Guide
Which hurricane protection is right for your home?
Many Florida homes use a mix. Impact windows and doors protect all year with nothing to do. Roll-down shutters close at the push of a button. Accordion shutters are a lower-cost option you close by hand. Motorized screens add everyday shade and privacy to outdoor living spaces. The right choice depends on each opening, your budget and whether someone is home when a storm comes.
Side-by-side comparison
| Option | Everyday use | Before a storm | Best for | Look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorized screens | Yes: shade, privacy, bugs | Button, remote or smart control | Lanais, patios, pool cabanas, summer kitchens | Hidden in a slim box when up |
| Aluminum roll-down shutters | Privacy, light and noise control | Push of a button (motorized) | Large windows, sliders, second floors | Box above each opening |
| Accordion shutters | Can double as security | Slide closed and lock by hand | Doors, sliders, wide openings on a budget | Stacked beside the opening |
| Impact windows | Yes: quieter, more secure, UV filtering | Nothing to do, always protected | Whole-home upgrades, homes left empty in season | Looks like a regular window |
| Impact doors | Yes: security and insulation | Nothing to do, always protected | Entry and sliding glass doors | Looks like a regular door |
Start with how you live, not just the storm
Hurricane protection works best when it fits how you use your home every day. If you spend afternoons on the lanai, motorized screens give you shade and bug-free evenings all year. If you travel in the summer, impact windows or motorized roll-down shutters mean nobody has to rush home to close up the house.
Think opening by opening
A big sliding door, a second-story window and a front entry door all have different needs. Many homeowners put impact glass where they want views and light, roll-down shutters on large openings that are hard to reach, and accordion shutters where budget matters most.
Make sure it meets Florida code
Products used for hurricane protection in Florida need the right state product approval for where they’re installed. Our team confirms the approvals for every opening and handles the paperwork so you know your protection is up to code.
Get a recommendation for your home
The fastest way to choose is a free in-home estimate. We look at every opening, explain your options in plain words and give you a written quote you can compare.
Hurricane protection questions
What is the best hurricane protection for a Florida home?
There is no single right answer. Impact windows and doors protect all year with nothing to put up. Roll-down shutters give strong protection at the push of a button. Accordion shutters are a lower-cost choice that closes by hand. Motorized screens add everyday shade and privacy and help protect outdoor living areas. Most homes use a mix, chosen opening by opening.
Are hurricane shutters or impact windows better?
Impact windows protect without any action from you and also cut noise and add security, but they usually cost more up front. Shutters cost less per opening and offer strong protection, but someone has to close them before a storm. If the home sits empty for part of the year, impact glass or motorized shutters remove the need for someone to be there.
Can motorized screens replace hurricane shutters?
Standard motorized screens are built for shade, privacy and insects. Hurricane screens such as the MagnaTrack Defender, which the manufacturer lists under Florida Building Code approval FBC#30798, are made for storm protection. If an opening needs code-approved hurricane protection, we will tell you which product meets the requirement for that opening.
Does Florida require hurricane protection on windows?
In Florida’s wind-borne debris regions, which include Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, the Florida Building Code requires glazed openings in new construction and qualifying replacements to be impact-rated or protected by approved shutters. Requirements depend on location and the work being done, so we confirm what applies to your home during the estimate.
How long does it take to install hurricane shutters or screens?
Timing depends on product lead times, permitting and the size of the job. We give you a realistic timeline in your written quote. Booking before hurricane season starts in June is the best way to avoid waiting when a storm is on the way.
Talk to the family team in Stuart.
Free in-home estimates across the Treasure Coast. We measure, explain your options and send a clear written quote.