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Storm shutters, or panels, come in aluminum, steel, or reinforced plastic, and are all considered equally effective. Plastic is more expensive, but will also let in light, so you won't be left in darkness if a hurricane blows out the lights. Depending on the kind of shutters you buy, you may need panels the same size as your window, or panels that are several inches larger on every side. All hurricane shutters have a width of 15.25 inches (38.7cm). Order shutters, H tracks, and F tracks from your local home construction store or from a metals or plastics distributor. If you are bolting your windows instead of installing tracks, you will not need to buy H or F tracks. Purchasing shutters will usually lower your homeowner's insurance premium. Plastic will run you about $18 sq. ft, while metal will fall around $11 sq. ft. If you're doing it yourself, measure the window height and the shutter height. Subtract the window height from the panel height, then divide the result by 2. Bolt the H track that number of inches or centimeters above the window opening. Then install the F track the full length of the panel below the H track. For instance, if your panels are 6 inches (15cm) taller than your windows, install the H track 3 inches (7.6cm) above the window. Slide the shutters into the H track. Attach the bottom section of the shutters to the F track with bolts. Besides the instructions, the bolts, and the wing nuts included with your purchase, you will need a screwdriver. Fabric storm panels are more expensive than metal and plastic panels, but they come with some advantages. Once they are mounted, they are very easy and quick to put up, meaning it won't take you long after a storm warning to protect your windows. They're also lightweight, so you can put them up yourself, and they fold up for storage. Find a dealer online or at a home improvement retailer near you. In most cases, your dealer will install the fabric panels for you. If not, follow the included instructions for installation. Fabric panels are just as effective as metal or plastic shutters, and will also qualify you for savings on insurance. PVC fabric runs around $12 sq. ft, whereas Kevlar will cost you nearly double that. High-impact glass is two panes of glass with a plastic layer in between them. They are quite expensive, but once they're up they will look like ordinary windows. It will cost you up to $50 a sq. ft. for single-glazed impact glass and $70 sq. ft. for double-glazed. Double-glazed glass is more expensive, but it's also more energy efficient, and may lower your heating and air conditioning bills. Purchasing high-impact glass will likely lower your insurance premium. Hire a professional to give you all-new windows.
Order metal or plastic storm shutters. Install your storm shutters or hire a professional to install them. Consider investing in fabric storm panels. Replace your windows with high-impact glass.