Bahama shutters are typically placed on the outside of a window and are made specifically to protect the window and home from storm, rain, and hurricane damage. The shutter itself protrudes at an angle, often attached to the top of the window, so that it forms a kind of awning over the window when fully open. More common in the South, they are also sometimes called Bermuda blinds.
Traditionally these blinds were made of wood, however today you can find easily affordable PVC and aluminum blinds that look fantastic and are much cheaper than wooden blinds. Another advantage of PVC or aluminum shutters is that they are usually more manageable and easier to open and close than those made of heavier wood. They also generally hold up much better to hot, direct sunlight, although you do need to be careful with PVC and make sure they are UV protected, otherwise they can yellow over time.
While putting shutters on the outside of your windows may seem like a considerable expense, especially if you’ve already spent considerable expense installing window treatments like shades or drapes on the inside of your windows, they do have benefits that make them worth installing. Also, once installed, you’ll rarely have to replace them for many years, so while initially an investment, it evens out over the space of several years. It also has the added benefit of increasing the resale value of your home, a bonus if you ever plan to sell and move.
One of the main benefits is that they offer very real protection against storm and hurricane damage. While the newer type of glass installed in windows these days is much less likely to break, there is still a danger of objects being picked up and thrown into the house by high winds. