Florida is an incredible place to live. Whether you love the beach, hiking, golfing, kayaking, or shopping and dining, there’s something for just about everyone. However, it’s also the most hurricane-prone state in the country, which means protecting your home with hurricane shutters in Florida is a very smart move.
Hurricane shutters provide substantial protection from intense winds and flying debris. They can help prevent damage to your windows, doors, sliding glass doors, and more. They’re also available in a wide range of styles and colors. However, the wrong choice here could mean being stuck with shutters that don’t look great on your home or don’t fit with the overall aesthetic of the neighborhood.
If you’re interested in the protective capabilities hurricane shutters offer but aren’t sure how to choose the right color or style, we’re here to help. We created this guide to walk you through what you’ll need to know to choose shutters that add curb appeal to your property.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Shutter Colors and Styles
Choosing hurricane shutters might seem like a simple process, but it’s not. The truth is that you’ll want to consider many different factors to make an informed decision here.
Home Style and Architecture
First, let’s start with your home’s style and architecture. These elements will have a major impact on the type of shutters you buy, as well as their color. For instance, if you have a Colonial-style home, then something like white accordion shutters may be the wrong choice because they’d clash with your overall style.
On the other hand, if you have a traditional Caribbean home, Bahama-style shutters would fit well, while Colonial shutters would look out of place.
Local Climate and Environment
Another consideration here is your local climate and environment. Florida spans multiple USDA hardiness zones from the Panhandle in the north to the Keys in the south and each one has its own unique characteristics. North-central Florida cities like Ocala have drastically different living conditions to southern cities like Miami. You’ll also find that homes on the coasts need more robust protection than those in the center of the state.
Home Exterior Colors
Tying into your home’s exterior color can help ensure that your hurricane shutters look great and that they add to the property’s curb appeal. You can go a couple of directions here. The most common is to choose a matching color. In this scenario, your shutters would match an existing color on your home’s exterior, such as the trim or door.
For instance, if your windows and doors are trimmed in white, then white hurricane shutters carry that theme forward.
However, you can also go with a contrasting color. Contrasting colors are sometimes called complementary colors. They don’t match, but they go together to create visual interest. Below you can see a great example of how black and white create a beautiful contrast.
Contrasting colors are usually located opposite one another on a color wheel. For example, a complementary color for white would be black. Blue contrasts nicely with white, brown, green, and even red. Gray goes well with almost any color. Green can pair well with blue, black, and even beige/taupe exteriors.
Choosing a color that contrasts your home adds more depth (and even personality) to your home’s color scheme.
Personal Preferences
Finally, you should consider your personal preferences. It’s all well and good to talk about complementary colors. However, if you just don’t like any of the contrasting options, then there’s little point in pursuing those options. So, consider this exercise:
- What colors do you like?
- What colors do you personally feel will look good on your home?
- What colors do you think will tie into the surrounding area?
- Do you want to make a statement, or do you want your shutters to blend in with your home?
Standard vs Custom
Most types of hurricane shutters are offered in a set of standard colors. These are usually white, beige, ivory, and bronze. Some styles are available in custom colors, which expands your options. However, custom color shutters will have a higher cost, which should also be considered.
Popular Color Trends for Florida Homes
If you’re on the fence about your hurricane shutter color, you can consider some of the trends showcased in Florida’s homes. Currently, the most popular colors in the state are:
- White: White is very popular along the coasts as well as within inland areas. This is largely because white is classic and is clean. It usually goes with anything, and it often ties in with existing trim work. This means homeowners don’t need to worry about repainting or replacing everything in order to add white shutters.
- Gray: Gray is another popular choice. Different shades of gray can go with almost any color exterior or trim. It is a color that ages well in that it doesn’t really go out of style. That makes it a great choice for those who want to “set it and forget it”.
- Blue: Blue is a very popular color for hurricane shutters, particularly on homes closer to the water or if you want to evoke a coastal lifestyle or vibe. You’ll find many shades of blue, from aquamarine to sky blue, and everything in between. Light-blues and blue-green shades are a great way to create a tropical, Caribbean theme.
- Warm Neutrals: Taupe, beige, off-white, cream, and other neutral colors are popular with homeowners because they tie into white trim and can pair well with most exterior colors. Both ivory and beige are standard colors, which is also a benefit.
- Earth Tones: Want something classic and timelines? Consider earth tones, like beige, brown, tan, and shades of green. These pair well with white, gray, and brown exteriors.
Long-Term Considerations
With something as important as hurricane shutters, it’s best to consider the big picture. Yes, being spontaneous can be fun, but this type of purchase can affect the value of your home, as well as your enjoyment of it long-term. Consider some of the long-term implications of the colors you’re thinking about, such as:
- Will Florida’s ever-present sunshine cause the color to fade? What will it look like when it does?
- Will the color add to or take away from your home’s curb appeal?
- How will the color affect your home’s resale value? For example, is it a color that appeals to the masses or to you specifically?
- Does the color match the neighborhood? Will your home look like it belongs or stand-out as a “black sheep”?
Work with Eurex Shutters to Get the Perfect Hurricane Shutters
Whether you’ve got your heart set on a particular color or you’re not sure which way to go, we can help. The team at Eurex Shutters has worked with homeowners just like you for almost 40 years to help them choose the right hurricane shutter style and color for their homes. And we can do the same for you. Whether you need help with your home’s color scheme or what color to use for a condo or HOA, we are here to help. Reach out today to schedule an in-home consultation and to learn more about our locally-made hurricane shutters.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
