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Thank you for choosing Folding Shutter Corporation, we look forward to serving your storm shutter needs.

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next severe weather threat please visit our website FoldingShutters.com

Hurricane Shutters FAQ From The N.O.A.A.

Welcome to the hurricane shutter webpages, co-sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's OAR and Hurricane Research Division. They are designed to answer some basic questions about hurricane shutters and offer instructions on making plywood versions. This page is organized in a Question & Answer format.

Should I tape my windows when a hurricane threatens?
No, it is a waste of effort, time, and tape. It offers little strength to the glass and NO protection against flying debris. After the storm passes you will spend many a hot summer afternoon trying to scrape the old, baked-on tape off your windows (assuming they weren't shattered). Once a Hurricane Warning has been issued you would be better off spending your time putting up shutters over doors and windows.

Why should I get hurricane shutters ?
People who live in coastal counties from Texas to Maine, and those in other hurricane prone areas, such as most of the Florida peninsula, will find shutters an excellent investment for protecting their lives and property. They protect against wind and wind-borne debris. These shutters protect not only the windows or doors they cover, but also possessions and people inside the building. Once a window or door has been breeched by hurricane winds tremendous pressure is brought to bear on interior walls and upward pressure on the building's roof. This can lead to roof failure which exposes the entire contents of the building to the storm. Shutters are a first line of defense against the hurricane. Much of the damage and building failure in Hurricane Andrew could have been prevented by well installed hurricane shutters over windows and doors.

What are the best kind of shutters ?
The best kind are those that are affordable, are easy to install, and offer the greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important to you depends on individual circumstances. For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing mechanism or accordion type shutters. For those with limited incomes plywood shutters may be the only affordable option. For most people the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, but are expensive and take effort to install. Aluminum panels are lighter and easier to install, but offer less protection and may not meet the building code for your area.Which ever type you decide on it is important to remember that shutters are only as good as the quality of their installation. Ensure that the shutters or their anchors are installed by qualified workmen and that quality materials that meet the building code for your area are used.

How do I choose an installation company I can trust ?
The same way you go about choosing any company that performs a service. Make sure they are licensed, get references, and then check the references. Ask your neighbors and friends about who installed their shutters and if they had any complaints or recommendations. Check out a company with the Better Buisness Bureau, your local licensing authority, or contractor accociation.

To read the full F.A.Q. page and more click (HERE)

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next severe weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Prepare and Stay Aware!

Florida Disaster .org Has a wealth of information for the home or business owner the in the (strike zone) for the 2008 hurricane season.

Please do not under estimate the power of these storms.

Prepare and Stay Aware!

Florida Hazards Watch - Hurricanes

When is Hurricane Season? June 1 - November 30
New! Hurricane Season 2007 - Animation of How the Storms Destroy
What Is A Hurricane? A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
TROPICAL DEPRESSION An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds* of 38 mph or less
TROPICAL STORM An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph
HURRICANE An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher
What Are The Hurricane Hazards?

What Actions Should You Take To Be Prepared?
Have a family disaster plan and disaster supply kit.
Build or identify a Safe-Room in your Home
Purchase and use a NOAA Weather Radio in your home with a tone alert feature. This will allow you to receive warnings issued by your local National Weather Service office.
Inquire if your Community is StormReady.

You can read more (HERE)

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

My Safe Florida Home Home Owner Resources

Matching Grant Aplication

AM I ELIGIBLE?

If your home was inspected after May 1:The 2007 Legislature changed the eligibility requirements for grants under the My Safe Florida Home program. You are eligible for a matching grant up to $5,000 if you live in a single-family detached, site-built home that meets the following criteria:

• has a building permit application for initial construction made before March 1, 2002;

• has an insured value of $300,000 or less;

• has a valid homestead exemption;

• is located in the wind-borne debris region;

• has undergone a hurricane mitigation inspection.The 2007 Legislature also changed how grant funds could be used under the My Safe Florida Home program. Grant funds must be used for:• Protecting openings (windows, gable vents and skylights)

• Protecting exterior doors• Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant garage door• Bracing gable ends in your roof

NOTE: You do not have to do all of the above improvements recommended in your inspection report to qualify for a grant. However, if you choose to protect your windows you must protect all windows without hurricane-rated protection to get reimbursed. If you choose to protect your exterior doors, you must protect all doors, including sliding glass doors, to get reimbursed. Windows:

If you are eligible for a grant and you choose to protect your windows, you must protect all windows and gable vents identified by your wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection.

