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Your Hurricane Season Checklist for Windows and Shutters
June 1 comes around every year, and every year the homeowners who are prepared for storm season are the ones who started in May (or earlier). This hurricane season checklist is designed to help you walk through your home systematically to check your shutters and windows, so you can find anything that needs attention before demand picks up, schedules get tight, and storms hit the forecast.
Work through your home room by room. Flag anything that needs a follow-up. The goal is to go into storm season knowing exactly where you stand.
At LAS, we've been helping Gulf South homeowners like you get ready for hurricane season since the 1950s. Our team is glad to help with anything this checklist turns up for your windows and shutters. Request a free estimate any time.
Before your hurricane season checklist begins, pull these together so you're not stopping and starting. A focused 90-minute walkthrough is more useful than a rushed one.
A notepad or phone to log issues as you find them
A flashlight for checking seals and corners up close
A step stool for upper sash inspection on taller windows
A damp cloth for cleaning shutter tracks and hardware
Part 1: Window inspection checklist
Your windows take a beating in the Gulf South year-round, and the damage isn't always obvious. A failed seal or a hairline crack in your glass can look fine from across the room, but cause real problems when wind-driven rain finds them. Go room by room and get close to each window. During your hurricane season checklist review, you're looking for the kind of wear that a quick glance won't catch.
Glass and seals
Look for any chips, cracks, or scratches in the glass, as even hairline cracks matter under wind pressure
Hold your hand near the edge of each window on a warm day — you should feel no air movement when it's closed
Look for water staining on sills or surrounding trim, which points to an existing leak
Frames and hardware
Inspect vinyl frames for warping, bowing, or separation at the corners
Check that all locks and latches engage firmly, as a window that doesn't latch securely can fail under wind pressure
Test every operable window: open and close fully, and confirm it moves smoothly with no binding
Inspect the caulk line around the exterior perimeter of each window and note any gaps, cracks, or missing sections that need resealing before storm season
Screens
Check window screens for tears or missing sections, as a damaged screen won't stop debris and can direct it into the glass
Confirm screen frames seat securely and don't rattle or lift when you press on them
Flag for follow-up: Any window where you found cracked glass, a failed seal, binding operation, or gaps in caulk. These are the windows to prioritize before June. Read our full post on hurricane-proofing your windows for more information.
Part 2: Shutter inspection and testing checklist
Shutters that sit idle through a mild season can develop corrosion, stiffness, or mechanical problems that only show up when you go to close them with a storm 48 hours out. Work through every shutter on your home prior to hurricane season.
Open and close each shutter through its full range of motion
Check all hinge pins and hardware for corrosion (Focus on threaded bolts, bolts used in operation of your product can seize if left untouched for years on end. It is good practice to operate all bolts yearly.)
Confirm all mounting hardware is tight against the home by grabbing each shutter and applying light pressure; it should not flex or rock
For Bahama shutters, check the prop arms and confirm they hold the shutter at the correct angle
Look for any dented slats or louvers that need replacement
Locate and inventory every panel, and confirm you have a complete set for each opening
Check that panels are labeled or that you have a clear map of which panel fits which opening
Inspect panels for bends, cracks, or corrosion that would compromise the fit or seal
Confirm all mounting hardware (clips, bolts, tracks) is present, clean, and undamaged
Do a dry-run installation on at least one opening to confirm fit and that you have the right tools on hand
Flag for follow-up: Any shutter that doesn't complete its full range of motion, shows significant corrosion on structural hardware, or has mounting points that have worked loose from the home.
Part 3: Audit your coverage
This section asks you to step back and look at the full picture — every opening on the outside of your home — and honestly assess whether each one has reliable protection. Big glass doors, upper-story windows, and side entries are the spots that tend to get missed.
Windows
Every window either has a functioning shutter, storm panel coverage, or is impact-rated glass
No windows are relying on tape, plywood improvisation, or unanchored coverings as a primary plan
Upper-story windows have been accounted for (these are easy to overlook during a walkthrough)
Doors
Entry doors have a storm door, rated door, or shutter coverage
Sliding glass doors have accordion shutters, storm panels, or another rated covering, as sliding glass doors represent a large, vulnerable opening
French doors and side-entry doors are included in your storm protection plan
Garage and large openings
Garage doors are either hurricane-rated or have a reinforcement kit installed, since garage door failure is one of the most common causes of structural damage during storms
Large fixed windows or picture windows have coverage that can be deployed when needed
Flag for follow-up: Any opening without a reliable protection plan. Prioritize largest openings and glass doors first.
Part 4: Check your ratings
Homeowners are often surprised to discover their windows or shutters aren't rated to the level they expected, or that they have no documentation to confirm it either way. Better to find that out now. Check your documentation about the following.
I know whether my windows are standard vinyl, wind-rated, or impact-rated
I know my home's wind zone and what ratings are required or recommended for my area
I have documentation or labeling on my windows that confirms their rating — if not, I've flagged this to find out
If you're not sure what your windows or shutters are rated for, our team can assess them during a free estimate and help you figure it out.
