Choosing the right hurricane shutter hardware is the first step in protecting your home from storm-force winds. The proper bolts, screws, anchors, washers, and nuts ensure that your shutters stay securely attached under extreme pressure. Additionally, you’ll need to select hardware that is corrosion-resistant and meets local codes.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
Hardware Function: From load-bearing bolts to self-tapping screws and masonry anchors.
How to Choose Based on Shutter Style and Substrate: Accordion, colonial, panel, Bahama, and roll-down systems mounted to wood, metal, or masonry.
Key Decision Factors: Sizing guidelines, finish options for coastal vs. inland use, and required tools and torque specs.
Environmental and Regulatory Considerations: Salt-spray ratings, ICC-ES approvals, and insurance-credit opportunities.
Use this article as your one-stop reference: jump to the hardware type you need, compare specs at a glance, and get the confidence to select and install every fastener correctly, long before the storm hits.
While bolts are central to holding shutter systems in place, they’re only one piece of the hardware puzzle. A secure, code-compliant installation depends on a variety of fasteners, each tailored to the materials and forces at play, from surface-mounted panels to bracketed track systems anchored deep into concrete.
To help you compare key specs and uses at a glance, the table below outlines the most common fasteners used to secure hurricane shutters, from surface-mounted panels to heavy-duty anchor points.
|
Hurricane Hardware Type |
Primary Use |
Tool Required |
Shutter Compatibility |
|
Sidewalk Bolt |
Fastening shutters to masonry with a flush finish |
Flathead screwdriver or driver bit |
Panel, Accordion, Roll-Down |
|
Washered Wing Nut |
Tool-free fastening of panels or brackets; reusable |
None (hand-tightened) |
Accordion, Colonial, Panel |
|
Truss Head Combo Machine Screw |
Securing brackets or tracks to threaded inserts or nuts |
Flathead or Phillips screwdriver/bit |
Accordion, Colonial, Panel, Bahama, Roll-Down |
|
Concrete Screw |
Direct fastening into concrete/block without expansion |
Drill/driver (plus masonry bit for pilot hole) |
Accordion, Colonial, Panel, Bahama, Roll-Down |
|
Wedge Anchor |
Heavy-duty anchoring into solid concrete using expansion |
Hammer drill + socket wrench |
All shutter styles |
After reviewing the chart, continue below for an in-depth look at each fastener, including sizing guidelines, material options, compatible shutter types, and installation tips.
Sidewalk bolts are flat-headed, low-profile stainless or galvanized bolts designed to fasten hurricane shutters to masonry surfaces without sticking up above the surface. Here’s a breakdown of their core specifications:
Sizing: Most sidewalk bolts are ¼″ to 5/16″ in diameter with varying lengths (typically 1″–2″), depending on wall thickness and anchor depth.
Finishes: Stainless steel (often 316) or zinc-plated steel are common; use 316 SS for high-salt coastal areas.
Hurricane Shutter Compatibility: Used with pre-installed anchors (like drop-in or machine screw anchors) to secure panel, accordion, or roll-down shutters.
Installation Tools: Insert into pre-drilled and anchored holes using a flathead screwdriver or driver bit; can be removed and reinstalled as needed.
Washered wing nuts combine the ease of tool-free tightening with a built-in washer base that spreads clamping force and protects mounting surfaces. In hurricane shutter assemblies, the integrated washer helps prevent the nut from digging into softer materials like aluminum and ensures a more stable, even hold.
Next, let’s break down the key factors that make washered wing nuts a trusted option for shutter installations:
Design: The integrated washer flange is fixed beneath the nut’s wings, eliminating the need for a separate flat washer. It distributes pressure evenly across the surface to prevent pull-through or deformation of the shutter panel.
Thread Size: Washered wing nuts are most commonly found in ¼″-20 thread size for compatibility with standard shutter bolts, hanger bolts, and threaded studs.
Material Options: Choose 18-8 or 304 stainless steel for strong corrosion resistance in outdoor conditions. For coastal zones with high salt exposure, opt for 316 stainless steel when available. Zinc-plated options are best suited for dry, non-coastal environments.
Shutter Compatibility: Washered wing nuts are widely used with Accordion, Colonial, and Panel shutters, especially where seasonal installation and removal are required. Their tool-free operation allows for fast storm prep and takedown.
Truss head combo machine screws feature a wide, slightly domed head and a dual slotted/Phillips drive, offering both a clean finish and flexible installation options. In hurricane shutter systems, they’re commonly used to fasten shutter tracks or brackets to pre-threaded inserts or paired with nuts for a secure hold.
Let’s look at the key specifications to help you select the right truss head combo machine screw for your application:
Head & Drive: The low-profile truss head provides broad surface coverage, reducing the risk of pull-through or damage to softer materials. The combo drive accepts either a flathead or Phillips screwdriver for easier installation in the field.
Thread Size & Length: Most truss head combo screws used in shutter installations are ¼″-20, with lengths ranging from ¾″ to 2″ depending on bracket stack and hardware configuration.
Material Options: Use 304 stainless steel for reliable corrosion resistance in outdoor conditions, or upgrade to 316 stainless for marine and high-salt environments. Zinc-plated versions are available for indoor or low-exposure use.
