oladulce - 11-23-2006 at 02:07 PM
We've been very happy with the rolling shutters we used on our project in Baja Sur and I thought I'd pass along the info. These are custom made
shutters and great quality for the price. It's a small company and we received very personalized service.
Wheatbelt
Wheatbelt doesn't promote these as "hurricane" shutters because there is a very costly certification/testing process involved for them to to be
labeled officially "hurricane proof". but we were satisfied with their report that their shutters have protected windows from hail and very strong
midwest windstorms.
Hurricane John this year brought only tropical storm force winds to our area but allowed us to test out the shutters. With the shutters down we could
open the windows for ventilation and keep out alot of the blowing dirt. With the windows closed there was no glass vibration during the strongest
gusts so it seems like they will offer pretty good
protection.
We described our environment and needs-
1. Security for a part time residence in a remote area.
2. Environment: windy dusty desert, on the ocean , in a potential hurricane zone.
Roger at Wheatbelt provided very helpful suggesions.
We ordered the foam-filled aluminum slat models online and they arrived in about a week. (This order was for 5 small windows in a little casita but I
imagine larger orders would take longer).
Out biggest window was 38"x43" and the shutter was $273 for an example of the price.
Ours are the manual crank model that requires a specialized tool to operate. Once they're down, they won't come up with out this special tool. It
should deter vandalism and break-ins and make it enough of a pain that hopefully ratones will go elsewhere. Everybody knows if they want to get in
they will, but I sure as heck don't want to make it easy for them !
When we design the main house, now we know to incorporate the shutter box and track inside the window opening and soffit above so you won't
even see them when they're up. Since I've painted the boxes and frames, they blend pretty well with the walls. Check out their website to see how they
look when the shutters are down.
During construction
After painting
[Edited on 4-21-2007 by oladulce]
CJ - 11-23-2006 at 02:52 PM
Wow.....Thanks for the info. They look like they are built well. I'm going to do some measuring and contact the company. In Loreto.....unfortunatly we
neede things such as this.
Bob and Susan - 11-23-2006 at 06:21 PM
you guys always find the best stuff and ideas
rejas?
pacificobob - 11-23-2006 at 09:07 PM
am i correct in thinking that is what the word is for the steel window bars?
bajasunsolutions - 12-5-2007 at 08:04 AM
Hello,
The metal shutters work great! I have installed many of these units in homes in the U.S. One problem I would like to point out is that the shutters
sometimes fail due to pull on the walls of the house, I have seen these shutters rip right off in Los Barriles (hurricane Jon) but I must say they
work great the majority of the time.
[26 line advertisement removed - bn]
[Edited on 12-5-2007 by BajaNomad]