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Benefits of Bahama Shutters

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Living in Florida has many benefits, including the beautiful temperatures, the tourist attractions and the glorious beaches. Unfortunately, if you live in Florida, you must also deal with hurricanes. There are several ways you can protect your property and family from the high winds and devastating rain, but you might not be sure which option is best for you.

For many homeowners, Bahama shutters provide the ideal balance between aesthetic appeal and protection. Here are a few of the many benefits of having Bahama shutters installed on your home.

Unbeatable Protection

There are several advantages to Bahama shutters. However, their greatest strength is their ability to protect your home and family during a hurricane. The shutters are attached to your home by hinges. When the winds pick up and the rain starts beating against your windows, all you need to do is pull the shutters down.

Because the shutters are attached to your home rather than to the window itself, they offer unbeatable protection against the elements.

Customizable Appearance

Another benefit to Bahama shutters is their appearance. Other types of hurricane shutters will provide protection against the elements. However, if you want a product that blends in with the overall look of your home's exterior, Bahama shutters are the best option.

The shutters are available in a variety of colors and styles. Your product can be created to fit with the architectural style and color of your home. Typically, Bahama shutters are constructed from wood, wood composite or aluminum. Each of these types of material also has its own unique advantages.

For example, aluminum shutters are very durable and will provide unparalleled protection against the elements. They are also easy to maintain and require only an occasional cleaning with your garden hose. Wood and wood composite Bahama shutters are an elegant, highly customizable option.

An unexpected benefit of Bahama shutters is the potential to save big money on your monthly cooling costs. The Florida sun can be brutal, and when it hits your home, your central air conditioner must work overtime to keep your house cool. Bahama shutters block sunlight from entering your home, which can help keep the temperatures down.

Increased Privacy

If privacy in your home is an issue, Bahama shutters are a great choice. The shutters can be left completely open, or you can partially shut them to increase the privacy in your home. The way the shutters are designed allows you to see what's going on outside of your home. However, neighbors and onlookers won't be able to see what is happening inside your house.

Designing and Installing Your Bahama Shutters

If you decide that Bahama shutters are the best option for you, you next need to start creating the ideal design for your home. Don't worry if your windows aren't standard size; Bahama shutters can be created to fit any size and shape of window.

The next thing to consider is the material and color. Once again, if you want shutters that are easy to care for and very durable, aluminum is a great option. However, if you want something that is more customizable and provides a classic look, consider wood or wood composite shutters.

Finally, never attempt to install the Bahama shutters on your own. A professional will have the tools, knowledge and experience necessary to expertly install your Bahama shutters within a matter of hours. This will help ensure that your shutters are ready for the next big storm.

From their dependability and durability to their classic look, for many homeowners, Bahama shutters are a great way to help protect their property from hurricanes and other storms. If you have any further questions, contact the professionals at Custom Storm Shutters Direct.

How to Have Sparkling Clean Storm Shutters

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

If you live in Florida, or any other area that is constantly affected by hurricanes, then it is crucial that you take precautionary measures to protect your home. One of the most popular and effective ways to protect your home from hurricanes is by installing hurricane shutters because they are affordable, strong and versatile. Here are three things you should know about hurricane shutters.

1. Do Not Simply Opt for Plywood for Hurricane Protection

There are many instances when homeowners simply put up plywood over their windows to protect their homes during a hurricane. It is important that you understand that plywood should never be used as a substitute for storm shutters.

Plywood may cover up your windows in the same way that storm shutters do. However, this is the only similarity that the two have. Storm shutters meet current state and county codes, not to mention the fact that they are designed to withstand winds brought on by hurricanes. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about plywood.

Of course, when a hurricane is blowing in and you do not have hurricane shutters, then you can use plywood as a last-minute solution to protect your windows and home. However, plywood should never be utilized as a permanent hurricane-protection solution for your home.

2. Do Not Leave Your Hurricane Shutters Up Year-Round

It isn't uncommon for homeowners to put up their hurricane shutters early in the year, and then end up leaving them up for the remainder of the year. Many say it is to avoid the hassles of uninstalling them and having to reinstall them next year, while others say it is to help deter criminals.

Whatever the case may be, it is dangerous to keep your hurricane shutters up when it is not active hurricane season. For instance, if a fire were to start inside of your home and block the doors, there would be no way for you to get out of your home with the hurricane shutters installed. In addition, the fire department wouldn't have a way to get inside the house — at least not without breaking something.

If you are keeping the shutters up in order to deter burglars, it may simply lure them more. The reason for this is because it could cause criminals to believe that the house is empty.

