How often do my shutters need maintenance?
Yes. Like any moving mechanical system, hurricane shutters should be maintained to help ensure smooth operation and long-term performance. At the time of installation, Nu Code Shutters performs the manufacturer's recommended initial lubrication. After that, we recommend homeowners perform basic maintenance twice a year, ideally before and after hurricane season. Routine maintenance includes: Cleaning debris, dirt, leaves, and other buildup from the tracks of accordion and roll-up shutters. Lubricating moving parts with a silicone-based lubricant or Shutter Spray (available for purchase through Nu Code Shutters). Applying a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to removable or adjustable screws to help protect against corrosion and make future adjustments easier. If you prefer, Nu Code Shutters also offers professional maintenance and service.
What areas do you serve?
Nu Code Shutters proudly serves homeowners and businesses throughout Southeast Louisiana, including Lafourche, Terrebonne and surrounding Parishes, the Greater Baton Rouge area, the Greater New Orleans area, and the North Shore. Our regular service area also includes communities throughout the region, from Donaldsonville to Grand Isle and Franklin to the North Shore. For larger projects or specialty installations, we may travel outside our normal service area, just contact us!
Do you service shutters installed by other companies?
In many cases, yes. We service many types of hurricane shutters, although some discontinued systems may have limited parts availability. We'll evaluate your system and let you know how we can help.
Can I leave my screens down all the time?
It depends. Magnatrack Insect Screens and Shade/Solar Screens are designed for everyday use but should be raised in high winds. Magnatrack Defender Hurricane Screens are engineered for severe weather and can remain deployed during hurricanes (additional storm clips may be required).
Can I see through the screens?
Yes. All of our screen systems are designed to maintain outward visibility while providing different levels of shade, insect protection, or hurricane protection.
Think of looking through the screen like looking through a tinted window. During the day, when it's brighter outside than inside, you'll enjoy excellent visibility looking out while making it more difficult for people outside to see in. However, at night, if lights are on inside your patio or home and it's dark outside, visibility is reversed and people outside will be able to see through the screen.
Solar & Shade Screens reduce heat, glare, and harmful UV rays while maintaining your view to the outdoors. For most applications, black screen fabric provides the best outward visibility.
Insect Screens provide excellent visibility while helping keep mosquitoes and other insects outside.
Defender Hurricane Screens also allow visibility, although the reinforced hurricane-rated fabric is denser and appears slightly darker than standard shade or insect screens.
During your consultation, we'll help you choose the screen fabric that offers the right balance of visibility, privacy, heat reduction, and hurricane protection for your home.
Will I need an electrician for motorized shutters or screens?
In most cases, yes, but only to provide a standard 110-volt electrical outlet near the motor location. Most motorized shutters and screens simply plug into a regular household outlet and do not require special wiring or high-voltage electrical service. Even our larger motors draw less than 4 amps during operation.
For the cleanest installation, we typically recommend installing the outlet in the attic or another concealed location near the opening.
If you're building a new home or remodeling, it's a good idea to discuss motorized products early in the project so the outlet can be installed before insulation and drywall are completed.
What types of shutters does Nu Code Shutters install?
Since 1998, Nu Code Shutters has specialized in hurricane protection for homes and businesses throughout Southeast Louisiana. Today, we offer one of the region's most complete selections of hurricane shutters, motorized retractable screens, and custom window treatment solutions.
Hurricane Protection: Roll-Up Shutters, Accordion Shutters, Colonial Shutters, Board & Batten Shutters, Bahama Shutters, Hurricane Window Screens, Storm Panels, Garage Door Bracing.
Motorized Retractable Screens: Defender Hurricane Screens, Shade Screens, Insect Screens.
Outdoor Living: Aluminum Privacy Walls, Gates & Fences, Aluminum Awnings, Motorized Retractable Awnings.
Interior Window Treatments: Plantation Shutters, Shades, Blinds.
What is the best hurricane shutter for a home in South Louisiana?
There isn't a single “best” hurricane shutter for every home. The right choice depends on your home's architecture, your budget, how you want the protection to look, how quickly you want to prepare for a storm, and whether you want the product to provide everyday benefits as well.
Accordion Shutters are permanently attached, require no electricity, and can be secured in minutes.
Roll-Up Shutters offer the convenience of manual or motorized operation and are especially popular for second-story windows and large openings.
Bahama Shutters provide everyday shade, privacy, and coastal curb appeal while serving as hurricane protection when properly secured.
Colonial and Board & Batten Shutters enhance your home's appearance year-round while providing hurricane protection when closed.
