Hurricane Season Guide
STORM READY.INSIDE TOO.
Your windows and shutters do the protecting. Your blinds, shades and motors just need to come through the storm working — here is how to make sure they do.
Before the Storm
GET EVERYTHING OUT OF THE WAY.
Clear the window so storm panels, accordion shutters or roll-downs can close without catching fabric — and so you can watch the window for leaks.
Rechargeable motorized shades keep working in an outage only if they are charged. Top them up when a storm enters the forecast.
Hardwired motors stop with the power. Decide now whether you want rooms dark or open for the next few days.
Exterior roller shades and patio screens should be fully retracted or removed — fabric in the wind becomes a sail.
During an Outage
BATTERY BEATS HARDWIRED HERE.
Days without power are when motor choice shows. Battery and solar-charged motors keep running from a remote or wall switch; hub-based app and voice control may drop out with the Wi-Fi, but the remote still works. Hardwired motors wait for the power to return.
None of this means hardwired is wrong — it is the cleanest option in a pre-wired condo. It just means knowing your system before June. Our battery vs. hardwired guide covers the trade-offs in detail.
After the Storm
HUMIDITY IS THE REAL DAMAGE.
Closed-up homes without air conditioning get humid fast. Raise shades so fabric can dry, get air moving as soon as power is back, and check fabric backs, sills and shutter louvers for moisture. Rinse salt residue from exterior-facing hardware on oceanfront units.
Materials matter here: solution-dyed fabrics and composite or poly shutters shrug off humidity that warps wood and spots untreated fabric. Our Florida materials guide explains what holds up.
Common Questions
HURRICANE SEASON FAQS.
Do interior shades or shutters protect windows in a hurricane?
No. Interior window treatments are not storm protection. Impact-rated windows or exterior storm shutters and panels protect the opening; your blinds and shades just need to be out of the way and undamaged.
Will motorized shades work during a power outage?
Battery-powered motors keep working through an outage as long as they are charged. Hardwired motors stop when the power does, so set them where you want them before the storm and know where the manual override is if your system has one.
What should I do with shades if my building closes accordion shutters?
Raise or retract interior shades and draw back drapery so nothing is caught when exterior shutters close or panels go up, and so you can see the window during the storm.
How do I deal with humidity and mold after a storm?
Get air moving as soon as power returns, raise shades so fabric can dry fully, and check the back side of fabrics and the window sill. Solution-dyed fabrics and composite or poly shutters handle humidity far better than untreated wood and cotton.
Planning motorized shades with storm season in mind? See motorized & smart shades or build your project for a free consultation.
Next Step
DESIGN YOUR LIGHT.
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