Hurricane Shutter Installation in Orlando

Yes. We connect Orlando homeowners with vetted, licensed local pros for hurricane shutter installation, with a free assessment and no obligation.

For Orlando and the surrounding Orange County area, our network pros prioritize storm work and typically respond same-day or next-day for urgent needs.

Yes. Florida Statute and the Florida Building Code require a building permit for the installation of hurricane protection systems on any opening in a permanent structure. The permit process confirms that the selected product carries a valid Florida Product Approval number and that the fasteners are engineered for your specific substrate and local design wind speed. Unpermitted shutters will not count toward a wind mitigation inspection credit and can create complications at resale.

Accordion shutters are permanently mounted beside the opening on a track system and fold out in seconds without tools - the preferred choice for full-time residents. Roll-down shutters retract into a compact headbox above the opening and are available in manual crank or motorized versions; they are ideal for large or high openings and for properties that need remote storm deployment. Panel systems - aluminum, steel, or polycarbonate - are removed and stored when not in use; they cost less upfront but require physical labor to install before each storm and a dry storage area year-round.

A licensed wind mitigation inspector can document your opening protection level after installation. If every opening in the home - including garage doors and skylights - is protected to the current Florida Building Code standard, your insurer must apply a wind-mitigation discount under Florida law. The size of the discount varies by insurer and policy structure. Partial protection (some openings covered, others not) typically yields a smaller discount than full protection. Consult your agent for specifics on your policy.

Aluminum accordion and roll-down systems typically last 20-30 years when rinsed with fresh water after salt-air exposure and lubricated annually. The greatest wear points are tracks, rollers, and lock mechanisms. Panel systems can last equally long if stored dry and off the ground. UV-exposed polycarbonate panels can yellow and lose impact resistance in 10-15 years in South Florida's intense sun. Any shutter that no longer achieves a tight lock or has visible track deformation should be evaluated before the next storm season.

Yes, but the installation cost increases due to scaffolding or lift equipment rental. Track anchoring on upper stories must account for the higher wind-load requirements at elevation. Some municipalities require engineered drawings for installations above the first floor. Budget an additional $150-$400 per opening for upper-story access and, for roll-down units, factor in the cost of running a dedicated electrical circuit to upper-floor motor units.

The Florida Product Approval (FPA) system, administered through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, certifies that a specific product - tested to ASTM or Miami-Dade TAS standards - can withstand defined wind pressures and impact levels. Every shutter sold and installed in Florida must have a valid FPA number for your local design wind speed and missile impact category. Installers are required to reference this number on permit drawings. Products without a valid FPA cannot be permitted and will not satisfy insurance or code requirements.

Rinse tracks and panels with fresh water every two to three months to remove salt accumulation, which accelerates corrosion of aluminum components. Apply a dry silicone lubricant (not petroleum-based, which attracts dirt) to tracks and pivot points twice a year. Fully deploy and retract the shutters at least once before hurricane season to identify any panels that bind, locks that stick, or bottom guides that have shifted. Address minor adjustments immediately - a shutter that binds during a rapid deployment before a storm is a serious operational problem.

Damaged panels or curtains should be assessed by a licensed contractor as soon as conditions are safe. A bent accordion panel may still deploy but may no longer seat tightly enough to meet wind-load performance. Roll-down curtains with buckled slats can jam in their guides. Document all damage with photographs before any repair or replacement work begins, as the condition of the system at the time of the storm may be relevant to a property insurance claim for the shutter system itself. Do not attempt to operate a jammed motorized roll-down unit after a storm - the motor can be burned out if the curtain is obstructed.

For openings wider than 9-10 feet, most installers recommend motorized operation because manual cranking of a wide curtain is slow and physically demanding under storm urgency. For vacation homeowners who manage the property remotely, motorized roll-downs connected to a smart controller allow full storm deployment without being on-site. The cost premium for a motor, dedicated circuit, and smart-home integration typically adds $600-$1,200 per opening over a manual roll-down. Battery backup is an important add-on given the frequency of pre-storm power outages in Florida.

Yes. One of the most important - and frequently misunderstood - functions of hurricane shutters is preventing internal pressure buildup. When wind-driven debris breaches an opening in the windward wall of a home, interior air pressure surges and can exceed the uplift load capacity of the roof structure, causing catastrophic failure even in a house that otherwise seemed structurally sound. Shutters prevent that breach. This is why Florida Building Code requires ALL openings to be protected - a single unprotected window on the windward wall can compromise the entire structural envelope.