Hurricane Preparedness
When a homeowner decides to build a lanai, it quickly becomes one of their favorite spaces. However, Florida is notorious for our strong storms and especially hurricanes. It’s important to build your lanai to withstand these storms. Protect your home, and your peace of mind by choosing screens that can weather Florida’s fierce forecasts. Are there hurricane screens for a lanai? What should you be shopping for?
Building to Survive the Storm
Technically, there are no hurricane lanai screens. However, there’s a time-tested strategy for securing a lanai or screen enclosure that’s likely to survive rough weather. Dulando has built thousands of lanai enclosures that have withstood Category 4 and 5 hurricanes. It’s important to choose a trusted screen enclosure contractor who understands what it takes to build successfully in the Sunshine State. A local, family-owned and -operated company, Dulando Screen & Awning knows exactly how to get the job done. Nearly 100% of our new builds withstand hurricane-force winds without flinching.
How do we do it? For starters, Dulando adheres to all the relevant building rules and regulations. As Floridians, we stay up to date on all federal, state, county, and city codes. We ensure that they are followed faithfully whenever we design and build a screen enclosure. The information isn’t an afterthought. It is incorporated into our work, so you can be confident that any structure we complete is built to last.
Hurricane screens for lanai may not exist, but durable screens are a crucial element of a sturdy lanai. That’s why Dulando uses Pfifer screens. For more than 70 years, Pfifer’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and durability has been producing top-quality screening products that deliver the features customers want most. Are you craving enhanced toughness, extra privacy, or additional protection from persistent pests or strong sun? Does some combination of those qualities sound appealing? Dulando will work with you to select the ideal screen product for your needs and budget.
Seeking Extra Layers of Protection
Modern screens are marvels at keeping the normal outdoor annoyances out of your outside living spaces. Quality screening products are also remarkably durable and capable of withstanding much of what everyday life tosses their way. However, they do have their limits. If a severe storm sends tree limbs and other debris flying forcefully, screens can be vulnerable. There are no storm screens for lanai that come with hurricane-proof ratings.
If lanai hurricane protection is a concern, consider investing in an extra layer of protection. Hurricane fabric is sometimes called fabric storm shutters or hurricane cloth shutters. These resin-coated fabrics offer an affordable and user-friendly way to surround your lanai with protection. When bad weather threatens, you’ll simply use the included clips to shield your space with the panels of hurricane fabric. After the sky clears, take down the lightweight panels. Store them until next time.
Dulando is proud to offer Eastern Metal Supply’s Bertha Hurricane Fabric. With nearly twice the burst strength of its competitors, this hardy fabric delivers serious protection. Available in white or beige, it’s custom cut for a tailored fit and has heat-sealed edges to avoid fraying. It can easily be installed by a single person.
When you have questions about lanais, Dulando Screen & Awning has answers. Whether you want to learn more about protecting your lanai from stormy weather, the latest lanai features, or how to get the best bang for your buck when designing your lanai, our expert team is ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home design consultation.
Hurricane Preparedness
The longer, easy going days of summer are just around the corner. And while it’s easy to feel carefree during these months, it is also the beginning of hurricane season. In order to be well-prepared for high winds and major rainstorms, we’ve created this post as a useful reminder and offer guidelines to prepare for hurricane season which will help protect your family and home.
In Florida, hurricane preparedness and safety are important homeowner concerns and should not be placed on the back burner until heavy storms roll in. Each year as many as 25 – 30 named storms are predicted, so it is important to be prepared in case of a natural disaster.
As long time residents of the area know all too well, it can affect one’s life for months if not years after the storm has passed. That’s exactly why it is smart to be prepared for hurricane season.
Dulando Screen & Awning recommends the following tips to protect your home and family. These tips will help you minimize costly damage from hurricanes and storms and provide you with peace of mind in advance of any storms:
In-Home Steps To Prepare for Hurricane Season
No matter what type of home or dwelling you live in, here are several basic steps to prepare for hurricane seasons:
- Stock a 3-day supply for each family member of ready-to-eat food and drinkable water
- Keep a 30-day supply of vital medicines on hand as well as a first-aid kit
- Stock up on batteries, flashlights and candles. If quick access to power is critical to your home or health, then invest in an emergency generator
- Purchase a portable storm radio with extra batteries or a crank-up model
- Review your homeowners insurance and ask your agent to explain all the important details of your coverage. Understand what is covered and what is generally not covered in the event of damage to your home (especially in the case of a hurricane with winds and rain)
Having those preliminary steps taken care of in advance will help you and your loved ones stay calm and safe during the time when storms enter the Central Florida area.
