If you live in Charleston or the surrounding areas, you know that every minute matters during hurricane or storm preparation. Hurricane-force winds can be pretty destructive to your home, and you need to make sure that it has maximum storm protection. We at Muhler are a leading company in this industry, providing a wide range of storm protection products, including hurricane windows, hurricane shutters, panels, and more.

Range of Storm Protection Products

Here we take a detailed look at the different types of features that can help to protect your family and during storms and hurricanes:

• Hurricane Shutters– These are some of the best installations you can consider for your property to keep it protected against stormy weather. Hurricane shutters provide excellent storm protection because they can withstand very high winds. They have a foldable blade system with a unique interlocking feature that helps to cover larger spans, holding them out of sight when not required. We can provide you high-grade accordion shutters from Alutech.

• Hurricane Windows-Hurricane windows can help to protect your home and family during storms. When there is a hurricane, broken windows can impact the structure’s integrity. However, when you opt for hurricane patio doors and windows, you can be sure that they would resist damage from heavy impacts. Even if the custom windows suffer damage and develop cracks, the fragments do not get scattered all over the place. Instead, the shards adhere to the window’s interlayer and stay within their frame.

• Storm Trim– Storm Trim is a trademarked product that Muhler Company has developed. It’s a highly affordable and code-compliant method of storm protection. You can install this trim on any door, other openings such as windows, garage doors, and more. The Storm Trim comes factory installed with decorative removable cover lining, which helps conceal the trim’s attachment points.

When you have the storm trim in place, it becomes more straightforward to install code-compliant protective panels. You do not have to spend any additional labor or time to passcode once you have installed the trim and the protection panels are in place. Typically, hurricane shutters need permanent anchor attachments and anchoring to deal with various siding conditions. Once you install storm trim, you do not have to worry about all these additional attachments.

• Hurricane Rated Storm Panels- These panels are one of the most cost-effective ways of protecting a structure during stormy weather. Hurricane-rated storm panels are incredibly versatile and can fit almost any opening and window in your home. Depending on your requirement and the structure, you can install these panel systems from either the structure’s exterior or interior. Since they are in corrugated form, they fit perfectly into each other during installation. Storage is easy, and they are very compact, which means that less space is required than traditional plywood.

In addition to these products, we also carry Fabric Shields and Storm Stud Attachment Systems.

Do You Need to Activate Hurricane Windows Before a Storm?

Typically, you would not need to activate hurricane windows before a storm. When a hurricane or storm warning is announced, people get into a frenzy and begin to stock up various food and emergency items. When you have your hands full, dealing with so many different things, it is best to have fewer things to worry about. The main advantage of hurricane windows is that they are permanently in place and become effective passive protection systems.

Certain other window treatments such as storm panels or shutters have to be engaged before the storm, which is not the case with impact-rated windows that protect you 24/7. In case of unexpected weather events, especially when you are not in town, impact-resistant windows are the best way to protect your property.

How Do I know If a Window Is Impact-Rated?

Sometimes, people confuse laminated glass systems with impact-resistant windows. It is essential to understand that not all laminated glass systems have impact-resistant ratings. Hurricane windows have to pass specific missile impact tests required for the ratings. Laminated glass is very different, and glass panels bond together using thin vinyl or film.

This membrane is shatterproof, specially designed to catch glass shards in case of an impact. In addition, it is also important to note that impact-rated windows are a combination of reinforced window frames and laminated glass.

The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) has set testing standards for storm protection systems. While the window impact rating may not permanently be etched on the glass panels, a reputable dealer and manufacturer can provide the required documentation to prove that the product is consistent with ASTM standards.

How Do I Know It’s Time to Replace My Windows?

If your windows are over 15 years old, they likely aren’t impact-resistant, which means they do not offer adequate hurricane and storm protection. Even if you have impact-resistant widows over 15-25 years old, you might need to replace them. It’s best to contact professionals to evaluate your windows once they touch the 10-year mark, as a thumb rule. That’s because the window glass can lose its robustness and strength, the seals begin to wear, affecting their performance, and you might need replacement windows.

Why Do You Need Custom Windows For Storm Protection?

Every home is different, and that means the features you need could differ. When you get any storm protection features installed, you need to conduct some research and discuss your requirements with experts in the field.

Our team is knowledgeable and experienced, and they will work with you to understand your needs. Don’t wait until a storm hits the area. Contact us for an obligation-free storm protection evaluation. We are here to recommend the best solutions within your budget. We have been operating in this industry for decades, and our team is knowledgeable and friendly.

They will help you select the best storm protection products. We also have a wide range of house windows, vinyl windows, and replacement doors. If you have been looking online for “window replacement near me,” you are at the right place.

For any more details about our storm protection products like hurricane windows, please call Muhler at this number- 843.572.9727. You can also send us queries about our commercial and residential vinyl windows and other products through the Online Form at the bottom of this page.