FLEXIBLE COMPOSITE HURRICANE PROTECTION APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

A flexible hurricane shutter is provided. A composite laminate material is constructed using layers of high elastic modulus fibers or fiber bundles. The material also can be coated with a membrane on one or both sides to improve the elastic strength and wind- and water-resistance of the material to provide further protection. The fibers or fiber bundles also can be encased in a coating to prevent the fiber or fiber bundles from fraying, to prevent corrosion on metallic fibers, or to provide additional strength or flexibility to the material. The flexible hurricane shutter can be adapted to be secured directly to an exterior feature of a structure to cover an opening in the structure such as a window. Alternatively, the flexible hurricane shutter can be adapted to be secured to an extrusion extending from the exterior of a structure, either directly or by means of a keder and keder track.