Information and Direction Page
Remember- The only thing worse than no hurricane protection, is the wrong protection!
This page will explain how online purchasing of hurricane products from the Forcefield Hurricane Superstore works, how shipping works, costs and is figured, how to properly figure out which size(s) of your chosen products to order and other information related to purchasing.
First, if you know what product you are interested in, the rest is easy. Just go to that product by clicking on it from the Catalog page or by selecting one of the tabs on the left that your product is located in. Once you get to your product page, there are several size options to choose from. Choose the sizes you need and the quantity of each and add them to your cart. Remember to add all the hardware and fasteners you'll need before "checking out".
If you are new to hurricane products and need help deciding which product will work best for your home/business, it is best if you call or email us for a consult so we can help you understand how each products works, it's benefits and features, and the costs of each. Or click here for our CONTACT US page. Call us toll free at 1-800-658-2295 between 9am and 4:30pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday. We try to answer every call personally, but during times of heavy business you may be asked to leave a message. We take our phone messages and email inquiries very seriously and we will get back with you as soon as we are available to spend the required time with you to answer all your questions and concerns.
The first thing you need to do is measure every opening you want to protect. GO HERE to see Layout and Measuring details. We suggest you start with the front door of the home as opening #1 and work your way around the home. We go clockwise around a home, but that is your choice.
To keep things easy to place once you receive your material it's best to number every opening whether or not it's being covered. We use a numbering system because most products are numbered when manufactured according to the order form we turn in. This way, you don't spend half a day measuring your product and trying to remember which opening it's to go on.
Once you have all your openings numbered and measured, you need to add the "overages" required by every storm protection product for proper coverage of your opening. The standard "overage" is 3 inches in every direction, or, a total of 6 inches to the width and the height. For example, if your BUCK opening is 38 wide by 54 high when you add in your "overages" the FINISHED width by height would be 44 wide by 60 high. Then you look for your product that is closest to the FINISHED size without going under. Now, with the panels system products you may have to buy much longer pieces than needed but you can always cut them down for a better fit (except the steel panels).
For clarification, BUCK refers to the opening size, not necessarily the window or door size. In Florida especially, most homes have recessed openings and a lot of those have what we call a flared sill or surround. These flared openings can add several inches to the window/door actual size so be sure to measure the opening not the actual window or door. Obviously, if you have the rare flush mount window/door (Mobile Homes, some condos etc.) then you would consider the window/door frame as the BUCK opening.
FINISHED refers to the minimum size that must be covered. In the example above, even though the buck opening is 38x54, the size you HAVE to cover is a minimum of 44x60, or the FINISHED size. Your FINISHED size is always the size you buy, not the buck size.
There are a few exceptions to the "overage" rule. The main one is garage service entry doors and any door that you do not step up to enter. In these instances the distance from the concrete slab to the top of the opening will be you BUCK opening. You would only add 3 inches to that number to get your FINISHED size, not the 6 inches discussed before.
The other is when you have a limited amount of space above an opening. There are times when an overhang or a second floor is only a few inches above a door or window. In this instance you would measure from the overhang down to the bottom of the opening. If you were attaching a product over an opening with limited area, you must have a minimum of 2 inches from the edge of the buck opening to the hole center of the mounted product.
Now if there is an edge that does not have mounting points in it along that reduced area over/under/next to an opening, you simply run the product right up against the obstruction covering the opening as best as you can as long as your mounting points don't run along the reduced area. Let's say you have an opening that has only 2 inches between the buck opening and the soffit panel (overhang). If you wanted to run a panel system or windscreen product vertically on this opening you would not be able to. Remember, any mounting fasteners or track must be at least 2 inches away from the buck opening (edge distance). With panel system products the mounting holes are drilled in the product 1 inch into the product. So, if you were to try to mount on a 2 inch limited area, you'd be an inch too long. You would then have to run your panel product horizontal instead which would change your width by height numbers.
REMEMBER: If you choose to run one of the panels system products horizontally and direct mounted to any opening, the hieght becomes the width and the width becomes the hieght. Using our example above, the opening that is 38wide x 54high as you look at it will have a BUCK size of 54wide x 38high and a FINISHED size of 60wide x 44high. You stll add the "overages" but because panels are oriented only 1 way, everything rotates. If you were to order a panel system product wanting it to run horizontal not vertical without changing the width and height numbers, the product you'd receive would only fit your opening vertically. It would still cover the opening, just not the way you intended and if there were any obstructions you'd then have a problem. Again, take your time with these numbers and be sure everything is correct before you order because once the material is cut, you own it. As always, if you have a question or concern, we're here to help just call or email.
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