Hurricane
window protection is critically important, living in a State vulnerable
to hurricane window force, causing extreme property damage by wind
speed exceeding 100 miles per hour, and causing trees to fall or
flying metal objects destroying personal property. Also, this type
of window protection increases home security, when people are away
from their home on a vacation. When purchasing hurricane window
protection, the homeowner must consider type of product or design,
which provides the best protection, easy to open and close, the
area needed to protect, the amount of space needed to be installed
and cost. Each type of hurricane window protection provides a maximum
protection from wind speed. Only professional and licensed companies
should install any type of hurricane window protection, and get
the required building permits, from your local county or city government
office. Always, check references of any licensed company and see
previous work accomplished. Very important, professionals take accurate
window or door measurements, since the parts are custom made or
designed according to specifications. Any type of installed hurricane
window protection should include, a warranty for parts and labor.
After installation, expect a representative from the city or county,
who will inspect and verify correct installation, based upon State
or County regulations. Additionally, check, if your community association
has any restrictions, regarding installation of hurricane window
protection. Your home homeowner's insurance will likely be reduced,
by having hurricane window protection.
Accordion
Shutters designed to protect windows, sliding glass doors or enclose
total balconies. The shutters are easy to open and close, for any
age or elderly. The shutters are interconnected and have exterior
aluminum panels (Should be cleaned and lubricated yearly.) that
move horizontally, between an upper and lower track. The upper track
or header, which holds a wheel and carriage assemblies, that attach
to the top of every other panel. This allows ease movement, when
opening and closing the shutter. The lower track or "still"
guides and secures the bottom of each panel. The upper and lower
tracks are permanently installed against frame of a window. Shutters
are manually operated, by moving each of the two panels, against
a window frame, until they interlock together and then locked by
a key. Additional locking pins, further enhance the stability or
security of the Accordion Shutter, and are easy to handle. This
type of shutter can work around the radius corner of a building
or home, which have corner windows. When not in use, are folding
away (side corner of the window) for an unobstructed view. Accordion
Shutters are available white, beige, bronze or ivory, depending
on the building code requirements or regulations in various communities.
Additional convenience, using Accordion Shutters permits light and
air to pass through from the outside, and allowing the homeowner
to see outside, while preventing anyone, from seeing anything inside.
Comparably, price for Accordion Shutters are less than roll down
shutters. In 2005, one square foot of Accordion shutters retailed
in Miami and Dade County Florida $16 - $18, an increase of twenty-five
percent from 2002. Also, these shutters are known to exceed South
Florida building code regulations.
Bahama
Shutters (The shutters considered Caribbean décor.) are attached
to the outside of a window frame, and propped open when not in use.
The shutters are made of aluminum alloy, and non-corrosive stainless
steel hardware or hinge (Also, available in clear impact-resistant
Lexan Polycarbonate.). The shutters provide shade from the sun (adjustable
for maximum or minimum protection) when lowered, and protection
against hurricane window force, heavy rains and burglary. Also,
the shutters are available in Tongue and Grove design. These are
commonly used for commercial and residential applications, including
mobile home, office, condominium, and storefront. Similar are Colonial
Shutters, which provide a more traditional appearance. Bahama Shutters
provide privacy for pool, patio enclosure, and protecting drapery
or upholstery, from fading due to sunlight. These shutters are easily
accessible to open or close. The standard colors available are white,
bronze, buffed or additional decorative colors. The cost of each
Bahama shutter is determined by height, width and cost per square
foot. In Dade County Florida, Bahama Shutters must provide protection
up to 150 miles per hour.
Roll
Down Shutters are secured in an upper housing or "box"
and when hand cranked or automatically operated, by the use of an
electric motor, will release the slats, which will roll down a track
until reaching the ground. The system should have a battery back
up, if operated by electricity. When the slats are completely lowered,
they provide convince of sufficient light, and air to pass through.
These shutters are very effective enclosing porches, balconies,
and providing additional home security. Also, allow the homeowner
to see out, while preventing others from seeing inside. The slats
are made of aluminum, and double wall thickness, which is considered
the strongest slats available. The shutters are available, in a
variety of colors, which match the outside decor of homes and condominiums,
custom designed for many different window styles, and are very expensive.
Additional removable Storm Bars should be included, which reinforces
the roll down shutters strength.
