Every hurricane shutter system is only as strong as the hardware holding it to the building. This category collects the anchors, bolts, wingnuts, washers, and installation tools for mounting storm panels and shutters — the same hardware used with our Bertha storm panels and tracks and headers.
The anchor depends on what you are fastening into. Concrete and masonry take a different drill size, fastener, and hole depth than wood framing.
| Construction | Drill size | Fastener | Hole depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 3/16" | MAXI-SET Tapcon | 1-3/4" |
| Concrete | 3/16" | Male or Female Panelmate | 1-3/4" |
| Concrete | 3/16" | Lead anchor (machine set screw anchor) | 1" |
| Wood | 1/8" | Lag screw | 1" |
| Wood | 1/8" | Male Panelmate | 1" |
| Wood | 1/8" | Female Panelmate | 1" |
When drilling into concrete, blow all cement dust out of the hole before setting the anchor. Not sure what your wall is made of, or working with stucco over block? Call us before you order.
Anchor holes in headers and studded angles go no more than 12" on center - with some areas requiring every 6" - with the end holes within 3" of each end of the track. Anchor centers below an opening should sit a minimum of 3-1/2" below the edge of the opening. Consult your local municipality for absolute determination.
Screw anchors
Female Panelmate screw anchors, Male Panelmate Pro anchors, machine set screw anchors (also called lead anchors), MAXI-SET Tapcon screw anchors, and concrete insert anchors for permanently anchoring shutter hardware into concrete or wood framing. Whether you call them hurricane anchors, storm shutter anchors, or panel mates, these are the fasteners that hold your panels to the building.
1/4-20 combination sidewalk bolts, "F" track bolts in 18-8 stainless steel, truss combo machine screws, hex lag bolts, and nylon push screws for Female Panelmates and lead anchors. "F" track bolts are required with any of our studless "F" track products.
1/4-20 washered wingnuts — often just called hurricane nuts — to secure your panels, plus bonded washers, aluminum keyhole washers for hurricane panels, and rubber caps to cover screw anchors, studs, and track bolts when the shutters are down.
Putting up storm panels on a two-story house with 12 to 24 openings can take most of a day. Almost all of that time is spent turning wingnuts by hand.
A wingnut driver chucks into a standard drill and turns them in seconds instead. It is the cheapest thing in this category and the single biggest difference between an afternoon and a full weekend.
Also here: the Female Panelmate hex driver and combo drill bit, a 3/16" hex nut driver for Male Panelmate Pro anchors, the combo drill bit for 1/4-20 anchor set screws, a manual setting tool for machine set screw anchors, and standard drill bits.
Paint pens for touching up Bertha aluminum tracks and headers after cutting to length.
Bertha Storm Panel Installation and Specification Guide (PDF) — manufacturer reference including full fastener and drill charts for wood and concrete construction, anchor spacing, the complete tool list, and panel installation sequence.
This document is a manufacturer reference only. Installation requirements vary by jurisdiction. All shutters, headers, tracks, and hardware must be installed in accordance with your local building code and the applicable Product Approval. Verify all requirements with your local building department before installing.
