The Dangers of “Decorative Only” Non-Impact Bahama Shutters

Bahama shutters are the essence of coastal style. They add a relaxed, tropical vibe to any home while providing excellent shade and privacy. However, in a hurricane zone, there is a critically important distinction that every homeowner must understand: the difference between a **non-impact, decorative Bahama shutter** and a true **hurricane-rated Bahama shutter**. Choosing the wrong one doesn’t just leave you unprotected; it can actively put your home in greater danger.

At American Hurricane Shutters, a core part of our mission is to educate homeowners about these crucial safety differences. A decorative shutter might look the part, but in a storm, it can become a dangerous liability. This guide will explain the specific dangers of non-impact shutters and show you why investing in a rated system is the only safe choice for a coastal home.

Anatomy of a Failure: Why Decorative Shutters Don’t Work

Let’s break down the specific reasons why a non-impact Bahama shutter is not just ineffective, but actively dangerous in a hurricane.

1. Flimsy Materials and Construction

A decorative shutter is built for aesthetics, not for strength. The materials are chosen for looks and low cost.

• Materials: They are often made from thin-gauge aluminum, hollow vinyl, or lightweight wood. These materials have little to no resistance to impacts from flying debris. A wind-borne 2×4 would punch through them like paper.
• Construction: The louvers are often hollow or weakly attached to a lightweight frame. The entire shutter is not designed to function as a single, rigid unit under stress.

2. Inadequate Hardware

This is the most common point of catastrophic failure. The hardware on a decorative shutter is designed only to support the shutter’s own weight against gravity.

• Hinges: They use standard, light-duty hinges that will bend or rip out under the immense pulling forces of hurricane winds.

3. The “Kite” Effect

Because it projects from the house, a Bahama shutter is uniquely susceptible to aerodynamic lift. The wind gets underneath the shutter and tries to rip it upwards and away from the wall. A non-impact shutter, with its weak hardware and frame, cannot resist this force. It will detach from the house and become a massive, sharp-edged projectile, posing a threat to your property and your neighbors’. If you have this style, you must make sure to collapse them before a storm.

The Safe Alternative: Engineered, Hurricane-Rated Systems

In stark contrast, our **hurricane-rated Bahama shutters** are designed from the ground up as a life-safety system. Every component is over-engineered for strength.

• Robust Construction: Our **ASSA Bertha HV** and **Town & Country** rated shutters are built from heavy-duty, extruded aluminum with reinforced frames and solid louvers.
• Heavy-Duty Hardware: They feature continuous, heavy-gauge top hinges and beefy, telescoping support arms with secure locking mechanisms that anchor the shutter firmly in its closed position.
• Proven Performance: Most importantly, they have been physically tested in a certified lab to withstand massive impacts and extreme wind loads, earning them a certification that proves they can protect your home.

While we do offer high-quality non-rated decorative shutters (starting at $50/sq ft) for applications where storm protection is not a concern, we are always transparent about their purpose. For any home in a hurricane-prone area, we strongly and exclusively recommend a rated system, with prices starting at **$56 per square foot**.