Exterior Doors:

If you are eligible for a grant and you choose to protect your doors, you must protect all exterior doors, including sliding glass doors, identified by your wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection.

Garage Door:

If you choose to protect your garage door and it is a recommended improvement in your inspection report, you will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement. You must replace your garage door with an impact-rated garage door or you can add additional bracing to an already hurricane-rated garage door.

Skylights:

If you choose to replace your skylights with an impact-rated skylight and it is a recommended improvement in your inspection report, you will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement.

Gable Ends:

If you choose to brace your gable ends and it is a recommended improvement in your inspection report, you will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement. If bracing of gable ends is not identified by the Department’s wind inspection, but is identified as necessary by a participating contractor, the Department will disburse funds for bracing gable ends with physical proof, such as photographs or video, a copy of the building permit when applicable to do this improvement and upon re-inspection by the Department.

If your home was inspected on or before May 1:

If you received a free wind inspection through the My Safe Florida Home program before May 1, 2007, you are eligible for a matching grant of up to $5,000 to make the following improvements:



• Protecting openings (windows, gable vents and skylights)

• Protecting exterior doors• Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant garage door

• Bracing gable ends in your roof

NOTE: You do not have to do all of the above improvements recommended in your inspection report to qualify for a grant. However, if you choose to protect your windows you must protect all windows without hurricane-rated protection to get reimbursed. If you choose to protect your exterior doors, you must protect all doors, including sliding glass doors, to get reimbursed.



Read More Here

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Hurricane Saftey Guide

OK folks we have about 6 weeks before the Atlantic hurricane season starts and the time to prepare IS NOW. This is the most comprehensive hurricane saftey guide I have been able to find.

In it you will find everything you need to prepare yourself and your loved ones for when the next big one strikes.

Thats right it's a matter of WHEN not IF !!

Develop your plan of action now

Hurricanes are a normal phenomenon in Florida. Each year,
particularly between June 1st and November 30th, all residents
and visitors need to be prepared for the effects of a hurricane
or severe weather. Each household, visitor and business
must develop a PLAN OF ACTION for hurricanes and
severe weather.
This guide will lead you through the steps needed to develop a
PLAN OF ACTION. The guide will define unfamiliar hurricane
terms and explain how to protect yourself, your family and your
home, prepare your automobile, and keep your pets safe. It
will explain what to expect after the storm.
KNOW THE HAZARDS
Wind - A hurricane is a tropical storm with constant winds
greater than 74 miles per hour. These winds can extend inland
for hundreds of miles. Hurricanes can spawn tornadoes which
add to its potential destruction.
Rain - Because of the tropical nature of a hurricane they
contain rain. Sometimes the torrential rain will cause floods
and flash flooding.
Storm Surge - The most dangerous element of a hurricane.
This is a dome of ocean water that can be 20 feet high at its
peak and 50 to 100 miles wide. Nine out of 10 hurricane
fatalities are attributable to the storm surge.

Watches and Warnings
Hurricane Watch - The National Weather Service issues the
advisory when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within
24-36 hours.
Hurricane Warning - This National Weather Service advisory
is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours
or less.


Hurricane Categories
Category Winds Storm Surge
1 74-95 mph 4-5 feet
Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored mobile
homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to
poorly-constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated,
minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn
from moorings.
2 96-110 6-8
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees
blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive
damage to poorly constructed signs; some damage to roofing
materials of buildings; and some window and door damage. No
major damage to buildings. Coastal roads and low-lying escape
routes inland cut by rising water two-four hours before arrival of
the hurricane’s center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas
flooded and small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from
moorings.
3 111-130 9-12
Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all
poorly-constructed signs blown down; some damage to roofing
materials of buildings; some window and door damage; and some
structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed.
Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast
destroyed; low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water threefive
hours before the hurricane’s center arrives.
4 131-155 13-18
Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage
to roofing materials, windows and doors; complete failure of roofs
on many small residences; complete destruction of mobile homes.
Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to
flooding and battering by waves and floating debris.