Storm
panels are made of steel or aluminum, and most difficult for a homeowner
or business owner to install, but provide very strong protection,
against wind damage or prevent flying debris from causing interior
damage. Steel panels are thinner, compared to aluminum and heavy
to carry. Aluminum panels are thicker and lighter to carry, but
will cost more. In 2005, the cost for a square foot of aluminum
panel retailed in Miami and Dade County Florida: $7.00 - $8.00 compared
to $5.50 prior two years. Recommend, when installing the panels:
two or more people work together, ladder is likely to be required,
a battery operated drill for tightening and loosening bolts, and
drill bit kit (The battery operated drill should be full recharged
the night before installing or removing the panels). Tracks along
the side of the windows or doors are preinstalled, and ready to
attach these storm panels, whenever an approaching hurricane or
storm. The aluminum panels are custom designed according to length
and location of installation of window or door. Each panel overlaps
for increase strength, providing additional protection and reinforced
by bolts and fasteners (washed wingnuts). The panels are usually
stacked and stored against an inside wall of a garage, closet or
storage area, and each should be numbered, according to the location
of installation. Recommend wearing protective gloves, when lifting
or carrying any of the panels, since the edges are very sharp. Once
all the panels are installed, no light can enter the home or residence.
The aluminum panels provide the maximum wind protection, when installed
according to manufactures guideline, and expensive to purchase.
Impact
resistant glass is the newest type of window protection, which is
available either laminated glass or shatter-resistant films. The
laminated glass consists of two or more panes of any type of clear
glass, which is bonded together with a plastic interlayer. The bond
glass protects against breakage during tornadoes, hurricanes, and
protects from burglars, trying to brake into a residence. Shatter-resistant
films or adhesive, are placed over the interior side of an existing
window glass. When a resistant glass window is struck by flying
object, the adhesive will hold any broken pieces together. Also,
the resistant glass will provide protection, against the sun's damaging
Ultraviolet rays, which can damage draperies, rugs and furniture.
License professionals should install impact resistant glass windows.
Critically important during installation, the frame of the window
must be strong enough to keep the glass secure. Often, retrofit
resistant glass windows require replacing the window frame. Many
new homes build within hurricane prone areas have preinstalled resistant
glass, against windows and sliding glass doors. Several impact-resistant
windows have passed South Florida "large missile impact"
test, against 80 miles per hour wind.
WWW.METSOCOL.COM
bdelvecchio@hotmail.com
We provide Metal Solutions to the construction industry with high quality standards using the best materials in the market, guaranteeing a top quality product. Our strategic location allows us to deliver our products in a timely manner using the best cost effective logistical services available.
Our company guarantees that all raw materials used to manufacture our products comply with international standards and norms. We closely supervise the production process in order to achieve the precise formation of our products.
At Metal Solutions S.A. we strive to deliver customer satisfaction by offering a great product at a competitive price.
At Metal Solutions we manufacture galvanized storm panels in a variety of gauges and material resistance, in order to satisfy each client’s needs. We have commercial and structural galvanized steel, which conform to ASTM A653M, ASTM A924M as well as ISO 9001 / 2000.
The chemical composition of the metal base is:
Carbon ( C ) Manganese ( Mn ) Phosphorus ( P ) Sulfur ( S )
15% 60% 3% 3.5%
Since the galvanized steel we use adheres to ASTM norms, it has to resist a 180 degrees bend in any direction without loosing any of its components. This guarantees our clients that all material used at METSO are of optimum quality making our panels a long lasting investment.
MATERIALS THICKNESS # OF PANELS PER 20 ' CONT.
Commercial Galv. Steel 20 gauge 2577
Commercial Galv. Steel 22 gauge 3134
Commercial Galv. Steel 24 gauge 3655
Structural 20 gauge Contact Us
Structural 24 gauge Contact Us
All our panels are sold in a standard 1 ft. Width and any length required. Number of panels may vary depending on thickness.
ACHIEVING THE BEST QUALITY AT THE LOWEST PRICE IS OUR MAIN GOAL.
www.metsocol.com
info@metsocol.com
238 S. DIXIE HWY EAST
POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA 33060
954-781-2690 FAX 954-781-2773
HOME OF THE:CURVE TRACK
November 13, 2007
Greetings:
We would like to introduce you to the most innovative line of hurricane shutter Curved Tracks currently on the market. Besides the distributor, installer and customer satisfaction that we receive with our product, we would like to briefly describe to you why we are number 1.
Ø Precision cut material
Ø Fixture welded
Ø Heat Treatment
Ø Powder coated finish
We produce a total spectrum of Curved Tracks using material from the largest accordion hurricane shutter manufacturers in the South Florida region such as:
o Town and Country Industries TM
o Hurst Awning Company TM
o Eastern Metal Supply TM
o General Impact Glass and Windows TM
o All Broward Hurricane TM
o RollingShield TM
We can also make Curve Tracks with any other manufacturers material. Making Curved Tracks for Bay/Bow windows is also a specialty of ours. We would like to invite you to visit our website, so you can see the variety of unique products and colors.
http://www.curvetrack.com
Sincerely,
Joe Pena ( jpena@curvetrack.com )
Operations Manager