As a Florida resident, your structures must be protected against hurricanes and high winds. Tri-City Bolt & Screw carries the hardware to meet your storm protection needs, including available PanelMate anchor systems stock. Our storm and hurricane fasteners will help you mount your storm panels quickly and securely. We take pride in offering the best quality, code-approved storm fasteners to protect your homes and businesses.
When it comes to outlasting the storm, preparation is critical. Your home is one of the most valuable assets to protect from damage. There are several ways to secure windows and doors, whether you install ready-made hurricane shutters or panels, or simply attach exterior-grade plywood to your structure (which happens to be most frequently done here in Florida). The following are a few options to help you prepare for your security.
Hurricane and Storm Fasteners
PanelMate Anchors
PanelMate anchors, the original ‘direct mounting’ anchoring system, is one of the most cost-effective ways to install hurricane panels to concrete, block, or wood structures for ultimate storm protection. FAST, EASY and RE-USABLE! For concrete and concrete block applications, just drill and drive – it’s that simple! When using wood base materials, predrilling is not required. For optimum performance, full thread engagement is required for concrete, concrete block, and wood base materials. Therefore, stucco-faced surfaces will typically require countersinking so that the top of the installed PanelMate anchors set flush to the stucco surface, allowing for full thread engagement in the base material. Combination bits are available to drill and countersink in one easy operation. Countersinking will also be necessary in unfaced applications where flush, surface mountings are desired.
Concrete and Concrete Block Applications
Using a carbide masonry bit (carbide dimension .231 – .237), contractor grade hammer drill or other appropriate drilling tool, drill holes at marked locations (first having lined up panels against your structure, and premarking the location you choose to make the holes). Countersink for the PanelMate anchor where required or desired, or use a combination bit to perform the drilling and countersinking operation. With the drill in its drill-only mode, drive the PanelMate anchors using a hex drive tool to seat the fastener.
Wood Applications
Countersink where required or desired. Using a hex drive tool, drive PanelMate anchors directly into wood base materials.
The installed PanelMate anchors are now ready for attachment of panels/shutters. Washered wing nuts sized ¼-20 are recommended for attaching to the PanelMate Anchor after the panel is installed.
Removing Your Hurricane Panels
After removing the wing nuts and panels, the PanelMate anchors can be covered with white plastic caps. Therefore, when the next storm comes around, you only need to remove the caps, attach the panels, and secure with wing nuts.
PanelMate Inserts are also available, used with 1/4-20 stainless steel sidewalk bolts, and no special countersinking tool is required. They are available in two lengths: 2-1/8″ for applications with a stucco exterior, and 1-7/16 for applications without a stucco exterior. Countersinking head styles seat flush in stucco and similar materials, which prevent gaps and voids around the head.
PanelMate anchors are available in carbon steel with a Stalgard finish and have been tested to Miami-Dade hurricane standards. (NOTE: Stainless Steel PanelMates have been discontinued by the manufacturer.)
As is the case with all applications, we can only suggest typical fasteners for typical applications and that the connection design is the sole responsibility of the Building Design Engineer, Architect or otherwise responsible person charged with the design of the connection. For further product information, please refer to the individual spec sheets for each PanelMate anchor design. To view these technical pages, please visit https://anchors.dewalt.com/anchors/products/screw-fasteners/building-protection-systems/panelmate/ for complete manufacturers data.
Emergency Hurricane Information
For Updated Storm and Emergency Information in Florida Click Here
FEMA
National Weather Service
National Hurricane Center
Contact us at Tri City Bolt & Screw in Pinellas Park, FL to learn more about the selection of anchors, fasteners, and more. Let us help keep your structures safe against even the toughest winds. Give us a call or email us at 727-546-4411 or sales2@tricitybolt.com.
