Bahama Shutters - Keep Your Home Safe and Beautiful
Bahama shutters are multi-faceted shutters that will keep out the intense summer sun and protect you and your family during hurricane season.
Bahama shutters are large exterior shutters. When they're closed, they completely block out the sun. The openings face down so they look like slated awnings over your windows. These shutters are placed on the outside of homes, trailers and stores to protect against hurricane damage. They're usually made out of aluminum or other durable materials. Bahama shutters are strong enough to prevent large debris from crashing through the window.
These shutters can also be used to keep out the sun, rain and heat. For that reason, they're a good addition to the side of your house that receives the most sunlight. People also use the Bahama shutter to create privacy around their pool or deck. These shutters are large enough and thick enough that they give you complete privacy.
Bahama shutters cost roughly $15 to $20 per square foot. If you decide to invest in Bahama shutters, you should get them for your entire house. You never know which side of your house will get hit by a hurricane so it makes no sense to shutter one side of the house and not the other. Before you buy your shutters, do some research. The cheapest shutter is not always the best value. Some Bahama shutters are better equip than others to protect against flying debris.
Bahama shutters come in all different sizes and colors. If you have unique window sizes, you'll probably have to have them custom made. This can be more expensive, so be sure to bring your window measurements to the store before you buy your shutters. Make sure to measure the length and height of the actual window and window frame. Most places will install your shutters for you for a fee.
How do I Know if I Need Bahama Shutters?
As a rule of the thumb, you're not going to need Bahama shutters unless you live in an area that's susceptible to long periods of intense sun or hurricanes. Bahama shutters are very popular in the southern part of the United States. They're also used in the Caribbean and other climates, hence the name Bahama shutters.
It can be costly to outfit your entire house with Bahama shutters. However, if you live in an area that frequently gets hurricanes, it will be well worth it. It's extremely expensive to replace broken windows. If your windows break during a hurricane, your carpet or furniture could also be destroyed.
If you do not live in a climate that's at risk for hurricanes or intense sun, you probably don't need Bahama shutters. However, these shutters can be effective if you live in a place that gets a lot of tornadoes. Bahama shutters don't discriminate against tornadoes and will protect your family from flying shards of broken glass in a tornado just like they will in a hurricane.
Many people love the coastal flair that Bahama shutters can give a home. Others love that the shutters can be opened to get fresh air into the home at still provide light control so that the home doesn't heat up or the sun doesn't fade carpets.
Bahama shutters offer several advantages to homeowners:
* Quality Storm Protection: Bahama shutters attach to the outside of the home and protect windows from flying debris and wind damage.
* Light Control: the shutters allow users to open or close the shutters to control the amount of light let into the home. Glare is eliminated and carpets and other furnishings are protected from fading UV rays.
* Energy Efficient: by controlling the light, you'll help keep the temperature of your home more consistent, saving energy and money.
* Beauty: Bahama shutters add a tropical feel to any home. They make it easy to change the look of your home.
* Sound Control: shutters offer another level of sound protection to your home. They help block out unwanted street noise and keep your home a tranquil preserve.
* No Storage Needed: unlike some other forms of storm protection, Bahama shutters stay on your home year round, meaning that you never have to find a place to store them. At the same time, when a storm threatens, you're protected without having to spend precious time putting them back up.
* Ease of Care: many Bahama shutters are made from aluminum, making them easy to care for. Repeated painting or other intensive up keep isn't needed. You can spend time on other activities.
A Bahama shutter is easy to install whether you purchase them for storm protection or as decorative elements to your home.
One consideration that you may want to make is whether to add decorate hardware to your Bahama shutters. The bracing arm on some units can be less attractive from the side. Luckily, manufacturers have recognized this problem and have designed units addressing this issue as well as separate brackets and rods to customize the look.