Is Hurricane Screen Effective When Installed Over Fixed Screen

All types of screen, insect, solar, and hurricane, move in and out to some extent. Fixed insect and solar screens, attached on four sides, will move a few inches when subjected to pressure.

Hurricane screen, however, is attached on three sides with a solid bar at the bottom. It will move, or deflect, much further when subjected to pressure, especially from hurricane-force winds. It is meant to move, or deflect, in and out based on the wind load to which it is subjected. A screen 8 feet wide will move approximately 5 inches under a hurricane-force wind load, while a screen 15 feet wide will move up to 20 inches under the same load.

When placed over a fixed screen in hurricane conditions, the hurricane screen will deflect and severely damage the fixed screen, possibly requiring both screens to be replaced. For that reason, it is recommended that an aluminum shutter is installed over the fixed screen instead of a hurricane screen.