Part 5: Hurricane deployment plan checklist
Having shutters isn't the same as being ready to use them. A lot of the stress that comes with a fast-moving storm comes down to not knowing exactly what needs to happen or how long it will take. Walking through your deployment plan before June means you're not figuring it out for the first time when it matters most.
Every adult in the household knows how to operate each shutter type in the home
Storm panel locations are documented and everyone knows where they're stored and which panel fits which opening
You have an accurate estimate of how long it takes to fully close up your home, and it's factored into your storm plan
Tools needed for storm panel installation are accessible and not buried in storage
This is the step most homeowners put off longest, and the one that has the most practical consequences. Installation lead times are real for window and shutter companies. By May, schedules are still flexible. By late July, they're not.
If this checklist turned up anything that needs attention, now is the time to act on it.
Any windows flagged have a plan to repair, replace, or upgrade
Any shutters flagged have a service call scheduled
Any unprotected openings have an estimate on the calendar before June
If you've been considering a larger upgrade, such as impact windows, new roll-down shutters, or whole-home shutter coverage, a free estimate is scheduled
Ready to check something off the list?
If your hurricane season checklist turned up windows that need replacing, shutters that need service, or openings that still don't have coverage, our team is here to help. LAS has been manufacturing and installing windows and shutters in the Gulf South since the 1950s. We know what hurricane season means, and we build for it.
Getting an estimate from LAS is free, and there's no obligation attached. Our team will come out, assess your windows and shutters, and walk you through exactly what we'd recommend and why. If something can wait, we'll tell you that too. With hurricane season just around the corner, there's no better time to get a clear picture of where your home stands.
FAQs about hurricane prep for windows and shutters
How do I know if my windows need to be replaced before hurricane season? ▾
Cracked or chipped glass, fogging between panes, frames that flex or feel soft, and gaps in the caulk line are all signs that a window isn't performing the way it should. If you found multiple issues on the same window, replacement is usually the more practical path than repeated repairs. If you're not sure, the LAS team can assess your windows during a free estimate and give you an honest recommendation.
My shutters look fine. Do I still need to test them? ▾
Yes. Shutters that look fine from a distance can have corroded hinge pins, stiff tracks, or motorized components that haven't been cycled in a year or more. The only way to know your shutters will actually work when a storm is 48 hours out is to run them through a full cycle now, while there's time to address anything that comes up.
What if I have some coverage but not complete coverage across my home? ▾
Partial coverage is common, and it's better than none. The priority is to identify which openings are unprotected and work from the most vulnerable ones first. Large glass doors, picture windows, and wide front-facing windows tend to matter most. LAS can help you build a phased plan if full coverage isn't in the budget right now.
Do I need shutters if I already have impact-rated windows? ▾
Not necessarily. Impact-rated windows are designed to stay intact under wind pressure and debris impact without additional covering. That said, some homeowners with impact windows still choose to add shutters for certain openings, particularly large glass doors or picture windows where they want a second layer of protection. If you're not sure whether your windows are actually impact-rated, that's worth confirming before you rely on it.
Are double pane windows hurricane proof? ▾
No. Standard double pane windows are not impact-rated and will not hold up to hurricane-force winds or debris. Impact-rated windows use laminated glass and a reinforced frame system specifically engineered for that kind of pressure. If your double pane windows don't carry an impact certification, they are not hurricane protection.
What's the fastest shutter to close when a storm is approaching? ▾
Motorized roll-down shutters are the quickest — a single switch or remote closes them fully in seconds. Storm panels take the most time since each panel has to be retrieved, fitted, and secured individually. If deployment speed is a priority for your household, this comparison of hurricane shutter types covers the tradeoffs in more detail.
How do I find out what my windows and shutters are rated for? ▾
Impact-rated windows typically have certification labels on the glass or frame that include product approval numbers. For shutters, installation documentation should include rating information.
What should I do if I find something that needs attention during my checklist walkthrough? ▾
Note it, prioritize it, and schedule it. Minor issues like worn caulk can often be addressed as a quick repair. Bigger items — cracked glass, shutters that don't close properly, unprotected large openings — are worth getting a professional opinion on before the season starts. Contact LAS for a free estimate and we'll help you figure out what to prioritize.
Richard Maia is the Chief Executive Officer of LAS, one of the Gulf South's leading window and shutter manufacturers. A structural engineering graduate of Louisiana State University and a lifelong South Louisiana native, Richard grew up around LAS and spent summers working the floor before eventually leading the company. His engineering background shapes everything about how LAS operates: products are designed from first principles, not convention, and engineered specifically for the heat, humidity, and storm demands of the regional climate.
Under his leadership, LAS has pursued deep vertical integration by investing in in-house manufacturing capabilities to maintain tighter control over quality, sourcing, and timelines. A graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Richard brings both technical rigor and genuine local roots to a company he has built around one straightforward belief: that a lifetime warranty only means something if the company is still around to honor it.
