Living in hurricane-prone areas requires more than just installing storm protection—it requires maintaining it. Hurricane shutters are a critical defense against high winds, flying debris, and heavy rain, but without proper care, their effectiveness can decline over time.
This guide explains why hurricane shutter repair and maintenance matter, what to inspect, common problems to watch for, and how professional service helps ensure your shutters perform when you need them most.
Hurricane shutters are exposed year-round to sun, salt air, moisture, and movement. Regular inspections and maintenance help preserve their strength, reliability, and compliance with safety standards.
Routine maintenance ensures shutters deploy properly and remain structurally sound during severe weather. A shutter that fails to close or lock correctly can compromise your entire storm defense system.
Well-maintained hurricane shutters can last decades. Addressing small issues early—such as loose hardware or track debris—prevents premature wear and costly replacements.
Preventive maintenance and minor repairs are far less expensive than major repairs or full shutter replacement. Regular upkeep protects your investment.
Florida building codes and some insurance providers require storm protection systems to remain in working condition. Routine maintenance helps ensure ongoing compliance.
Inspect shutters for:
Any visible damage should be addressed promptly.
Remove dirt, salt, and debris from shutter surfaces and tracks. Lubricate hinges, rollers, and moving parts to ensure smooth operation—especially before hurricane season.
Tighten loose screws, bolts, and anchors. Replace corroded or damaged hardware to maintain structural integrity during storms.
Inspect weather stripping and seals to prevent water intrusion. Worn or damaged seals should be replaced to maintain a tight storm barrier.
Metal shutters benefit from protective coatings that resist corrosion. Treat early signs of rust before they weaken the shutter system.
Open and close shutters fully to check for:
Operational issues should be corrected before storm season.
Damaged slats, rollers, locks, hinges, or tracks should be repaired or replaced promptly to avoid system failure during storms.
Solution: Remove rust, apply corrosion-resistant treatments, and maintain protective coatings.
Solution: Replace damaged slats to restore full impact resistance.
Solution: Tighten or replace fasteners to ensure shutters remain securely anchored.
Solution: Replace seals to prevent water infiltration and air gaps.
Solution: Clean and lubricate tracks or adjust alignment. Replace worn rollers if needed.
At Lafferty Aluminum & Screening, we specialize in keeping hurricane shutter systems reliable, compliant, and storm-ready.
We provide:
Our team understands the demands of coastal and inland storm exposure and delivers solutions designed for long-term performance.
At minimum, shutters should be inspected and serviced once per year, ideally before hurricane season. Coastal homes may benefit from more frequent checks.
Basic cleaning and visual inspections can be done by homeowners, but professional service is recommended for repairs, alignment, and component replacement.
Neglected shutters may fail to deploy, suffer corrosion, or lose impact resistance—putting your home at risk during storms.
Yes. Even if no visible damage is present, shutters should be inspected after major storms to ensure they remain fully functional.
Many issues—such as slats, tracks, rollers, and locks—can be repaired or replaced without needing a full system replacement.
Properly maintained shutters are more likely to meet insurance and building code requirements, which may affect coverage or discounts.
"Lafferty did an amazing job! We love our new screen. They were very professional and we had our finished screen before expected. We recommend Lafferty to everyone."
"Lafferty did an excellent job on our unconventional screening project. The office staff was responsive and friendly. From consultation to installation, all of our questions and concerns were addressed."
"Lafferty did an excellent job installing our pool screens. The are prompt and keep you well informed concerning the job! I would definitely hire Lafferty Screens again!!"
"We are very satisfied with our new fence and work done by Lafferty Aluminum. Quality, professionalism, and reliability working with Lafferty has been very good and I am happy we chose them."
"Lafferty was one of the easiest and smoothest company's to work with. We are building our home and these guys were so customer friendly, answered all our questions, was available to take our call if we had questions."
"Friendly service, professional attitude of employee, polite and they cleaned up as they worked. We had our pool enclosed redone after hurricane damage and now it looks great. Thanks"
"Lafferty did a fantastic job from start to finish on the patio pavers and aluminum screening. They completed the project on time, and perhaps even a little ahead of schedule!"
"I couldn't be happier with the work performed by Lafferty. They replaced my original screen house in February in a professional and timely manner. I would highly recommend them for your screen enclosure needs."
We're excited to learn more about your needs and provide you with a personalized quote. Please fill out the form, and our team will get back to you with a detailed estimate to kickstart your project.
