Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can your prices beat everyone else? Even Lowe's and Home Depot?
That's a great question! Due to the sheer amount of orders we fulfill and our close knit relationship with our manufacturers, we can afford to pass on our savings directly to you the customer!
2. What is the difference between the aluminum panels and the galvanized panels?
Both are hurricane-rated, code-approved storm panels. Aluminum panels are much lighter and will not rust: our .050 aluminum panels weigh about 1 to 1.5 pounds per foot, compared with 2.5 to 3 pounds per foot for galvanized steel. Galvanized panels also have very sharp edges and are harder to handle.
Approvals differ from panel to panel, so check the approvals listed on each product page. For example, our 2" 24-gauge galvanized panel is approved for Non-HVHZ areas only, so it can't be used in Miami-Dade or Broward County.
3. Do I have to use headers and/or studded angle with the shutters?
No. Storm panels can be "direct mounted": fastened straight to the wall with machine set screw anchors and stainless steel combo/truss head screws, with no header or track. Some customers don't like the look of headers and tracks on their house, so they direct mount. Direct-mounted panels do take longer to put up than panels installed with tracks.
4. Where are you located? Can I pick up my order at your warehouse?
Our warehouse is at 4170 Westroads Drive, Suite #9-E, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.
Yes, you can pick up your order and save the delivery fee. Place your order on our website and choose Free Pickup at checkout. We'll email you when your order is ready to collect. Please wait for that email before you come by, because we're often out on deliveries.
5. Do you have everything in stock in your warehouse?
No. Every shutter panel and header you order is cut to size specifically for you. Some hurricane hardware is in stock, and anything that isn't usually arrives within 1 to 2 days. The fastest way to get it is to order online with Free Pickup; we'll email you as soon as it's ready.
6. How far are the holes in the shutter from the edge of the shutter?
The holes are keyhole shaped. They start about 3/8" from the edge of the shutter and extend to about 1-5/8" from the edge. See the photos below.
7. What is HVHZ and Non-HVHZ?
HVHZ stands for High Velocity Hurricane Zone, which is Miami-Dade and Broward County, Florida only. Non-HVHZ is every other location.
8. I'm shipping my order out of the country. Do I have to pay Florida sales tax?
If you enter a shipping address in Florida, our website will calculate and charge for Florida sales tax, even if you enter a freight forwarder's address.
To avoid this, enter your shipping address as the final destination address (Virgin Islands for example) and in the comments section indicate the freight forwarder you want us to deliver to. On the shipping portion of the checkout page, the website will then indicate the shipping cost to ship to the freight forwarder.
9. I still have a question that isn't answered here. What can I do?
No worries! Contact us and we'll help. Looking for installation help? See How to Install Storm Panels.