Schulze on Hurricane Frames

Formetco standard hurricane frame system

David English of Ad-Trend asked Insider about the pros and cons of hurricane frames.  Here’s what billboard structure expert Matt Schulze of Selective Structures had to say.

Matt, what’s a hurricane frame?

A hurricane frame is a face for a billboard which consist of steel arms which allow the wind to penetrate during a storm or hurricane.  It differs from conventional billboard faces which are solid.  The idea is that vinyl will blow off during a hurricane but a structure will be subject to less stress.

Tiffin panel free frame

What are the advantages of hurricane frames?

  • They are one-half the cost of regular panels.
  • There’s no need to remove head panels prior to a storm.
  • There’s less chance of storm damage.  The vinyl will blow off a hurricane frame and the wind will blow through the frame.  There’s less chance that the monopole or head will bend or come down.

What are the disadvantages to hurricane frames?

  • Vinyl must be black-backed in order to avoid having the sun shine through.
  • Installation can be difficult, particularly on a windy day.  A metal head stops the wind.  The wind blows through a hurricane frame which makes it difficult to strap the vinyl.  Hurricane frames are important on the coast, but many operators in inland areas don’t use them for signs higher than 70 feet.

There’s a patent for a panel-less frame for sale in the Billboard Insider classifieds.

What’s your experience with hurricane frames?  Let insider know using the form below.

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