Why Aluminum is the Gold Standard for Hurricane Shutters

The material your hurricane shutters are made from is the foundation of their performance. While other materials like vinyl or wood exist for decorative purposes, when it comes to life-safety storm protection in a harsh coastal environment, one material stands head and shoulders above the rest: **aluminum**. At American Hurricane Shutters, the vast majority of our rigid shutter systems are crafted from high-grade, extruded aluminum, and for very good reason.

This guide will take a deep dive into the properties of aluminum and explain why it has become the gold standard for manufacturing exterior hurricane shutters. Understanding these benefits will help you appreciate the long-term value and reliability of your investment.

The Perfect Combination of Strength and Weight

The primary job of a hurricane shutter is to resist impacts and extreme wind forces. This requires strength. However, the shutter also needs to be manageable for homeowners and not put undue stress on the structure of the house. This requires a lightweight material.

Aluminum’s Superior Strength-to-Weight Ratio

This is where aluminum truly excels. It is an incredibly strong metal for its weight. This allows our manufacturers, like **ASSA/Bertha HV**, to engineer shutters with thick, reinforced walls that can withstand lab-tested impacts, yet remain light enough to be practical.

• A homeowner can handle and install an aluminum **storm panel** that would be impossibly heavy if it were made of steel.
• An **accordion shutter** can glide smoothly along its track because the aluminum blades are not excessively heavy.
• A wide-span **rolldown shutter** can be operated by a compact motor because it doesn’t have to lift an enormous amount of weight.

Built for the Coast: Unbeatable Corrosion Resistance

For any metal product installed on a home in coastal Carolina, from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach, the biggest enemy is salt. The salt-laden air is relentlessly corrosive to most metals, especially steel, which will rust and degrade rapidly. Aluminum is the exception.

The Science of Passivation

Aluminum does not rust. When raw aluminum is exposed to oxygen, it instantly forms a microscopic, transparent, and very hard layer of aluminum oxide on its surface. This process is called passivation. This oxide layer acts as a natural, perfect seal, protecting the metal underneath from any further corrosion. This is why you can see unpainted aluminum boats and railings that last for decades in a saltwater environment.

The Added Protection of Powder Coating

To further enhance this natural durability and to provide a beautiful, lasting color, our aluminum shutters are finished with a high-quality powder coating. This process bakes the color onto the metal, creating a finish that is far more durable than standard paint. It resists chipping, fading, and scratching, and provides an additional barrier against the elements. We offer a huge range of **colors** to match any home.

Durability, Longevity, and Low Maintenance

An investment in hurricane shutters is an investment for the life of your home. Aluminum’s inherent properties ensure it’s a wise one.

• It Won’t Rot, Warp, or Crack: Unlike wood, aluminum is impervious to moisture and pests. Unlike vinyl, it will not become brittle from UV exposure or warp in the summer heat.
• Minimal Maintenance: An aluminum shutter requires very little upkeep. An annual cleaning and lubrication of the tracks is all that’s needed to keep it in perfect working order. You can learn more from our **maintenance guide**.
• It’s Sustainable: Aluminum is one of the most recycled and recyclable materials on earth, making it an environmentally responsible choice.