Are Bahama Shutters Strong Enough for Hurricanes? A Guide to Rated Protection

With their tropical charm and practical shade benefits, Bahama shutters (also known as Bermuda or Bimini shutters) are an iconic feature of coastal architecture. They add immense curb appeal to homes from the Crystal Coast to the Grand Strand. But this leads to one of the most critical questions a coastal homeowner can ask: “Are my Bahama shutters actually strong enough to protect my home in a hurricane?”

The answer, unfortunately, is often no. Many Bahama shutters on the market are purely decorative. They are designed for looks, not for impact. At American Hurricane Shutters, we are experts in this critical distinction. This guide will teach you how to tell the difference and explain why investing in a truly hurricane-rated system is essential for the safety of your home.

The Critical Difference: Decorative vs. Hurricane-Rated

It’s impossible to tell if a shutter is protective just by looking at it. The difference lies in the unseen engineering, materials, and testing that go into its construction.

Decorative Bahama Shutters

• Materials: Often made from thin-gauge aluminum, vinyl, or wood. These materials are not designed to resist high-velocity impacts.
• Construction: The louvers are often hollow or flimsy, and the frames are lightweight.
• Hardware: They use standard hinges and support arms designed only to hold the weight of the shutter itself.
• Danger: In a hurricane, these shutters can easily be ripped from the wall and become dangerous, destructive projectiles. They offer zero effective protection.

Hurricane-Rated Bahama Shutters

• Materials: Constructed from heavy-duty, extruded aluminum that is engineered to be incredibly strong and rigid.
• Construction: The frames are robust, and the louvers are solid and reinforced to deflect debris. The entire system is designed as an integrated unit.
• Hardware: They utilize heavy-duty, stainless steel hinges and beefed-up support arms with secure locking points. This hardware is designed to withstand thousands of pounds of force.
• Certification: Most importantly, they have been rigorously tested in a certified lab to withstand high-velocity impacts and cyclic wind pressure, meeting or exceeding strict coastal building codes.

Our Elite Line of Rated Bahama Shutters

We believe our customers deserve both style and uncompromising safety. That’s why we only offer Bahama shutter systems from the industry’s most trusted manufacturers.

ASSA Bertha HV Fixed Blade Rated Bahamas

These are the workhorses of the rated Bahama world. The louvers are fixed at an optimal angle to provide permanent shade and privacy while maximizing strength. At approximately $56 per square foot, they offer incredible, lab-tested protection and a classic, clean look that complements any coastal home. They are available in a wide array of powder-coated colors.

Town & Country Articulating Blade Rated Bahamas

For the ultimate in control and luxury, our Town & Country shutters are the premium choice. These systems feature articulating blades (louvers) that you can adjust.

• The UltraView and Fullview Design: This allows you to open the blades for a clearer view, close them for complete privacy and shade, or set them anywhere in between.
• Uncompromising Strength: Even with their moving parts, these shutters are fully engineered and tested to provide the same elite level of hurricane protection.
• Investment: At approximately $64 per square foot, they represent the pinnacle of functional, beautiful, and protective window coverings.

You can see examples of these beautiful and strong systems in our gallery of past projects.

The Smart Investment: Cost vs. Consequence

While purely decorative shutters may have a lower upfront cost (around $50/sq ft for our non-rated options), it’s a cost that provides a false sense of security. The true investment is in a rated system that can potentially save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages by preventing a window breach. Many insurance companies may also offer discounts for certified hurricane protection, further offsetting the cost.