Exeter was founded by the principals of Diamond Manufacturing Company - Perforated Metal Specialists. Diamond, started in 1915, is North America’s largest producer of perforated metals. Exeter’s initial product, CRIME SHIELD Security Barriers, was the first product in the industry to incorporate the use of heavy duty perforated metal combined with specially designed reinforced extruded aluminum framing, hinges, and quick release locking mechanisms. CRIME SHIELD’s patented design was awarded a silver medal by the Industrial Design Society of America and Business Week magazine for being one of “The Best New Products In America, 1992.” The strong “see thru” barrier with emergency egress capabilities became the product of choice among colleges, universities, inner-city schools, and housing authorities.

In 1992 Hurricane Andrew devastated south Florida with over 25 billion dollars in damage. It was the most costly natural disaster in United States History. It became clear that there was a need for more stringent building codes and for a host of new products designed to withstand the force of category 4 and 5 storms. Exeter Architectural Products saw an opportunity and launched a new effort to design the world’s first “see thru” hurricane shutter. The mission was to design a shutter that could provide residents of hurricane prone areas protection from flying debris and still be aesthetically pleasing while providing life safety and ultraviolet ray protection to combat rising energy costs. Exeter Architectural Products refined its award winning CRIME SHIELD Security Barrier design to develop STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers. Built to pass the world’s most stringent hurricane simulation tests, those developed by Dade County Florida, STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers are capable of stopping flying debris and withstanding the strongest hurricane winds.

Proven over and over by product performance and satisfied customers, Exeter Architectural Products is committed to being a market driven provider of specialty architectural building products that provide superior value and unique advantages to users. With tens of thousands of barriers installed in coastal areas, Exeter’s STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers are an obvious choice if you want the only “see thru” hurricane barrier with built-in security and sun control features that work for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.