Defender Hurricane Screens are an excellent solution for patios, outdoor living spaces, garages, and other large openings.
Hurricane Window Screens provide discreet, year-round protection with minimal impact on your home's appearance.
Removable Storm Panels are an economical option that are installed only when a storm is approaching. They're an excellent choice for windows where permanent shutters aren't practical or for homeowners who prefer not to have hurricane protection visible year-round.
Because Nu Code Shutters offers one of the widest selections of hurricane protection products in Southeast Louisiana, we're not limited to recommending a single product for your entire home. In many cases, the best solution is a combination of products selected specifically for each opening.
For example, a home may have Colonial shutters on the front for curb appeal, roll-up shutters on second-story windows for convenience, Defender Hurricane Screens enclosing the patio, and removable storm panels protecting a side or specialty-shaped window.
We'll help you design the solution that best fits your home, your lifestyle, and your budget.
What is the Louisiana Fortified Homes Program?
The Louisiana Fortified Homes Program helps eligible homeowners strengthen their homes against hurricane damage by providing grants to upgrade to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ standard.
While the program primarily focuses on improving the roof system, homeowners seeking a FORTIFIED Gold™ designation must also protect all qualifying exterior openings with approved hurricane protection products.
Nu Code Shutters has worked with homeowners, builders, and contractors throughout Louisiana to help achieve FORTIFIED Gold™ homes by providing and installing code-approved hurricane protection systems that meet the program's opening protection requirements.
If you're building a new home or planning improvements to qualify for FORTIFIED Gold™, we'll be happy to work with you, your contractor, and your design team to help select the appropriate hurricane protection products for your project.
Are hurricane shutters rated by wind speed?
Not exactly. While many homeowners ask whether hurricane shutters are “rated for 150 mph” or “160 mph,” wind speed is only one part of the approval process.
Code-approved hurricane protection products undergo extensive testing to evaluate their ability to withstand wind-borne debris impacts, repeated positive and negative wind pressure cycles, and other performance requirements established by today's building codes. Many products are tested in accordance with ASTM E1886 and ASTM E1996, nationally recognized standards for impact-resistant opening protection.
The appropriate product for your home depends on several factors, including the size and type of the opening, the building code in effect, and the product's approved installation requirements. Some projects may also require a site-specific engineering review.
At Nu Code Shutters, we don't recommend products based solely on a published wind speed. We recommend code-approved systems that are appropriate for your application and install them in accordance with their approved installation requirements.
The real question isn't, “What wind speed is this shutter rated for?” It's, “Has this product been properly tested, approved, and installed for my specific application?” That's what provides confidence in the performance of your hurricane protection.
How long does it take to install shutters?
Most residential installations are completed in one day, although larger or more complex projects may take longer. Manufacturing lead times typically run 6 to 12 weeks depending on the product, seasonal demand, and material availability. If a manufacturer experiences production delays, lead times may extend. Rather than making promises we can't keep, we believe in being transparent and will give you the most accurate update available when you ask.
Can I install shutters on a rental property?
Yes. A rental property owner can install exterior shutters and qualify for the same insurance wind-mitigation discount as an owner-occupied home. Tenants typically cannot install permanent shutters without the owner's written approval because installation attaches anchors to the structure. Nu Code Shutters works directly with landlords and property managers across Southeast Louisiana.
Are storm-rated shutters worth the investment?
If you live in South Louisiana, many homeowners consider hurricane shutters one of the best investments they can make to protect their property.
In addition to helping protect windows and doors from wind-borne debris, many storm-rated products provide everyday benefits such as security, privacy, shade, and convenience. Depending on your home and insurance carrier, qualifying hurricane protection may also make your home eligible for wind mitigation insurance discounts.
Because every home is different, Nu Code Shutters offers a variety of hurricane protection systems and will help you select the products that best balance appearance, convenience, maintenance, and budget.
What hurricane protection is best for second-story windows?
The best solution depends on your priorities, including convenience, appearance, everyday use, and your budget.
Roll-Up Shutters are one of our most popular choices for second-story windows because they can be operated entirely from inside your home. Whether you choose a motorized system or a manual crank, there's no need to open the window or reach outside to deploy the shutter.
Hurricane Window Screens are another excellent option because they provide 24/7, year-round protection without requiring any action before a storm. For second-story applications, we install our Operable Frame Hurricane Window Screens that can be opened from inside the home for emergency egress or to clean the exterior of the windows.
Bahama Shutters and Accordion Shutters are also popular for second-story windows. For these applications, we typically have the shutters manufactured with the locking mechanism on the interior side. This allows you to open the window, remove the insect screen, and reach outside to open or close the shutters without climbing a ladder.
