South Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. That’s six months where any homeowner without a real storm protection plan is rolling the dice on their windows, doors, and outdoor living spaces. Plywood gets you through one storm. Aluminum shutters are a hassle you have to repeat every single year. Impact windows are effective, but the cost puts them out of reach for most budgets.

Roll-down hurricane screens are the alternative that checks every box: they’re rated for the HVHZ, deploy in seconds, look good when they’re not in use, and hold up season after season.

Awning Stars installs hurricane screens across Palm Beach and Broward counties. We’re an authorized dealer for Atlas Armor and Progressive Screens, both of which carry Miami-Dade County approval and are rated for use in Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), the strictest building standard in the country.

What Hurricane Screens Actually Do

A hurricane screen is a roll-down fabric system installed over windows, doors, lanais, and open patio areas. When a storm is approaching, the screen deploys, either manually or with a motorized system, and creates a tensioned barrier between your home and the storm.

That barrier does several things at once. It stops wind-driven debris, which is responsible for the majority of structural damage during a hurricane. It deflects wind pressure away from your glazing. And unlike solid shutters, the open mesh weave allows some airflow and lets in enough light that your home doesn’t feel sealed up during a watch or warning.

When the storm passes, the screen rolls back up and disappears into its housing. Your home looks exactly the same as it did before.

What they’re rated for: Both Atlas Armor and Progressive Screens are tested to withstand wind speeds in excess of 155 mph and carry Miami-Dade NOA certification. Atlas Armor holds the distinction of being the only roll-down fabric system approved for use specifically within the HVHZ.

Atlas Armor vs. Progressive Screens

We carry both because they serve different needs.

Atlas Armor is built for maximum structural performance. The frame system is engineered aluminum, the fabric is high-tensile mesh, and the whole assembly is designed around one priority: holding up under the worst conditions South Florida can produce. It’s the right choice for homeowners who want the most protection their budget can buy and aren’t prioritizing aesthetics above all else.

Progressive Screens give you more flexibility. The system is available in more configurations, is well-suited to larger openings like full lanais and pool enclosures, and the fabric options include choices that work well for everyday use, not just storm season. If you want a system that functions as both a screen enclosure and a hurricane barrier, Progressive is worth a close look.

Both carry HVHZ approval. Both are installed by Awning Stars’ own crews. The right choice depends on your home’s configuration, your budget, and how you want to use the system day-to-day.

The HVHZ and Why It Matters for Your Installation

Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and sets the strictest building product standards in the United States. Products approved under the HVHZ have been tested to a higher standard than the rest of the country, including the rest of Florida.

If you’re in Broward County, HVHZ approval isn’t optional. Products that don’t carry NOA certification from Miami-Dade cannot be permitted for hurricane protection in your county.

If you’re in Palm Beach County, the standards are still strict. Palm Beach operates under the Florida Building Code, which requires products to meet impact and wind resistance thresholds. HVHZ-rated products exceed those thresholds, which is one reason we recommend them across our entire service area, not just south of the county line.

When we pull permits for your installation, the product’s NOA number goes on the paperwork. That matters for your homeowner’s insurance, for your home’s resale value, and for your peace of mind that the work was done correctly.

Motorized vs. Manual Systems

Motorized hurricane screens use a tubular motor mounted inside the roll housing. You deploy and retract the screen with a wall switch, a remote, or through a smart home system. Some motors integrate with weather sensors that can trigger automatic deployment when wind speeds hit a set threshold. For large openings, second-story windows, or homeowners who want to be able to close everything up fast, motorized is the right choice.

Manual hurricane screens use a hand-crank or pull-strap system. They’re more straightforward mechanically, easier to service, and cost less upfront. For smaller openings or homeowners who want a simpler system, manual performs just as well when it comes to storm protection.

Both options use the same HVHZ-rated fabric and frame systems. The motor is a convenience upgrade, not a performance one.

When to Install Before Hurricane Season

The short answer: before June 1.

Lead times for custom hurricane screen fabrication and installation typically run three to five weeks during the off-season. Once May hits, every screen company in South Florida is backed up. Homeowners who wait until a named storm is in the Gulf are looking at weeks-long delays, or no availability at all.

The other reason to install early is inspection scheduling. After installation, your system needs to pass a building inspection before it’s permitted. That inspection gets booked out weeks during peak season. If a storm arrives before your inspection clears, your permit is still open and your system may not be covered by your insurer.

The right window to get your installation done is January through April. We do full installations year-round, but if you want the smoothest experience and the most flexibility on scheduling, that’s when to call.

Service Areas

Awning Stars installs hurricane screens across two counties:

Palm Beach County: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Highland Beach, Manalapan, Palm Beach, Lighthouse Point, and surrounding communities.

Broward County: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Davie, Dania Beach, Plantation, Parkland, Southwest Ranches, and surrounding communities.

Not sure if we cover your area? Call the number for your county above or use the quote form and we’ll confirm.

Get a Quote

Every home is different. Screen size, number of openings, motorized vs. manual, and the specific configuration of your windows and doors all factor into the project. We do on-site consultations, take measurements, and put together a written quote before any work begins.

Contact us through the form on this page or call the number for your county. We serve Palm Beach and Broward counties year-round.