Protecting your home in hurricane season has always been a fact of life in Bermuda.
But as storm awareness increases – and technology becomes more advanced – many of us have stepped up our game in recent years.
Jonathan Gaugain, the owner of J&S Home, which makes and sells shutters, said: “People are calling ahead of time, in the off season, so they’re ready for hurricane season.
“Some people are even buying storm shutters for their whole house. They want to close it all up, perhaps putting the shutters on the entire south side of their home, or maybe on their whole second level instead of closing a traditional shutter.”
The long-running family business in Elliott Street West, Hamilton, is Bermuda’s first and only manufacturer of motorised shades, vertical blinds, roller shades and exterior storm shutters.
The company makes its own hurricane roller shutters, whether manually controlled or motorised, from its in-stock inventory.
Mr Gaugain, who also owns JAG Construction, said: “We buy the raw materials direct from a factory in the United States and assemble the storm shutters here in Bermuda. Other companies get the shutters assembled away and it adds cost.
“We can also do it way faster. You can get the storm shutters from us in two to four weeks from the time of ordering, depending on our workload.
“That quick turnaround time is our biggest advantage – and we are offering the same product at a lower price. So, we have an advantage in two areas over everybody else.”
J&S also offers traditional-style aluminium colonial shutters, awning shutters and clear hurricane panels. While the roller storm shutters are Category 4 hurricane-rated, the storm panels are not.
“Those clear panels are nice and they work, and we can supply them if an owner wants them. Unlike the roller shutters, though, you have to have somewhere to store them. For convenience, security and privacy reasons, the roller storm shutter is probably best.”
J&S also offers storm protection services, an annual check-up that ensures that storm shutters are ready to provide protection when the time comes. As the shutters are manufactured here, J&S Home has a vast inventory of spare parts should the need arise.
Mr Gaugain said: “It’s best if you’re proactive about taking care of your storm shutters. We can come out, oil them, and make sure nothing’s broken. That way, when a storm does come, you’re ready to go.”
Evolving with the times
Innovation has been the driving force behind J&S Home for seven decades.
Starting out as a carpentry shop in Royal Naval Dockyard in 1950 as Jeffery and Sons, the company progressed through several iterations and locations – a hardware store on Front Street in Hamilton, a dry cleaners in North Hamilton, and a move to Shelly Bay during the 1960s which saw it become the custom blind manufacturer and retail store that continues today.
In 1991, David Jeffery – the third generation of the family to run the business – took over management before purchasing Jeffery and Sons outright. He introduced custom roller shades and exterior storm shutters to the company’s manufacturing line.
Mr Jeffery died in 2010, and the company has since undergone a transition to a more modern business, sporting a 500-square-foot showroom and new product lines including fibreglass pergolas and custom closets.
Four years ago, the company made one more move from rented space on Cemetery Road in Pembroke to its own premises at Elliott Street West.
Now rebranded as J&S Home, the company’s three staff operate from a sensitively restored historic cottage located just steps from the eastern entrance to Bull’s Head Car Park.
The book, Hamilton Town and City, part of the Bermuda National Trust’s architectural heritage series, says the building was built by merchant and Mayor of Hamilton, William Thomas James, who owned the property in the mid-1800s.
Mr Gaugain, who is the stepson of Mr Jeffrey, bought the building about five years ago from businessman Kenneth DeFontes.
In addition to housing a modern showroom, the building features a 1,200-square-foot manufacturing and storage space.
Blinds, shades, pergolas
Aside from storm protection products, the company’s vertical blinds, which have been a best-seller for 30 years, and roller shades, have proven particularly popular with both residential and commercial property owners.
“We were probably the leading supplier of vertical blinds in the commercial sector for many, many years. We’ve done jobs like HSBC and Bank of Butterfield. We did the entire Butterfield building with verticals. We’ve always had a good product. They’re practical, affordable and durable, and we have provided good service.
“The same goes for the roller shades. They’re really durable, and you can easily clean them. We’ve done a lot of them in the hospital because they have anti-fungal and bacterial ratings. Roller shades have become our biggest seller.”
Of the company’s new product line of fibreglass pergolas, Mr Gaugain said: “Being made of fibreglass, the pergolas are like a boat. They keep their colour, require no maintenance, and are strong and attractive.”
Protect your home
RG Hurricane top tips
- Check for damage all-year-round, not just in hurricane season. Fix problems as soon as you spot them.
- Maintain roofs and gutters. Get a professional to look for cracks and seal them to prevent leaks.
- Block rainwater drains to prevent debris getting into your tank.
- Ensure doors and windows are locked. If they don’t lock properly, secure with a screw.
- Secure outdoor items so they don’t become projectiles.
- If you don’t have shutters, board your windows and doors with material at least half-an-inch thick. Drill them into place, but do not drill directly into the glass frame.
- Secure gas tubes and cylinders by anchoring them upright to a rigid structure using straps or chains.