Preparing Your Home’s Outdoor Areas For Storms and Hurricanes
The next level of prevention happens outside your home. If you’re handy with a hammer, saw and landscaping tools, much of the work can be done yourself. Here are helpful tips on how to prepare the outside areas of your home:
Landscape and Backyard:
- Keep all trees and shrubbery trimmed, especially those near your patio, pool, screen enclosure and garage.
- Cut back weak branches and aged trees, most likely to fall on or near your home.
- Remove any light-weight or unsecured outdoor décor such as container plant pots, benches, wind chimes and anything else that may be easily carried off by storm winds.
Windows, Shutters and Awnings:
- Inspect windows, shutters and awnings to be certain they are in good shape for the season. If you are replacing your existing windows, install impact-resistant window systems.
- Another option may include installing impact-resistant shutters that close over window openings to prevent flying debris from breaking windowpanes. Since these areas involve the integrity of your home’s structure, it may require a professional contractor to help with the right selection of storm-ready materials and installation. Contact us for a quote.
Entry and Patio Doors:
- Make certain all your entry doors are well secured in their frames and hinges. With patio doors, the sliding glass type are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors.
- If you are replacing your patio doors, consider installing impact-resistant door systems made of laminated glass, plastic glazing or a combination of plastic and glass.
- When a hurricane threatens, an easy, temporary and effective step is to cover the entire patio door with shutters made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
Patio and Screen Enclosures: Patio areas and screen enclosures are one of the areas of your home that are most vulnerable to immediate and lasting hurricane damage. As a result, it’s very important to prepare these areas for any incoming storm, just the same way you would do for the rest of your home. Here are 3 areas of concern to pay special attention to:
- Flying debris is one of the most serious issues whenever you need to prepare patio for hurricane. It is this debris, not necessarily the wind and rain, that can wreak the most serious havoc. Even small items such as hanging plants become powerful projectiles in storm conditions. Remove anything from the patio that you can safely store inside.
- If you have outdoor furniture that cannot be moved, try turning them upside down. Close and bring in patio and table umbrellas. This helps prevent them from being caught by the wind and potentially lifted during the storm and going through your screen enclosure.
- If your patio area has a pool, include it in your plans as you prepare for a hurricane. Many pool experts recommend leaving a normal water level in your pool as a storm approaches, but adding extra chlorine to reduce storm water contamination.
Please contact us with your questions on how to prepare for hurricane season for your patio and screen enclosures – we’re here to help you!
Aluminum Screen Enclosure, Hurricane Preparedness, Pool Screen Enclosure
Homeowners in Florida know this time of year can be one of the busiest for tropical storm and hurricane activity. Since these volatile storms pose a major threat to your property and family, it’s important to prepare your home before hurricane season. The patio and screened enclosures are often overlooked during storm preparations; however, they can be easily secured and protected from the damaging effects of a hurricane.
As part of your outdoor living area, patios and screen pool enclosures are most susceptible to gusting winds and drenching rains. Large outdoor items such as patio furniture, umbrellas, trash cans, plant pots and wall décor need to be properly stored or secured. All too often, we’ve seen lightweight outdoor furniture, like PVC chairs and tables, become flying projectiles during a hurricane through home windows or screen pool enclosures. So when news of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane is coming your way, start with securing or storing large outdoor items such as as the following:
- Heavy items and furniture, such as a patio table, may be turned on their sides or upside down to help prevent it from being caught by the wind and tossed about the patio.
- Potted plants – even small pots can become dangerous projectiles in hurricane strength winds; therefore, they should be removed
- Patio umbrellas – close them and remove them from stands and/or patio tables. A gust of wind can send an open umbrella flying through your screen enclosure
- Decorative items – store them safely inside your home or garage to ensure protection from water damage
- Overhanging trees – cut back limbs, remove decaying branches, trim off weak limbs and loose leaves. Pay extra attention to any trees or shrubs that are close to your home and especially your patio area and screen enclosure or pool.
- Enclosed swimming pool – Pool builders recommend leaving water in your pool during a hurricane or strong storm, but adding more chlorine to reduce storm water contamination. Your pool may overflow, but will be less likely to be damaged by the storm and/or debris that may fall into it. Most importantly, cover outdoor electrical devices with appropriate waterproof material to reduce the risk of damage.
By being prepared and taking the necessary preventative measures during hurricane season, you are ensuring the safety and security of your home, family and pets.
Follow the steps we’ve outlined above and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve taken care to keep you, your family and home safe this hurricane season.
If you’ve been hit by a storm and are in need of a pool enclosure replacement, please give us a call at 407-862-6060
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