| Functional exterior shutters can be a great | | | | What type of hardware will be used in the |
| investment in your home. For starters, they add curb | | | | installation? |
| appeal and boost your home's value. Furthermore, | | | | Functional shutters require hardware, including hinges, |
| the fact that they are functional provides critical | | | | pintels, tie backs, and hook latches and or center |
| storm protection for your home, which can be | | | | slide latches. The quality of hardware you choose is |
| especially important if you live in an area that is prone | | | | closely related to how much you want to spend. |
| to hurricanes. When purchasing and installing functional | | | | Steel hardware is by far the most common choice. |
| exterior shutters, there are a lot of important | | | | There are two types of steel hardware to choose |
| considerations that must be taken into account. The | | | | from: carbon steel and stainless steel. Carbon steel is |
| following article contains a checklist of questions that | | | | economical; however, it will rust, particularly in salty, |
| homeowners should ask themselves before investing | | | | coastal areas. Stainless steel hardware will not rust |
| in functional exterior shutters. | | | | and is a much better choice, although it is also much |
| Is hurricane protection a consideration? | | | | more expensive. Not sure if what you're looking at is |
| If you answered no to this question, then you can | | | | carbon or stainless? Check it with a magnet. Carbon |
| skip right on to the next question. If you answered | | | | steel is ferrous, and therefore magnetic, whereas |
| yes, then you'll need to do some homework before | | | | stainless steel is not. If you do choose carbon steel |
| purchasing shutters. First, contact your local building | | | | hardware, be sure is it covered with a durable |
| department to inquire about building codes and/or | | | | powder coat painted finish, as this will delay the |
| product approvals that are applicable to your area. A | | | | rusting process. |
| local building department may also be able to guide | | | | Aluminum shutter hardware is also available, though it |
| you toward a good installer, too. Look for shutters | | | | is not as common. If hurricane protection is a |
| that have received Miami-Dade County Product | | | | consideration, then aluminum hardware is probably not |
| Approval. This approval is considered to be the | | | | the best choice. |
| highest standard in the industry for shutters and | | | | Remember, functional shutters are a homeowner's |
| other hurricane protection products. | | | | first line of defense against hurricane damage. When |
| What type of functional shutters are you installing | | | | a window is broken in a hurricane, the high speed |
| (material and style)? | | | | winds enter the home and put enormous pressure on |
| There are many different types of functional exterior | | | | the interior walls and roof. In most cases, when a |
| shutters on the market today. The most common | | | | home collapses or a roof is torn off, it's usually |
| material for functional shutters is wood. Types of | | | | because a window was blown out first. Functional |
| wood can vary, though cedar is a common choice | | | | exterior shutters (whether or not they have been |
| because it weathers quite well. There are many | | | | approved by Florida Building Code or Miami-Dade |
| different styles of shutters on the market. What you | | | | County Building Code) are an excellent investment in |
| choose depends on the size and style of your | | | | protecting your home and your life. |
| windows and architectural elements of your home. | | | | Many insurance companies now offer reduced |
| Exterior shutters play a big role in your home's | | | | premiums and discounts on deductibles for homes |
| appearance and curb appeal. Be sure you take time | | | | with functional exterior shutters. Be sure to check |
| to choose something that suits your tastes and | | | | with your insurance company before purchasing and |
| compliments your home's architecture. | | | | installing shutters to find out if you qualify. |