What are Bahama shutters?
Bahama shutters are one-piece shutters hinged at the top of a window. On a normal day, they are propped open at an angle with support arms, which shades the glass and still lets air and some light through.
When a storm is coming, you lower the shutter flat over the window and secure it. They give a home a relaxed, island look that suits the Treasure Coast, and they work hard all year. Shade, privacy, temperature control and hurricane protection, all in one.
What are colonial shutters?
Colonial shutters are pairs of shutters hinged on each side of a window. Most of the time, they sit open against the wall as a decorative frame for the window, much like traditional shutters.
Before a storm, you swing both panels closed over the window and latch them together. Colonial shutters suit traditional, Southern and coastal home styles and are a good choice when you want protection that looks like part of the original design.
Bahama vs colonial shutters: which is right for my home?
Choose Bahama shutters if you want daily shade and a tropical look. Choose colonial shutters if you want a traditional look and prefer your windows fully open to the light most of the time.
Bahama shutters work well on sunny sides of the house where glare and heat are a problem. Colonial shutters work well on front elevations where you want a classic frame around each window. Both styles mount permanently and close over the window before a storm. Some homes use one style in front and a different system, like accordion or roll-down shutters, on large sliders and back openings.
- Bahama: hinged at the top, propped open for shade, island look
- Colonial: hinged at the sides, opens like doors, traditional look
- Both: permanently mounted, closed and secured before a storm
Are Bahama and colonial shutters real hurricane protection?
Yes, when they are rated and installed correctly. Hurricane-rated Bahama and colonial shutters are engineered to protect the window from wind and flying debris once they are closed and secured.
All the products we install are Florida Building Code approved and rated for Category 5 hurricane conditions. Our team handles the permitting process and coordinates the inspections. Decorative shutters bought for looks alone are not the same thing, so ask for hurricane-rated products.
What do Bahama and colonial shutters cost?
The cost depends on the style, the size and number of windows, the material and finish, and how high the windows are. Larger windows need bigger panels and stronger hardware.
Because every home is different, the simplest way to get a real price is a free in-home estimate. We visit, measure each window, explain both styles and give you a detailed written estimate at no cost.