During your consultation, we'll explain the advantages of each system and help you choose the best solution based on your home's design, how you plan to use the shutters, and your budget.
What are the most common hurricane shutter installation mistakes?
Even the best hurricane protection product can fail if it isn't installed correctly. Unfortunately, we've inspected many systems over the years that looked fine from the outside but weren't installed in accordance with the manufacturer's approved installation requirements.
Some of the most common installation problems include using the wrong fasteners, failing to achieve the required embedment into the structure, improper anchor spacing, installing products into materials that won't provide adequate support, or substituting hardware that wasn't part of the approved installation.
For example, we frequently see shutters fastened into brick using plastic anchors and small screws instead of the approved masonry fasteners. While the shutters may appear secure under normal conditions, they may not perform as intended during hurricane-force winds.
Every code-approved hurricane protection product is tested as a complete system. That testing includes not only the product itself, but also the installation method, fasteners, and supporting structure. Changing any part of that approved installation may affect how the product performs.
At Nu Code Shutters, our installers are factory trained and install products in accordance with the applicable product approvals and manufacturer's installation requirements. If a project requires site-specific engineering, we'll work with the appropriate design professionals to ensure the installation meets the project requirements.
How do I choose a qualified hurricane shutter contractor?
Choosing the right contractor is just as important as choosing the right hurricane protection product. Even a code-approved product may not perform as intended if it isn't installed correctly.
Before hiring a contractor, we recommend taking a few minutes to verify their qualifications.
Don't simply ask if they're licensed. Verify it yourself. Visit the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Contractor Search and confirm that the contractor's license is active and in good standing. A local business license or occupational license is not the same as a Louisiana contractor's license. The LSLBC encourages homeowners to verify licensure before hiring a contractor.
Don't rely on a photocopy of an insurance certificate. Ask the contractor's insurance agent to send a Certificate of Insurance directly to you. A certificate supplied by the contractor may be outdated, altered, or the policy may have been cancelled since it was printed.
Make sure the contractor carries appropriate general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, and verify that the business name on the insurance certificate matches the name on the contractor's license.
Ask who will actually perform the installation. Some companies use subcontractors, while others use their own trained employees. At Nu Code Shutters, every installation is performed by our own employees. We do not subcontract our installations.
Finally, ask how long the company has been installing hurricane protection in Louisiana and whether they service the products they install. Hurricane protection is a long-term investment, and it's important to choose a company that will still be there when you need service years later.
What is the difference between Non-Rated and Hurricane-Rated shutters?
At first glance, our Non-Rated and Hurricane-Rated shutters may look very similar, but they are designed and manufactured for different purposes.
Our Non-Rated shutters are an excellent alternative to traditional wood shutters. They provide the same architectural appearance without the concerns of wood rot, warping, termites, or frequent painting. Because they are not intended to provide hurricane protection, they have not been tested or approved to meet hurricane impact or wind-load requirements.
Our Hurricane-Rated shutters are engineered and tested to meet specific building code requirements for hurricane protection. When properly installed and secured, they are designed to help protect your home's openings during severe weather in accordance with their applicable product approvals.
The differences extend beyond the testing. Hurricane-Rated shutters use heavier-duty construction and are installed using approved fastening methods and embedment requirements specified by the product approval. While both products use high-quality hardware, the installation requirements for Hurricane-Rated shutters are more stringent because they are designed to resist hurricane forces.
During your consultation, we'll explain the differences between the two products and help you decide which best fits your home's appearance, budget, and protection goals.
Can Non-Rated shutters be upgraded later?
In many cases, no. Hurricane-Rated shutters are designed as a complete engineered system. The shutter construction, hardware, fasteners, and installation method all work together to meet the product approval. Simply replacing hardware or adding larger fasteners does not convert a Non-Rated shutter into a Hurricane-Rated shutter.
Will Nu Code provide pricing for both Non-Rated and Hurricane-Rated shutters?
Yes. For Colonial, Bahama, and Board & Batten shutters, we typically provide pricing for both Non-Rated and Hurricane-Rated versions whenever both options are appropriate for your home.
Many homeowners begin the process assuming they want hurricane-rated shutters, while others are primarily interested in enhancing their home's appearance with a low-maintenance alternative to wood. By providing both options, you can compare the differences in cost, construction, installation, hurricane protection, maintenance, and potential wind mitigation benefits before making a decision.
Our goal isn't to steer you toward one product over another. It's to give you the information you need to choose the solution that best fits your home, your budget, and your long-term goals.
