Online Hurricane Screen Installation Instructions

Hurricane Protection System Installation Instructions

Proper installation of the mounting anchors is critical to the successful performance of our products. These products are designed to be installed by an experienced do-it-yourselfer who has acquired and can use the proper tools and follows all the recommended safety practices. Otherwise, we strongly recommend that the homeowner engage a licensed contractor to perform the anchoring installations. (Licensed Contractors by State).

Barrier Island Shutters offers two types of installation instructions:

A. Pre-existing shutter replacement (plywood, metal, plastic etc.)

B. New applications of Diamond Screens where there is no current hurricane protection installed.

A. Pre-existing shutter replacement ( for pre-existing anchors )

Replacing plywood or other hurricane protection materials with our Diamond Screen solutions enables you to use the existing anchors (check to confirm code anchoring requirements at www.floridabuilding.org) for your new screens which may save you a substantial amount of cost, effort and time.

Once you have measured and ordered the Diamond Screens, Barrier Island Shutters will ship the custom screens without grommets installed. Grommets and grommet setting tools can be acquired at your local hardware store or vendor.

Place the appropriate screen "square" on the selected opening.

Mark the location of the upper left anchor on the screen. The anchor point should be at least 1" from the screen edge.
Mark this point on the screen.
Install the grommet in the screen and place the screen on the anchor.
Re-confirm squaring of the screen on the opening and mark the upper right anchor on the screen.
Repeat step 4.
Re-confirm squaring of the screen on the opening and mark the lower right anchor on the screen. You may prefer to install the screen snug to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth appearance.
Repeat step 4.
Re-confirm squaring of the screen on the opening and mark the lower left anchor on the screen. You may prefer to install the screen snug to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth appearance.
Repeat step 4.
Align and mark all left side (or top) anchor locations on the screen.
Repeat step 4.
Align and mark all right side (or bottom) anchor locations on the screen. You may prefer to install the screen snug to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth appearance.
Repeat step 4.

Note: Your State's hurricane protection code may require anchor spacing at a specific interval. The spacing is influenced by building substrate and historic wind force patterns in your area. You may secure this information from your State or licensed local contractor. In addition, your insurance company may offer insurance discounts for properly installed screen protection.

B. New Application of Hurricane Screens (where there is no current hurricane protection installed)

Fundamentals of all Installation Processes (FIP)

Several structural aspects of your building may vary depending on the building code of your community at the time of construction. However, construction is typically wood frame, concrete or hollow concrete block. In most cases windows and doors are framed within the wall by wood beams referred to as studs, headers and sills. Studs, headers and sills are some of the stronger points in a wall and are an appropriate base for anchors.

Typically the industry uses Elco "PanelMate" male bolts with wing nuts or PanelMate female bolts with "sidewalk caps" for easy install / de-install by season.

Please note that each anchor MUST penetrate the anchoring medium by at least 1.5".

We will use the window opening for installation directions � please convert and apply the same fundamental procedures when installing Door or Vent screens.

To start the process, hold the Barrier Island screen, in the install position, on the opening. Ensure that the screen is overlapping the opening equally on all sides or as the opening area permits. The screen is designed to overlap the opening by approximately 3.5". When the screen position is confirmed, mark the upper left grommet position (Position "Q" in window example - Illustration 1).

Illustration 1 - Window Illustration 2 - Grommet/Anchor

Ensure that the hole is drilled correctly as required for your selected anchors. If the hole is not deep

enough or too wide the anchor may pull out under stress. Clear the drilling debris from the hole

and insert the selected anchor. You will repeat this process to set each anchor. Test to ensure each

anchor is securely installed.

Mark a straight line from Anchor Q to the next longest in-line corner point (example "Q" to "P"). This line should maintain equal distance of at least 1.5" from the opening edge for wood framing (2.5" for concrete/hollow block). (you will use this line again later in the process)
Place the upper left grommet of the screen on anchor "Q" - this will act as a hanger and primary reference for marking/installing all other anchors.
Pull the screen corner ("P") taut in appropriate position along the straight line and mark anchor position "P" using the lower left grommet hole of the screen.
Before installing anchor "P" confirm that the screen is still "square" with the window opening � adjust as necessary and install anchor "P".

Note: Grommet holes are larger than the anchor post, so you may wish to position the anchor at the outer edge of the grommet hole to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth appearance. (illustration 2).
Place the lower left grommet on anchor "P".
Make the screen taut and mark corner "R" ensuring that the screen remains square with the opening and corner "S" is appropriately positioned. It should be at a 90 degree angle ("Square") with the line of P/Q.
Install anchor "R".
Place the upper right grommet on anchor "R".
Finally, we will establish corner anchor position "S". Holding the screen taut, mark this anchor position.
Install anchor "S".
Note: this is the final opportunity to install the screen snug to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth appearance.
Install the remaining anchors on the left side aligned with the grommets and on the straight line of PQ.
Install all anchors on the opposite (right) side of the opening. You may prefer to adjust each anchor on this side to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth appearance.

DO NOT SKIP ANY GROMMET HOLES. Properly set anchors are designed to withstand a 1000 lb. load.

SOME HINTS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Note: the anchor must penetrate/engage the anchor structure by at least 1.5" and be no less than a quarter inch in diameter.

Wood Frame Installation: We recommend using a 2.5" PanelMate male or 2.0" female anchor for wood. It is fastened at least 1.5" deep into the building frame stud and it must be at least one quarter inch thick. It also has to be at least 2.5" from the opening edge. You may also wish to consult the code-compliant tables for fasteners at http://www.floridabuilding.org.

Concrete/Hollow Block Installation: We recommend using a 2.5" PanelMate male or 2.0" female anchor for concrete/block. It is fastened at least 1.5" deep into the anchoring structure and should be at least 2.5" from the opening edge. The installer should have determined the anchor substrate during the measuring process You should use the appropriate PanelMate anchor for this substrate. You may also wish to consult the code-compliant tables for fasteners at http://www.floridabuilding.org.

Brick Facing: Brick is considered a veneer on a building. Brick is a weak anchoring medium. It usually has a small gap between it and the solid wall surface behind it. Hence, it is imperative that the installer anchors into the solid structure behind the veneer. We recommend using a 7.5" PanelMate TVAS (Thru Veneer Anchoring System) anchoring screw. You may also wish to consult the code-compliant tables for fasteners at www.floridabuilding.org. At that site, follow the Product Approval link to search for Diamond Screen (approval #FL8472). Click on the link for Installation Details to view the tables related to anchor type and spacing for wood, concrete and hollow concrete block construction.

For further information, please contact Barrier Island Shutters at (877) 898-9463.