What are roll-down hurricane shutters?
Roll-down hurricane shutters, also called rolling shutters, are permanent aluminum shutters that live in a box mounted above an opening. When a storm is coming, the shutter rolls down along tracks on each side and covers the window, door or entry completely.
Because they stay on the house year-round, there is nothing to store in the garage and nothing to bolt up at the last minute. When you do not need them, they roll back into the box and stay out of the way.
Advanced Hurricane Protection is a family-owned company that has served the Treasure Coast for over 20 years. We work out of our shop in Stuart and install rolling shutters on homes, condos and businesses.
How do roll-down shutters work?
A roll-down shutter is a curtain of interlocking aluminum slats that winds around a tube inside the box above the opening. As it lowers, the edges ride in side tracks that hold the shutter in place against the wind.
A small motor inside the tube does the work, so you lower the shutter with a wall switch, a remote or a smart control. The shutter can also stop part of the way down for shade or privacy on a sunny day.
Why are your roll-down shutters motorized?
Because closing up should take a button, not a ladder. A motor makes large, high and hard-to-reach openings as easy to protect as a small window, so you can close the whole house quickly when a storm is forecast.
Motorized shutters are also a good fit for second homes and seasonal residents, since they are simple for a neighbor or property manager to close. Power often goes out during a storm, so plan to close your shutters while you still have power. Many motor systems can also be fitted with a manual override or a battery backup. We go over the options opening by opening during your free in-home estimate.
Roll-down vs accordion shutters: which is better?
Roll-down shutters are the push-button choice; accordions are the budget choice. Both stay on the house year-round and protect against wind and flying debris.
A rolling shutter hides in a box above the opening and comes down by motor, so there is nothing stacked at the sides of the window. Accordion shutters fold to the sides and slide closed by hand along a track, and they usually cost less per opening. If you want push-button storm prep or a clean look on the front of the house, roll-down shutters are usually worth it.
- Roll-down: aluminum, stored in a box above the opening, motorized
- Accordion: folds to the sides, closes by hand, lower price point
- Both: permanently mounted, no panels to store or haul
Where can rolling shutters be installed?
Rolling shutters fit windows, doors, sliding glass doors, entries and even full patio openings. One rolling shutter can protect a front door, its transom window and the sidelights in a single run.
They are also a good fit on high-rise condos and balconies, where reaching the outside of a window is not practical. On one 11th-floor job, our technicians worked from a swing stage with no lift access to install new impact windows followed by a motorized rolling shutter.
- Windows and sliding glass doors
- Front entries with transoms and sidelights
- Lanais, patios and summer kitchens
- Condo balconies and high-rise units
- Storefronts, offices and restaurants
Do roll-down shutters add security year-round?
Yes. A closed rolling shutter makes forced entry much harder, so many owners lower them when they leave for the summer or travel. They also block light and help with privacy on street-facing windows.
For outdoor kitchens and patios, we can pair a rolling shutter with a stainless steel security screen behind it. The screen gives you airflow and protection day to day, and the shutter closes everything up when you are away or a storm is coming.
What does a roll-down shutter cost?
The cost of a roll-down shutter depends mostly on the size of the opening, the motor and controls you choose, and how the box can be mounted. Larger and taller openings need more material and stronger components.
Other factors include the number of openings, the finish color, any accessibility needs such as keeping a clear path on stairs, and permit requirements. High-rise and hard-to-reach installs also take more labor. The simplest way to get a real price is a free in-home estimate: we measure every opening and give you a clear written quote.
Do roll-down shutters meet the Florida Building Code?
They should, and ours do. All the products we install are Florida Building Code approved and rated for Category 5 hurricane conditions.
Most hurricane shutter installations in Florida also need a permit and inspection. Our team handles the permitting process and coordinates the inspections. That paperwork can also matter if your insurance company asks about your opening protection.