Shutters can transform a home from simple and plain to attractive and unique. Exterior window shutters can add a pop of color and round out your home design. But good looks are just one benefit of shutters. Functional exterior shutters serve a purpose and add to the functionality of your home. But what exactly are functional shutters? How are they different from decorative shutters? What functions do they provide? If you have questions about We’ll answer all of these questions in this guide.
You may also like: Choosing Exterior Shutters: Guide For FL Homeowners
Functional Exterior Shutters: An Overview
Below we discuss what they are, what functions they serve and where they are commonly used on homes.
What are functional exterior shutters?
This category of exterior shutters do more than just make your home look good. They have a purpose, or in other words, they serve a function. Because of this they are very different from decorative shutters, whose only purpose is to sit on your home for decorative reasons.
What functions do functional shutters provide?
Depending on the type of shutter they can serve many different functions. Common ones include storm protection, security protection, shade and UV control, and more. Some functional shutters can even enclose outdoor spaces, such as patios and lanais.
The actual function provided depends on the type of shutter you buy. For example, hurricane shutters provide storm protection in places like Florida, other coastal US areas, and the Caribbean. As another example, security shutters protect home and business owners from theft and vandalism.
Shutters that serve a purpose can take many forms/styles. They also can be located both on the interior and the exterior of your home.
Some types of functional shutters serve a single function. Others serve multiple functions. Below we discuss some of the actual functions this category of shutter can provide.
Hurricane & storm protection
Some shutters provide homeowners from severe weather. Shutters designed for hurricane protection are made from impact resistant materials, such as aluminum hurricane shutters as well as metal and polycarbonate. They can withstand the impact of severe hurricane wind gusts and flying debris.
This type of functioning shutter is commonly used in locations that are prone to hurricanes, such as Florida.
If you are interested in storm shutters you may benefit from our guide on Picking the Perfect Hurricane Shutters For You.
Security protection
Security shutters serve another important function. This is to protect homeowners and businesses from security threats, such as intruders and vandals. These may take the form of security roller shutters, window grates, etc.
Shade and/or UV Control
There are several shutters provide both shade and control the amount of UV entering a home or office. They may do this by deflecting light or blocking it.
These can be exterior shutters, such as Bahama shutters. Or they can be interior shutters, such as plantation shutters.
If you want to learn more about exterior shutters you can read our guide on Choosing Exterior Shutters.
Privacy
Some functional shutters are designed to provide privacy. This is usually done by reducing the ability to see into your home/office. The shutters may completely close to block out your entire window. Or they may partially close to reduce the view into your home. Like shutters used for shade, these can be either interior or exterior shutters.
Why add functional shutters to your home?
Should you install functional shutters on your home? The answer is it depends on your location, situation, and needs.
A great example is if you own a home in Southwest Florida. This coastal area is prone to hurricanes and extreme heat. In this case hurricane shutters provide a critical function – hurricane protection. They can also provide shade and UV control functions. In turn these functional shutters provide much more value than decorative shutters. While decorative shutters may look good they won’t protect you during a hurricane. So installing functional shutters is a good idea for homeowners in this area.
Here is another example. Say you leave your home unattended for long periods of time during the year. Or say your business has had problems with theft or break-ins in the past. In this case, security shutters, another type of functional shutter are a good fit. These will protect your property from potential crimes and loss.
What about functional shutters that provide shade or privacy? These can benefit any property owner.
So again, whether you should add functioning shutters does depend. In the end, they may be a good idea if they provide a meaningful function for your property.
Where can they be used on your home?
Functional exterior shutters can be used on multiple areas on your home. The most popular ones are for your windows, doors, and outdoor spaces.
Each location is briefly described below:
- Functional Window Shutters are installed on the outside of your home’s glass windows. Since shutters are mostly designed for windows
- Door Shutters: several types of shutters can be installed on the exterior or interior of your entry doors and serve many purposes. They provide similar functions to those installed on windows. But the types available for doors are more limited vs those designed for windows.
- Outdoor spaces: some types of shutters and hurricane screens are good for wide openings. This means they can be used for outdoor spaces, such as patios, backyard kitchens, screened in porches, lanais and more.
Types of Functional Shutters For Southwest Florida
There are several types of shutters that are classified as functional. Below are a few examples of popular types here in Southwest Florida. Because our area is so prone to hurricane, all of them function as hurricane shutters. But all of them also offer additional functions.
Roll Down Shutters
Rolling or roll up shutters serve a lot of functions. They are extremely popular in Florida because they can be used for many purposes. You can use them for your residential home. But they are also commonly used on commercial buildings for security protection. They also look clean and go with most home designs
Functions they provide:
- Storm protection
- Security protection – both residential and commercial
- Shade
- Privacy
- Temperature control
- Enclosing open spaces, such as patios
Where they are used:
Roll shutters are designed for both small and wide openings, which means they can be used in mostly any location. These include:
- Windows
- Doors
- Exterior spaces (patios, lanais, wide entry doors, etc.)
Learn more about PTX™ Roll Down Hurricane Shutters
Accordion Shutters
Accordion shutters are also highly functional. While accordions aren’t as functional as roll downs they are also popular in Florida because they do serve multiple functions, which are listed below.
Functions they provide:
- Storm protection
- Security protection – but to a lesser extent than roll downs
- Privacy – they can completely block out your windows, doors, etc.
- Temperature control – if used to block out sunlight
- Enclosing open spaces, such as patios
Where they can be used:
Like roll shutters accordions can also be used for both small and wide openings. These include:
- Windows
- Doors
- Exterior spaces (patios, lanais, wide entry doors, etc.)
Learn more about Eurex Shutters PTX™ Accordion Shutters.
Bahama Shutters
Bahama shutters are also known as Bermuda or Caribbean shutters. They a great fit if you are looking for drop dead attractive shutters and some added functionality. They are a great fit for homes with both modern design or Caribbean design. Their looks are a main reason why they are so popular in coastal areas of Florida. But they are also functional.
Bahamas come in both impact resistant and non-impact resistant materials. So if you need storm protection go with ones made from impact resistant aluminum.
Learn more: What Are Bahama Shutters & Pros and Cons For Your Southwest FL Home
Functions they provide:
- Storm protection (for those made from aluminum)
- Privacy – the way they are positioned blocks visibility into your home
- Shade – their position helps deflect and block sunlight from entering your home
- Temperature control – via shade and UV control
Where they can be used:
Bahama shutters are made to be functional window shutters. They are not suitable for use on large openings or doors. So these really are just for your home or business’ windows.
Learn more about Eurex Shutters PTX™ Bahama Shutters.
Functional shutters generally cost more than purely decorative shutters. But they offer more value due to the functionality they offer. So if you need functions such as storm protection, security protection or shade then functional exterior shutters are definitely worth the extra cost.
Conclusion
Unlike decorative shutters, functional exterior shutters serve a purpose. While they do provide good looks they also increase the functionality and enjoyment of your home. Different types will provide different functionality and benefits. So there is surely a type that is right for you and your needs. And while they do cost more than decorative shutters they also provide a lot more value and benefits.
