Bahama Shutters: The Perfect Blend of Coastal Style and Storm Protection for Myrtle Beach

Walk through any beautiful coastal community in Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, or North Myrtle Beach, and you’ll see them: Bahama shutters. With their top-hinge design and louvered panels, they are the defining look of tropical, coastal architecture. They instantly add curb appeal, charm, and, most importantly, shade.

But many homeowners are surprised to learn that these stylish shutters can also be one of the most robust forms of hurricane protection available. They are the rare product that enhances your home’s beauty every day while providing fortress-like security when you need it most.

At American Hurricane Shutters, we specialize in helping Myrtle Beach homeowners find the perfect Bahama shutter solution. Whether you call them Bermuda shutters, Bimini shutters, or just tropical shutters, we have the high-quality, fully-installed options you need. This guide will break down the types, costs, and benefits of installing Bahama shutters on your home.

What Are Bahama Shutters?

Unlike traditional Colonial shutters that hinge on the sides of a window, Bahama shutters are hinged at the top. They prop open from the bottom with adjustable or fixed arms, creating a stylish awning. This design is their “superpower,” offering three distinct benefits in one product:

1. Sun Control & Energy Efficiency: By blocking the harsh, direct sunlight from hitting your windows, Bahama shutters can significantly cool the interior of your home. This reduces the load on your air conditioning and can lower your energy bills—a major plus in the hot, humid Myrtle Beach summers.
2. Privacy: The louvered design allows you to see out clearly, but it’s difficult for anyone on the outside to see in. They provide excellent daytime privacy without making you feel closed-in.
3. Storm Protection: When a storm approaches, you simply lower the shutters, secure them to the wall, and your window is sealed behind an impact-rated barrier.

This combination of daily benefits and emergency protection is why Bahama shutters are one of the most popular and practical upgrades for any coastal Carolina home.

Not All Bahama Shutters Are Created Equal: Decorative vs. Hurricane-Rated

This is the most crucial distinction a homeowner must understand. You cannot buy just any Bahama shutter and expect it to protect you in a hurricane. There are two very different categories, and at American Hurricane Shutters, we offer and clearly explain both.

1. Decorative Bahama Shutters

These shutters are built for aesthetics, shade, and privacy. They are not impact-rated and are not designed to withstand hurricane-force winds or debris. They are a beautiful architectural accent, but they offer no storm protection.

• Best For: Homes in non-coastal areas, or windows that are already protected by other means (like impact glass).
• Our Product: We offer high-quality, all-aluminum decorative shutters that will never rot, warp, or crack.
• Estimated Cost: ~$50 per square foot, installed.

2. Hurricane-Rated Bahama Shutters

These are the real deal. From the outside, they look just as beautiful as their decorative counterparts, but they are engineered from the inside out for extreme performance. Our rated shutters, like the Bertha HV Fixed Blade Bahama Shutters, are tested and approved to meet the toughest building codes in the nation. They are designed to stop flying debris and resist catastrophic wind pressure.

When you invest in a rated shutter, you are getting a system that is fully compliant with South Carolina building codes and will qualify you for homeowners’ insurance discounts.

At American Hurricane Shutters, we offer two primary types of hurricane-rated Bahama shutters.

Your Rated Bahama Options: Fixed Blade vs. Articulating Blade

Even within the “rated” category, you have choices that balance cost, protection, and functionality.

1. Fixed Blade Rated Bahama Shutters (The Fortress)

This is the classic, robust solution for hurricane-rated Bahamas. The louvers are “fixed” in a partially open position. This provides the best combination of strength, shade, and affordability for a rated system.

• Our Product: We proudly install the ASSA Bertha HV Fixed Blade Bahama Shutter. It’s a proven, high-performance system from Eastern Metal Supply.
• How it Works: The shutter provides 24/7 shade and privacy. When a storm is coming, you simply remove the support arms and secure the shutter flat against the wall with its built-in locking system.
• Estimated Cost: ~$56 per square foot, installed.

2. Articulating Blade Rated Bahama Shutters (The Luxury Choice)

This is the premium, top-of-the-line option for homeowners who want zero compromises. These shutters look like classic Bahamas, but the louvers are adjustable—they “articulate.”

We install the best articulating systems on the market from Town & Country, including their UltraView and Fullview lines.

• How it Works: On a normal day, you can adjust the blades. Open them up for a nearly unobstructed “Fullview” of the ocean, or close them for complete privacy and darkness—all while the main shutter remains propped open. When a storm approaches, you close the blades and secure the entire shutter to the wall.
• Benefit: This is the only shutter that gives you complete, on-demand control over your light, view, and privacy, *in addition* to being fully hurricane-rated.
• Estimated Cost: ~$64 per square foot, installed.

Customization: Making Your Shutters Match Your Home

The biggest appeal of tropical shutters is their style, and style means color. Unlike basic storm panels or accordions, Bahama shutters become a permanent, prominent feature of your home’s exterior. They *must* look perfect.

That’s why we don’t limit you to a few basic colors. Our aluminum Bahama shutters are finished with a durable, AAMA-compliant powder coating that resists fading, chipping, and the harsh salt air of Myrtle Beach.

We offer a vast array of standard colors, from crisp whites and sandy beiges to deep coastal blues and Lowcountry greens. And if you have a specific, custom color in mind to match your trim or front door, we can do that, too. Our goal is to make your shutters look like they were always part of your home’s original design.

You can see our full range of standard colors on our Bahama and Colonial Colors page.

Why Choose American Hurricane Shutters for Your Bahama Installation?

Installing a top-hinged Bahama shutter is a precise job. It requires perfect alignment for the shutter to operate smoothly, and it demands expert anchoring to ensure it holds fast in a 150-mph wind. This is not a job for a handyman.

As a family-owned, disabled-owned business, we have been serving the Carolinas since 2007. We are a proud member of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association (HBA) and have protected thousands of homes from New Bern, NC, to Pawleys Island, SC.

When you call us, you get:

• No Subcontractors: Our own team of trained, full-time employees will be at your home.
• Full Insurance: We are fully covered with General Liability, Workers’ Comp, and a $2,000,000 umbrella policy for your protection.
• Expertise: We know the products. We know the building codes. We know the coastal environment. We use 18-8 stainless steel fasteners to ensure your investment lasts.
• A Local Owner: Our owner, Matthew Burns, is deeply involved in the business, from estimates to installation, ensuring the highest quality.

We have the past projects to prove our commitment to quality. We don’t just sell shutters; we install permanent peace of mind.