By Kent Taylor, Co-Owner & Lead Screen Specialist, Cheetah Screens | Jacksonville, Florida
Every June, the same question starts coming in: “A storm’s coming, do I leave my screens down or roll them up?” It’s a good question, and the honest answer is that it depends entirely on what you bought, because not every motorized screen or awning is built for the same job.
Hurricane season runs June through November here, and Northeast Florida sits right in the path. So let me clear up the confusion about wind, because getting this wrong is how people end up with a torn screen, a bent awning arm, or worse, damage to the house the system was bolted to.
First, know which product you actually have
This is the single most important thing in the whole article. There’s a big difference between a comfort screen and a hurricane-rated screen, and they are not interchangeable.
A standard motorized retractable screen is built for bugs, shade, and rain on a normal day. It makes your lanai more comfortable. It is not engineered to stay down in tropical-storm-force winds. If your screen came with a comfort or shade spec sheet and doesn’t mention a wind rating, assume it needs to come up before sustained winds reach the tropical storm threshold, generally around 39 mph.
A hurricane-rated motorized screen is a different product category. These systems use heavier fabric, reinforced zip tracks, and motors and housings designed to take sustained wind loads. If you have one, the product documentation will include a wind speed rating, and you can leave it down up to that rating. Above that, you still retract.
What about motorized awnings in a storm?
Retract them. This is not a close call. Awnings are designed for shade and light rain. The arm structure that extends the fabric is not engineered for hurricane or even strong tropical storm conditions. A retracted awning housing can survive a significant storm with no damage. An extended awning in 60 mph gusts frequently doesn’t, and a torn or bent arm can pull the mounting hardware out of the wall with it.
Most quality motorized awnings have a wind sensor that will retract the awning automatically when wind speeds exceed a set threshold, usually around 27 mph. That sensor is an excellent investment in Northeast Florida. It means you don’t have to remember to retract before a fast-moving storm.
Wind sensors: what they do and what they don’t do
A wind sensor measures instantaneous gusts and retracts when the threshold is crossed. They’re reliable for protecting against the typical summer thunderstorm that blows in fast. They have two limitations worth knowing.
First, they measure wind at the sensor location, which may not perfectly reflect gusts at the awning. Second, if the power goes out, a standard motorized awning can’t retract. Before a named storm, manually retract everything regardless of what the sensor shows, and do it before the power becomes uncertain.
Pre-storm checklist for Northeast Florida homeowners
- Retract all standard comfort screens before sustained winds reach tropical storm force (39 mph)
- Retract all awnings before sustained winds reach 27–30 mph, or trust your wind sensor for normal storms
- Manually retract everything before a named storm, before the power becomes uncertain
- After the storm, rinse all screens and tracks — wind drives more salt inland in a few hours than normal weather does in weeks
- Inspect tracks and mounting hardware for any movement or separation before operating the system again
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave my motorized screens down during a tropical storm?
Only if your screens are specifically rated for those wind speeds. Standard comfort screens should be retracted before sustained winds reach tropical storm force. Check your product documentation for your specific wind rating.
What wind speed should I retract my awning at?
Most motorized awnings should be retracted by 27–30 mph sustained winds. A wind sensor automates this. Before any named storm, retract manually before the storm arrives regardless of current conditions.
Are any motorized screens hurricane-rated?
Yes, but they’re a specific product category with heavier fabric and reinforced tracks. Not all screens marketed as “storm screens” carry the same certification. Ask for the wind speed rating documentation before assuming a screen is hurricane-rated.
Questions about protecting your screens or awnings during storm season? Get in touch — I’m always glad to help. — Kent