With that all being said, it may be tempting to simply leave the shutters installed year-round, but it is a good idea to only leave them up during hurricane season or when there is a serious hurricane threat.

3. Do Not Forget to Clean and Maintain Your Hurricane Shutters

Just like most things, hurricane shutters need to be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. After all, they are your first line of defense when a hurricane comes barreling through your city. Without proper maintenance, they will be unable to provide you with the necessary protection.

When hurricane shutters fail to undergo proper maintenance, various problems can arise. These problems include seizing wheels, locks that will not engage and dirt or debris in the tracks that result in the prevention of closure.

The best thing that you can do is to have your hurricane shutters undergo annual inspections. A yearly inspection will uncover any potential problems and repairs that are needed. Repairs should be made as soon as possible. This includes any damage that occurs throughout hurricane season, including broken motors and shutter cracks.

< Don't forget to keep your shutters clean, as this can solve a lot of dirt and debris issues that you may have. All it takes is a mild soap and warm water to effectively clean your hurricane shutters.

If you live in an area where hurricanes are prevalent, you should consider buying hurricane shutters. Custom Storm Shutters Direct offers a variety of hurricane shutters suitable for different home and business styles. Contact us today to talk about the benefits of hurricane shutters, the options that are available to you, shutter maintenance and hurricane shutter installation.

Choosing the Best Shutter Style for Your Home

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Shutters are a must-have in Florida. They provide peace of mind and protection for your home, which offers enhanced curb appeal and value to your property overall. Here are a few things to think about when choosing the best shutter style for your Florida home .

Consider Your Home's Design

One of the most important things to do before buying new shutters for your home is to consider its design both inside and out. How is your home shaped? Where are the windows located? If your home features several windows on each wall, shutters with a basic shape and design would be appropriate as they wouldn't make the house look too busy. Consider installing simple roll-up shutters if this describes your home.

If a wall in your home has only one or two windows in it, you can get away with using more elaborately designed shutters because they won't overshadow the rest of your home's overall look. In this case, Colonial or Bahama shutters would be a great choice. Keep in mind that type of shutters you decide to purchase will likely play a role in the amount of lighting your windows let into your home.

Think about what type of furniture is near the windows in your home and what those areas are used for. If a desk is against the wall, in front of a window and is used by the kids for homework, you'll want shutters that allow in as much light as possible. Your service technician can help you determine which shutters will offer you the most light, and which will dim your window lighting the most.

Determine Shutter Sizes

Once you've determined which type of shutters to install, it's time to figure out what sizes you'll need for each window you'll install them on throughout your home. The new shutters should fit snugly over your windows when closed.

Dual shutters should each be exactly half the size of your window panes for proper installation. If any of your windows are near the corners of your home, it's important to make sure that the shutters you install won't hang over the corners while in an open position.

Take the time to measure each of your windows from corner to corner and edge to edge, so you can give the dimensions to your shutters service provider. From there, they'll introduce you to shutter options that will fit your home perfectly.

If you're unsure about exactly how you should measure your windows or are uncomfortable with taking an accurate reading, ask your service provider to do it for you. They should be able to take measurements of your windows before you're ready to buy your shutters, so you have time to narrow your options down and make a final decision on this investment.

Decide on Shutter Materials

Shutters are made from a variety of materials, and not all of them will be the best fit for your home and community climate. Wooden shutters are very popular, but they take a beating from rain and high winds. They require quite a lot of maintenance in the form of sanding, painting and replacing rotted shutters as time goes on.

If you have time to maintain wooden shutters, they're an effective and visually appealing option. If you don't have time for much maintenance, consider investing in shutters made of fiberglass or metal. These materials hold up well in Florida weather as they won't succumb to water damage, and they'll stay in place when high winds develop.

For more information about choosing the right shutters to meet your needs and expectations, feel free to contact Custom Storm Shutters Direct and schedule a consultation. We're happy to share our expertise with you.

Why Choose Us?

Tue, 30 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT

With so many other companies throughout Florida and the coastal South, why should you spend your money with us? We’re glad you asked since this gives us a chance to introduce ourselves to you .

Custom Storm Shutters Direct is a company based on delivering high-quality hurricane protection equipment and quality installation services, backed by a customer satisfaction guarantee. We are licensed, bonded and insured for your protection.

Custom Storm Shutters Direct is well respected in our industry and we maintain a favorable rating with Dunn and Bradstreet. We are proud members of ASSA and the International Hurricane Protection Association, a Simu Performance partner, and are a Miami-Dade County approved business.

