Getting Ready for the Storm: Protecting your home with shutters

With hurricane season upon us, it is essential that we protect our homes and make the necessary plans for our families. Direct Source, an exterior home improvement company located in Kenner, offers excellent solutions for those concerned about taking steps to secure their residences. “We specialize in hurricane protection,” says owner Robert Laurent. He has several recommendations for people interested in upgrading their homes to secure them from the unpredictable wrath of hurricanes steering their way to Louisiana.

“It is wise to use certain hurricane products to protect your home,” Laurent says. “You can use either Aluminum or clear Lexan storm panels to place over windows and doors. That is one option, and it is the most economical one,” he explains.

“There are also Colonial and Bahama shutters that are hurricane resistant; there are roll down shutters, which is an excellent way to go, and there are hurricane impact windows that protect the window [house?]itself,” he says. “If, for instance, a window breaks from a hurricane it could actually suck the roof off of your house,” he warns. “Hurricane impact windows are also used for security purposes as well. They are probably the sturdiest. I would recommend buying one of these products for your home for the hurricane season,” he advises.

This is an especially good time to purchase storm protection items, Laurent points out, because of the $7,500 LRA grant that people can apply for as part of the Road Home project. “You can only use this grant for acquiring hurricane products for your home,” he comments.

The roll down shutter systems that are offered by Direct Source provide complete hurricane protection. These shutters are mounted on the outside. They are custom designed shutter systems that consist of interlocking horizontal, extruded aluminum, and double walled slats. The shutters can be easily controlled from the interior or exterior of the structure, using a hand crank or an electric motor and may be rolled to any desired position. Roll down shutter systems have been approved by all local building codes, and are versatile and adaptable. The storm panels meet South Florida building code impact and cyclic pressure tests, and they are the only products engineered for Gulf Coast residential and commercial building practices.

All storm panels can be installed with header and sill or a direct mount, which eliminates the need for upper and lower tracks. Storm panels require minimum storage space and are easier to handle than plywood. They will not shatter, rust or corrode, and offer superior strength with a warranty. Direct Source also offers Accordion shutters, which is another alternative for hurricane protection. The Accordion shutter system can be stored on either or both ends of an opening and can be drawn closed and locked, only to be opened by a key.

The systems are designed for installation on sliding glass doors, windows, balconies, glass rooms, or decks. The Accordion shutter has a bent radius track which allows the shutter to precisely fit even odd-shaped balconies. The Accordion shutters have been tested to withstand 140 mph winds and are approved by the Dade County building code.

Direct Source, located at 2321 Fayette Street in Kenner (504-456-5858 or 800-297-1124) also offers patio and carport covers, screen and glass enclosures, insulated roofing, vinyl siding, vinyl overhangs, decks, and seamless gutters. It is the best way to go when considering home improvements during this perilous hurricane season, or any time of the year. ✦