The Sunshine Coast is well-known for its beautiful beaches and stunning coastal views. However, it also experiences harsh weather conditions from time to time.
If you live on the Sunshine Coast, you need to make sure that your balcony shutters are up to standard to protect your property from heavy wind and rain even in the poorest conditions.
Cyclone ratings reflect a building’s ability to withstand winds of specific speeds or higher. The Queensland Government states that all newly-built Australian homes must have a wind classification, or the building engineer must calculate wind pressures.
Find out more below about why cyclone rating is crucial for your external aluminium shutters and how to ensure that you choose to install the right balcony shutters for your Sunshine Coast property.
What are the features of cyclone rated balcony shutters?
Balcony shutters are designed to cover the opening on a balcony. They’re usually made from aluminium and can be either manual or automated. Balconies and other exterior spaces are very exposed and require louvred shutters that won’t only survive bad weather, but will also provide a certain level of protection for inside your property as well.
Material is the first thing to consider when looking for a new balcony shutter. There are many options to choose from, but it’s important to ensure the material you choose can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
Looking for cyclone-rated balcony shutters is the best way to ensure your investment is worthwhile and will reduce damage risk during a storm.
The BOM rates cyclones on a scale of one to five, with category one being the weakest and category five being the strongest. It bases these ratings on wind speed, which the Bureau measures in kilometres per hour.
Your area’s cyclone rating will affect how the government applies Building Code of Australia (BCA) regulations to your property. Cyclone-rated shutters must be strong enough to withstand cyclone ratings in your region.
What’s the difference between cyclone-rated and standard shutters?
The main difference between cyclone-rated and standard shutters involves wind resistance. Cyclone-rated balcony shutters are more resistant to high-speed winds and storm conditions, reducing damage risk in the event of a cyclone.
How do cyclone-rated shutters achieve this rating? Well, compared to standard shutters, they feature:
• More resilient and longer-lasting materials
• Stronger fixings to withstand greater stress
• Extra resistance to splitting and snapping
Manufacturers of cyclone-rated aluminium shutters stringently test them under harsh conditions, ensuring they are able to handle harsh weather for a prolonged period.
How to tell if your balcony shutters are cyclone rated?
Most manufacturers and sellers will state whether or not their shutters are cyclone-rated on their website. If you’re unsure, you can always contact the company to check if their shutters are compliant with the AS1170.2 and AS2047 building standards.
AS2047 is a mandatory minimum specification for external glazed doors and windows in Australia. To meet this standard, products must undergo tests to ensure they can withstand high wind load, open and close without excess effort, resist water damage, and provide acoustic and energy efficiency.
The AS1170.2 standard is all about determining wind speeds and how to design structures to resist wind actions.
Choosing the best cyclone-rated balcony shutters on the Sunshine Coast for your home is easy when you consult an expert for help and advice.
Our friendly team is always here to help with any questions you may have. So please call us on 07 5438 1010 or contact us online today to arrange a quote or find out more about choosing the right balcony shutters for your property.
