Decorative Metal Awnings vs. Shutters: What’s the Best Choice for a Coastal Home?

Adding architectural elements to your home’s exterior is a wonderful way to enhance curb appeal, create character, and improve comfort. Decorative metal awnings are a popular choice for providing shade and adding a touch of style over windows and doors. However, for homeowners living in the hurricane-prone areas of the Carolinas, there is a far superior option that provides the same aesthetic benefits with a critical, life-saving advantage: **hurricane-rated decorative shutters**.

While we do not sell awnings at American Hurricane Shutters, we are experts in decorative storm protection. We often consult with homeowners who are considering awnings and help them understand why a rated shutter system is a much smarter, safer, and more valuable investment for their coastal home. This guide will compare these two options head-to-head.

Analyzing the Function: Shade vs. Shelter

It’s important to understand the primary purpose of each product.

Decorative Metal Awnings

A standard metal awning is designed for one primary function: to provide shade. It is engineered to support its own weight and to handle normal weather like rain and moderate winds. It is **not** designed to withstand the extreme forces of a hurricane. It has no impact rating and can be easily torn from a home by high winds, becoming a dangerous piece of debris.

Hurricane-Rated Decorative Shutters

Our decorative shutters, on the other hand, are dual-purpose by design. They are engineered first and foremost as a life-safety system. Their secondary function is to provide beauty and style. They are built to withstand incredible forces and have been lab-tested to prove it.

The Superior Alternatives: Shutters That Do More Than Look Good

Instead of a simple shade structure, consider a dynamic system that adds value and safety to your home 365 days a year. Our two premier decorative options are perfect replacements for any metal awning.

1. Rated Bahama Shutters: The Ultimate Awning Upgrade

A **hurricane-rated Bahama shutter** is essentially a super-powered awning. It is a top-hinged shutter that projects from the house, providing excellent shade and promoting airflow. But unlike an awning, it’s also a certified storm shield.

• Year-Round Function: It provides constant shade, reducing your cooling costs and protecting your interior furnishings from UV damage.
• Storm-Ready: When a storm approaches, the shutter is simply lowered and secured against the window, creating a lab-tested barrier against wind and debris.
• Style and Control: We offer both classic **Fixed Blade** models (approx. $56/sq ft) and premium **Articulating Blade** models (approx. $64/sq ft) that give you full control over your view and privacy.
• Vibrant Colors: Like awnings, our Bahama shutters come in a huge range of beautiful, long-lasting **powder-coat colors**.

2. Rated Colonial Shutters: A Touch of Timeless Elegance

If the projecting look of an awning or Bahama shutter isn’t right for your home’s style, **rated Colonial shutters** are another fantastic decorative option. They mount on the sides of your windows and can be swung shut and barred for protection.

• Architectural Authenticity: They provide a classic, traditional look that is perfect for many of the home styles found in the Carolinas.
• Dual Function: They can be left open to frame the window beautifully or closed for privacy, light control, and, most importantly, storm protection.
• Proven Strength: At approximately **$56 per square foot**, our Bertha HV Rated Colonials are an investment in both curb appeal and certified safety.

A Smarter Investment for Your Coastal Property

While a decorative metal awning may have a slightly lower initial cost, a rated shutter system offers far greater long-term value. It adds a significant layer of security and safety to your home, can increase your property value, and may even qualify you for discounts on your homeowner’s insurance policy. A simple awning offers none of these financial benefits.