Retractable, low-profile storm shield systems and methods

A system for protecting the penetration of a building comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a screen for protecting a building penetration and comprising a first end, a second end, a first loop disposed on a first side, and a second loop disposed on a second side;
• a weight bar coupled to the second end of the screen;
• and
• a take-up roll, attached to the first end of the screen about which a non-deployed portion of the screen is wound;
• two side members each comprising a channel and a hem rod disposed in the channel, the hem rods sized and shaped to fit inside the first and second loops as the screen deploys;
• and
• a cable drive system coupled to the second end of the screen to provide tension to the second end of the screen as it deploys, the cable drive system comprising:
• a tensioning means comprising a first, relaxed position, a second, tensioned position, a first end, and a second end;
• an upper drive pulley system coupled to the first end of the tensioning means;
• and
• a lower drive pulley system coupled to the second end of the tensioning means.

A system for protecting the penetration of a building comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a screen for protecting a building penetration and comprising a first end, a second end, a first loop disposed on a first side, and a second loop disposed on a second side;
• a weight bar coupled to the second end of the screen;
• a take-up roll, attached to the first end of the screen about which a non-deployed portion of the screen is wound;
• and
• two upper side members each comprising a channel;
• two middle side members each comprising a channel;
• and
• two lower side members each comprising a channel and a hem rod, the hem rods sized and shaped to fit inside the first and second loops as the screen deploys.