Shutter Compatibility: These screws are suitable for Accordion, Colonial, Panel, Bahama, and Roll-Down shutters when paired with compatible nuts or threaded inserts.
Concrete screws are single-piece, hardened-steel fasteners with sharp, high-depth threads designed to tap into pre-drilled holes in concrete or solid block. They don’t rely on expansion sleeves; instead, the threads bite directly into the substrate for pull-out resistance.
This one-step drill-and-drive installation is especially useful for medium-duty applications like guide channels and end-stop brackets, where speed and ease of retrofit work are priorities. Let’s break down the essential dimensions, finishes, and tools for concrete screws:
Sizing: Standard sizes are 3⁄16″ × 1″ for light-duty applications and ¼″ × 1¾″ for medium-duty brackets. Ensure at least 1″ of thread engagement in the substrate.
Finishes: Blue-coated hardened steel is common; choose stainless-steel versions for enhanced corrosion resistance.
Hurricane Shutter Compatibility: Ideal for securing guide channels, end-stop brackets, and light jamb attachments on accordion, colonial, panel, and roll-down shutters in concrete or solid block.
Installation Tools: Use a hammer drill with the matching masonry bit, drive the screw directly with a drill/driver.
Related: How To Board Up Windows For Hurricane Season
A wedge anchor is a two-piece expansion fastener designed for heavy-duty loads in solid concrete or block. Once you drill a through-hole and insert the anchor, tightening the nut pulls the tapered wedge up into the sleeve, forcing it to flare outward and lock securely against the substrate walls. This expansion mechanism delivers exceptional shear and tensile strength for mounting header tracks and jamb brackets that must withstand hurricane-force wind loads.
Here’s what you need to know about wedge anchor sizing, finish, compatibility, and installation:
Sizing: Choose a diameter of ⅜″ for medium header loads or ½″ for primary header and jamb brackets. Embed at least 10× the anchor’s diameter into the concrete (e.g., ½″ × 5″ embedment for a ½″ anchor).
Finishes: Hot-dip galvanized carbon steel provides balanced corrosion resistance; upgrade to 316 SS for coastal applications. Zinc wedge anchors that meet Miami-Dade County building code requirements are also available for code-compliant hurricane shutter installations.
Hurricane Shutter Compatibility: Wedge anchors are ideal for mounting header tracks and jamb brackets on all shutter styles, accordion, colonial, panel, Bahama, and roll-down.
Installation Tools: Use a hammer drill with the correctly sized carbide masonry bit, blow out the hole, insert the anchor, then tighten the nut with a socket wrench to expand the sleeve.
Your choice of hurricane-shutter hardware must account for local climate and regulatory requirements to ensure long-term performance and code compliance. From salt-air corrosion to high-velocity hurricane zones, these factors will dictate which materials, finishes, and approvals you need.
Here are some of the key environmental and regional factors that should guide your hardware choice:
Coastal vs. Inland: Homes within roughly five miles of the shoreline face salt-laden air that accelerates corrosion; inland locations experience far lower corrosive stress.
Material & Finish Choices: For coastal installations, specify 316 stainless steel exclusively. In buffer zones, hot-dip galvanized finishes balance cost and protection, while zinc-plated hardware is acceptable only for fully sheltered, inland applications.
ASTM B117 Salt-Spray Rating Basics: This standardized test measures corrosion resistance by exposing samples to a salt-fog chamber; higher “hours to failure” indicate better durability in marine environments.
Building Codes & Approvals: Many jurisdictions require ICC-ES evaluation reports or Miami-Dade HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone) listings to validate that your hardware meets local wind-load standards.
Permit Documentation Tips: Always include manufacturer cut sheets, ICC-ES report numbers, and installation instructions with your permit application to avoid delays.
Insurance & Rebates: Installing code-approved, tested hardware can qualify homeowners for insurance premium credits or rebate programs. Verify offerings with your insurer before purchase.
We appreciate you taking the time to explore our hurricane shutter hardware guide. At The Fastener Depot, we’re a hands-on, family-owned team dedicated to bringing you industry-tested fasteners that stand up to the toughest storms.
Have questions about fit, finish, or code requirements? Reach out to our team for personalized support and fast, friendly service. When you’re ready, browse our full selection of hurricane hardware.
Hurricane bolts are flat-headed, low-profile bolts designed to fasten shutter brackets to masonry via pre-set anchors, keeping panels flush and secure under high winds.
Drill the correctly sized hole, clean out debris, insert the anchor (wedge or sleeve), and tighten the bolt or nut to expand the anchor against the substrate.
Align the shutter bracket, pre-drill or tap the hole, then drive the appropriate screw (sheet-metal, concrete, or lag) through the bracket into the substrate until fully seated with the recommended torque.
A hurricane screw typically refers to a concrete or sidewalk screw that taps into drilled holes in concrete or block to secure shutter hardware without an expansion sleeve.
Yes, for medium-duty applications like guide channels or light brackets. However, for primary header or high-load mounts, expansion anchors (wedge or sleeve) are recommended and shouldn’t be skipped.
Inspect all fasteners at least once a year and after any major storm. Look out for corrosion, loosening, or damage.
