Types of Hurricane Shutters

When a hurricane or severe storm hits, the strong winds can be damaging to your home. Windows, specifically, can shatter, letting in rain, wind and debris. Additionally, broken windows during a hurricane can cause pressure to build up inside a home, resulting in roof damage and more.

Hurricane shutters, or storm shutters, act as a barrier against the wind, protecting windows and preventing flying debris, rain, hail and damaging wind from entering your home. While they are essential for those living in certain geographic areas during hurricane season, hurricane shutters should not be left up year-round. Not to mention, proper cleaning and storm shutter maintenance will protect your investment as well as your home.

There are two great ways to help your home deal with the impact of hurricane-force winds. The best option is to replace your standard glass windows with those that have glass that's been engineered to handle extreme weather. The second best option is to use hurricane shutters.

Hurricane shutters are a worthwhile investment that can protect your home for many storm seasons.
Properly installed hurricane shutters can be quicker to put up and take down. For these reasons, installing shutters is a better long-term solution for homeowners than boards.

Tip: Boarding up windows with plywood shutters is an alternative, especially in an emergency. However, boards may tear off easier in a storm, damaging your home. They may also be harder to remove when the hurricane has passed.

The type of shutters you choose will depend on your needs, home style and budget. Let's look at the most common types of shutters as well as the features and benefits of each, so you can find the best hurricane shutters for your home.

• Storm Panel Shutters:
  Made of either aluminum or steel, storm panel shutters attach to the walls around your doors and windows with either bolts and tracks, a C-track that goes around your window, or permanent bolts. With this style, grooved panels lay over one another to form a secure barrier against the elements. The most cost-effective option, these removable shutters are a bit more difficult to install and will need to be stored properly when not in use.
• Automatic Roll Down Shutters: Made of polycarbonate or metal, this type of hurricane shutter attaches to the window, rolling down when needed and rolling up into a box when not in use. While they are one of the more costly options, many people choose this style for its ability to be permanently secured to the window and because of ease of use. Roll down shutters can be manually operated if there is a power outage.
• Accordion Shutters: Permanently attached to your window, this type of hurricane shutter is made of metal or polycarbonate. When not in use, accordion hurricane shutters will fold up, accordion-style, as to not block your view. This budget-friendly style also works well with larger windows and glass doors.
• Colonial Shutters: Often chosen for their aesthetics, colonial shutters attach to the sides of a window and can be folded up, giving the appearance of normal shutters when not in use. When a storm approaches, the shutters are unfolded to cover the window and secured with a storm closure bar. More customizable than other options, colonial hurricane shutters can be comprised of wood, metal or fiberglass. They will take a bit longer to install when compared with other storm shutters, and can be more of an investment.
• Bahama Shutters: Another stylish option, Bahama hurricane shutters consist of one louvered exterior shutter that is attached to the top of your window. This style of shade can be left open to let light in on typical days, but can quickly be shut and locked to protect your home from a storm when a hurricane hits. Bahama-style shutters are typically made of aluminum but can be made of wood or fiberglass.

When deciding on the best hurricane shutters for your home, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Materials: Different types of materials can withstand different wind speeds. For instance, hurricane shutters made of aluminium or steel will be able to hold up against at least 110 mph, according to standard building codes.
• Installation: Will you be installing these on your own or will you have help? Certain styles, like storm panel shutters, will require more than one person to complete the installation.
• Timing: Always plan ahead. If you are purchasing your hurricane shutters for an impending storm, consider the amount of time you have. An option like roll down shutters may be what your home needs, but they will require professional installation.
• Home style: How you protect your windows during a hurricane can be solved by taking things like home style into consideration. While Bahama shutters may appeal to your eye, they may not be the right fit for your home's style, size and storm protection needs.
• Alternatives: There are alternative types of hurricane shutters available, including fabric storm panels, which are made of ballistic nylon, that allow light through, but can easily get fogged.
  When protecting the rest of your home against a hurricane, be sure to safeguard wooden structures with hurricane ties meant to withstand damaging winds. Most new roofs are installed with these.