If you’ve ever wondered if the shutters gracing the windows in southern mansions are the same as those braving coastal hurricanes, we’ve got the answer. Plantation and hurricane shutter are as different as a beach day and a storm watch. While one is all about interior elegance and filtering sunshine, the other is built to withstand mother nature at her wildest. So here’s the lowdown on plantation vs hurricane shutters. We discuss their distinct purposes, and why your Southwest Florida home might benefit from having both to achieve maximum style and hurricane protection.
Here is what we cover in this article:
Plantation Shutters: Appealing, Sunshine Specialists, Not Storm Warriors
First up are plantation shutters. These decorative window treatments are often seen in dreamy interiors, bringing in light and adding a classic touch of Southern charm. While they might look sturdy, these shutters are made for aesthetics and sunlight control, not for braving 100+ mph winds.
Key Features of Plantation Shutters
- Materials and Style: Plantation shutters are available in wood, faux wood, or vinyl in various colors and finishes to fit any decor scheme.
- Light and Privacy Control: These shutters are adjustable. You can angle the louvers to let the light stream in or shut them for privacy and shade. They’re essentially the dimmer switch of window coverings.
- Insulation Bonus: While they can’t stop a storm, plantation shutters can help reduce energy costs by adding insulation and blocking out the extreme heat —perfect for steamy summers, but also help during chilly winters.
- Strictly Indoor Use: These shutters are not made to withstand the elements. So, while they look lovely inside and out, please don’t count on them to shield you when the a storm rolls in.
Ultimately, plantation shutters enhance the look of your interior and help manage daylight. However, if you’re looking to protect your home and family vs a storm, you want hurricane shutters in Southwest Florida.
Hurricane Shutters: Your Home’s Armor Against the Storm
When you need protection, hurricane shutters are your superheroes. They are designed to guard your home and loved ones against hurricane force wind, flying debris, and heavy, driving rain. Hurricane Rated Shutters are rigorously tested and approved by the State of Florida. You will be able to tell hurricane shutters by their Florida Product Appoval number. In short, storm shutters shield your windows and doors during even the most extreme weather. This is something that plantation shutters cannot do.
Storm Shutters Come in Many Styles
There is a wide range of hurricane shutters, including both permanent shutters and non-permanent shutters.
Permanent
- Accordion Shutters: These are practical and sturdy, mounted on tracks, and easy to pull across windows. They fold like an accordion (hence the name) and are ideal for a wide range of openings, including windows, doors, sliding glass doors and wide openings, such as balconies and lanais.
- Roll-Down Shutters: Roll downs are retractable shutters that open up and down on vertical tracks. They’re strong, secure, and often have remote-control options, making them one of the easiest and most convenient shutters available.
- Colonial Shutters: Colonial Shutters are permanently affixed to the sides of your window and fold shut over the window when needed. They combine a bit of Colonial/Southern style with functional storm protection.
- Bahama Shutters: These are tropical shutters, hinged at the top and propped open for airflow, but they close and protect your windows when needed.
Non-Permanent
- Storm Panels: These detachable panels are steel, aluminum, or clear polycarbonate. They are affordable and effective, but installation requires muscle and advanced planning.
- Fabric Storm Panels – these removable shutter panels are made from lightweight, flexible kevlar or similar material. They serve the same function as storm panels, but are lighter and easier to handle. They also require less
Key Features of Hurricane Shutters
- Impact Resistant: Designed to withstand flying debris impacts and high winds, hurricane shutters are made to meet strict Florida Building Codes.
- Wide range of styles and functions: You can find a hurricane shutter style that meets your design criteria. A number of them also offer additional functions and benefits, such as security protection, shade, privacy, and insulation.
- Insurance Discounts: Homes equipped with hurricane shutters often qualify for reduced wind premiums, as insurance carriers see these as proactive, damage-reducing measures.
- Security Bonus: When fully closed, many hurricane-rated shutters add an extra layer of security, keeping nature and unwanted intruders out.
Why Florida Residents Need Hurricane Shutters
With intense storms in Florida annually, hurricane shutters can be a home’s best defense. While plantation shutters may charm your home, hurricane shutters safeguard your windows and doors, protecting them against powerful hurricanes.
Plantation shutters may be a great option for the interior of your home. But here’s why hurricane shutters are the smart choice for every Southwest and South Florida resident:
- Battle-Tested Durability: Hurricane shutters are designed to endure the harshest weather conditions. They’re tested to withstand the impact of flying debris and the brute force of hurricane-level winds. In Florida, where hurricanes are a threat annually, you need shutters to stand their ground. This is no place for “light-duty” options!
- Efficiency in Emergencies: When a storm warning is issued, you want a solution you can deploy quickly. Hurricane shutters are built with ease of use in mind. Accordion shutters can be pulled into place in seconds, and roll-down shutters can be deployed with the push of a button—some even have remote controls. You’ll be secured long before you’re done rechecking your hurricane supply list.
- Unbeatable Resale Value: Having hurricane shutters adds value to your Florida home. Prospective buyers in hurricane-prone regions are well aware of the need for robust storm protection. In turn, investing in hurricane shutters is a savvy selling point. In other words, they’re an investment that protects your home and its adds to its value.
Conclusion
Plantation and hurricane shutters serve very different functions. One is intended to add interior aesthetic appeal and light control to your home’s openings. The other is intended to protect your home’s openings from intense hurricane winds and flying debris. Both serve a specific purpose, and while you can add both to your home, plantation shutters cannot protect your home from hurricanes. So if you need hurricane protection for your Florida home go with hurricane-rated shutters.
So when you’re ready to upgrade your home with quality hurricane shutters that deliver beauty and peace of mind, contact us at Eurex Shutters.. Our hurricane protection products are built tough, meeting the strictest industry standards, all while enhancing your home’s exterior appearance. Our team will work closely with you to find the right solution for your home.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
Sources:
- https://hurricanestrong.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/5-4-21-Hurricane-Shutter-Comparison-Table-Final.pdf
- https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/windows/choosing-hurricane-shutters-for-windows/
- https://goodwoodshutters.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-plantation-shutters/
- https://eurexshutters.com/colonial-hurricane-shutters/