We manufacturer, install, maintain hurricane shutters and blinds, as well as repair all brands on the market. We provide free estimates and consultations and we will custom design systems to meet your specific needs. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, you can be assured you are in great hands with our company.

Our job is to protect you home, your business, and your livelihood. We offer the area’s only 24-hour service department to keep your property safe and secure. We look forward to talking to you concerning your hurricane protection needs.

Three Reasons to Choose Bahama Shutters for Your Home

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Bahama shutters are among the most popular shutter designs available on the market. They are fixed to the outside of buildings with a hinge at the top and generally made from wood or metal. Here are three reasons to consider Bahama shutters for your home.

Protection

Bahama shutters are durable and when closed, offer your home superior protection from high winds and heavy rain. Since they are mounted outside of the house, they shut out storms effectively. For this reason, they are popular in locations that occasionally endure hurricanes. They also provide extra security from theft and are excellent at keeping unwanted light out of houses.

Aesthetics

If you want to add a tropical charm to the exterior of your house, Bahama shutters could be a good choice for you. They are available in virtually any color and can give any building an appealing tropical island look.

Convenience

Bahama shutters are easy to install and once they are mounted to the outside of a house, are simple to operate. Shade, ventilation and privacy are easily controlled with them. Additionally, they can become storm ready through a single person in just a few minutes.

Bahama shutters are protective, aesthetically pleasing and convenient. To learn more about why you should choose Bahama shutters for your home, call Custom Storm Shutters Direct at 877-670-3737 .

What You Need to Know About Hurricane Shutters

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Most people who live in areas with frequent hurricanes have storm shutters on their homes. These shutters protect your home from flying debris and reduce the risk that a hurricane will rip the roof off your home. Storm shutters can also be a beautiful addition to a home even when they aren’t acting as protection from a storm.

However, for shutters to do their job, you need to clean them. Each type of shutter, whether it is made of plastic, metal or plywood, needs to be cleaned in a specific way.

Cleaning Plywood Shutters

You will need a dry duster, microfiber cloth, furniture polish and a toothbrush to clean your plywood shutters. Use a polish that is based on a vegetable oil because this will not leave behind a residue like other polishes do on plywood.

When you are cleaning your shutters, you will do the following:

1. Run the dry duster up and down the shutters. The dry duster will remove most of the debris to make the rest of the cleaning easier.
2. Wipe the shutters down with a microfiber cloth.
3. Spray the shutters with furniture polish and rub the shutters until they shine from the polish.
4. Scrub with a toothbrush and polish to remove dirt in hard-to-reach places.
If you do not have a lot of free time to clean your shutters with the process described above, you can run dryer sheets up and down the shutters.

Be sure that you do not use soap and water on these types of shutters. Soap and water will cause the shutters to warp.

Cleaning Metal and Plastic Shutters

Assemble a brush, hose, mop and detergent when you prepare to clean your metal or plastic shutters. You will achieve the best results if you use a detergent specifically designed for cleaning metal or plastic.

Your shutters can be cleaned effectively using the following steps:

1. Brush all of the debris off of the windows shutters with a long-handled brush.

2. Use the hose to rinse the shutters. The hose will wash off any debris that has not been removed by the brush.

3. Scrub the surface of the shutters with a mop.

4. Add detergent to a bucket of water.

5. Use the mop to apply the detergent to the shutters. Do not allow the detergent to dry on the shutters.

6. Rinse the detergent off the shutters.

7. If you would like to avoid streaks on your shutters, be sure to scrub them with a microfiber mop.

8. Use a sponge to scrub the inside of the shutters, as you cannot use a hose to reach this section.

After you finish cleaning your shutters, allow them to air dry.

Cleaning Shutters on Higher Floors

When the home has two floors, you will not be able to use a mop to clean the shutters on the upper story. Fortunately, your hose can be fitted with a detergent attachment that will allow you to spray these shutters with all-purpose detergent.

When you spray the shutters, begin by testing the detergent on a small corner of your shutters to make sure that the detergent removes the dirt and that the formula will not cause any discoloration. Before applying the detergent to the shutters, make sure to rinse them down with water. Allow the detergent to sit for a few seconds before rinsing it off.

When you have your shutters installed for the first time, simply ask us about the most effective technique for cleaning your shutters. We can recommend the method that will clean your shutters the most effectively. The shutters at Custom Storm Shutters Direct are highly durable, but they will last longer if they are properly maintained.