KNOW THE HOME. PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP.
Choosing Hurricane Protection for Windows and Doors
Compare hurricane protection for windows and doors using approved systems, documented ratings and installation requirements that fit the property.
Quick recap
- Window and door protection must fit the specific opening, approved product requirements and installation details.
- Include garage doors and all relevant openings, keep product records, and ask a qualified contractor about missing or damaged parts.
- Window film is not a substitute for adequate hurricane protection. A Wind Mitigation report documents features; your insurer decides any applicable credits.
Opening protection should be selected for the particular building, opening and installation requirements. A label such as “hurricane shutter” or “impact window” is not enough to establish how a complete installation will perform. Ask a qualified contractor to explain the product approval, required attachments and whether the proposed system is suitable for your home.
Review the whole opening
Include windows, exterior doors and garage doors in the discussion. Ask which openings have documented protection, how panels or shutters are deployed and whether any parts are missing. Keep product records and installation documentation where they can be found for maintenance or insurance review.
There is no blanket guarantee that every shutter style will withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Wind loads, debris exposure, the building and installation all matter. The Florida Hurricane Retrofit Guide also says window film is not adequate hurricane protection for residential windows. Do not use it as a substitute for an appropriate protective system.
Separate protection from insurance documentation
A Wind Mitigation Inspection can document eligible features using the applicable form and supporting evidence. Your insurer decides how the verified information affects your policy. Neither an inspection report nor a product purchase guarantees a discount, and the inspection does not design a retrofit.
Plan improvements while there is time to evaluate proposals and install them correctly. Test the normal operation of your existing system according to its instructions; ask for professional help if parts are damaged or deployment is unsafe. Avoid ad hoc changes to a garage door or its tracks.
Read the Florida opening-protection guide. For documentation questions, explore Wind Mitigation Inspections or contact DAMNGOOD with your property details and available records.