5 155 + 18+
Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs
of buildings; all signs down; very severe and extensive damage
to windows and doors; complete failure of roofs on many
residences and industrial buildings; extensive shattering of glass
in windows and doors; some complete building failures; small
buildings overturned or blown away and complete destruction
of mobile homes. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising
water three-five hours before the hurricane’s center arrives.

To read the complete guide click here
This guide opens in Adobe Reader you can get it here

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Hurricane Season Forecast For 2008

'Well Above-average'

ScienceDaily (Apr. 10, 2008) — The Colorado State University forecast team upgraded its early season forecast today from the Bahamas Weather Conference, saying the U.S. Atlantic basin will likely experience a well above-average hurricane season

"Current oceanic and atmospheric trends indicate that we will likely have an active Atlantic basin hurricane season," said William Gray, who is beginning his 25th year forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State University.
The team's forecast now anticipates 15 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30. Eight of the storms are predicted to become hurricanes, and of those eight, four are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater. Long-term averages are 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year.

"Based on our latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the last-century average of 52 percent," said Phil Klotzbach of the Colorado State hurricane forecast team. "We are calling for a very active hurricane season this year, but not as active as the 2004 and 2005 seasons."

Current conditions in the Atlantic basin are quite favorable for an active hurricane season. The current sea surface temperature pattern in the Atlantic - prevalent in most years since 1995 - is a pattern typically observed before very active seasons. Warm sea surface temperatures are likely to continue being present in the tropical and North Atlantic during 2008 because of a positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Also, the currently observed weak Azores High will likely promote weaker-than-normal trade winds over the next few months enhancing warm SST anomalies in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic.

READ MORE HERE

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com

Preparing for The Hurricane Season

With Hurricane Season starting in just a few short weeks, the time to prepare is NOW !

Don't let your family or yourself down by putting off until tommorrow, what really needs to be done today.Use the following check list to assess the status of your home’s preparedness for a potential hurricane strike. Save your check list and refer to it during hurricane season.

BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON:

Secure your home with protection for the door and window openings. Check your door and window shutters or protection equipment to be sure everything you need is on hand and in good working order. Realistically evaluate whether you will be able to put up the shutters in the event of a hurricane watch. If the shutters haven’t been used in a long time, have them inspected by a professional.

Retrofit your home where necessary. Areas to check include the roof to wall connections, roofing materials, exterior doors, and garage doors.


Prune trees and heavy vegetation around your home.


Document your home and its interior contents with photos or a video to support insurance claims. Store a copy in a safe or safe deposit box, along with copies of important documents.

HURRICANE SUPPLIES

Assemble supplies in water tight containers. Suggested items include:
First aid supplies and medicines for your family and any pets;


Water, at least one gallon daily for each person for 3 to 7 days, plus additional water for any pets;


Non-perishable canned and packaged food, and pet food; manual can opener and bottle opener; paper plates, cups and utensils; paper towels, resealable plastic bags and garbage bags;


Flashlights and radio, extra batteries, basic tools and duct tape, matches and lantern;


Rain gear, extra clothing, sturdy shoes, and blankets;


Chlorine bleach to use as a disinfectant, moist towelettes, personal toiletries, and toilet paper;


A duplicate set of keys and copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, medical records, Social Security card, bank account numbers, and credit cards;


Pet supplies, identification and immunization records, leash, muzzle and carrier.

EVACUATION PLANNING

Talk to your family about what you will do if a hurricane is predicted to hit our area. If it is necessary to evacuate, plan where you will go, and what route you will take.


Include caring for any pets in your planning.


Determine the safest area of your home in which to wait out a storm, in the event that an evacuation is not necessary.


Designate an out-of-area contact person.

Monitor the storm’s progress on local TV, radio, or online at the National Hurricane Center website, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

Read More Here

For information on how we can help you secure your home and family from the next sever weather threat please visit our website Folding Shutters.com