determine the type fasteners you need and offer them at an attractive price for delivery with your shutter order. Fasteners are inexpensive, e.g., a $1,000 panel order may require $23 worth of fasteners.
12. How does one calculate wind pressure for a given wind speed (granted other factors besides wind speed affect wind pressure)?
We have a program that provides that answer. Leave it to engineers to cause this type of confusion. If you have a specific wind load/wind speed scenario let me know and I will calculate it for you.
13. I live on Roatan, an island 35 miles north of the coast of Honduras. The construction of my house is with Eco-blocks. It is 2-1/2 Styrofoam blocks, with 6" of concrete with rebar in the center. There is 1/2" of stucco type material on the outside. You have to go 3" through the wall before you hit the concrete. What would you suggest on mounting storm panels.?
This type of construction always (usually) has a frame inside of each opening usually made of wood. This frame is called a BUC. It is used to attach windows and doors to the building. This is the attach point for your shutters.
I have the same type of construction for my home. The walls are very strong but it does make one resourceful when installing anything.
Check with the contractor that built the house to confirm that BUC's were used and where you can find them. Visit a job site for new similar type construction and you will see how the system works.
The dimensions we need are still the openings in width and height. Then in the comments section let us know the type construction so we make the correct allowances when making the shutters.
The alternative is to use long Tapcons (6") to attach the header and sills into the concrete core. I used this to install my satellite dish and it worked well.
12. What is the primary advantage of Brass Tampins(R) over the Lead Tampins(R)?
The brass insert lasts longer and is worth the extra money.
13. What is the difference between the two Tampins(R) drill bits?
The difference in the two bits is nil. Buy the imported version. We offer both for those who prefer to buy from an American company.
14. What length Sidewalk Screw should normally be used in a standard masonry block home - 1", 1.5" or 2"?
The length of the bolt is determined by how thick the material is you are attaching. The normal depth of the Tampin(R) into the block is 1" to 1-1/4". We use the 1" side walk bolt for direct panel installations and the 1-1/4" when using standard headers and sills. You will need longer bolts if you have, for example, a foam-trim piece around your opening you have to drill through before reaching the block the Tampin(R) is set in. Or you will need longer side-walk bolts if you have a thick item you are using to attach a header or sill to the building.
15. I am considering Bahama shutters for my beach home. It is sided with Vinyl lap siding with vinyl windows. The windows include a minor trim strip that protrudes about 1/2" from the window. Does this or the lap siding present an installation challenge? Also, two of the windows are closely spaced (about 6" apart) is there an arm arrangement that will accommodate these windows?
The Bahama shutter is easily installed on a vinyl sided building.
If the trim you describe around the window is 3-4" wide we usually lift the trim up and insert a 1"x2" piece of pressure treated wood behind the trim. Then attache the hinge thru the trim and the piece we inserted into the solid window header. You will need 2-1/2" #14 screws for this. Place the screws on 6"-10" centers.
If you don't have the aforementioned trim this will be the procedure to follow.
The hinge at the top needs to be fastened securely thru the vinyl siding at a point where the siding is snug to the wood surface under the siding. The support arms can be mounted to the building at the same point where the vinyl is snug to the wood surface. The purpose of securing the arms and the hinges at the point where the siding is up against the wood frame underneath is to limit any deformation of the vinyl siding. This is a pretty simple procedure that simply takes a little thought.
The 6" you have between the windows is adequate to mount separate Bahama shutters. You might consider one large shutter that would cover both.
|
Hurricane Shutters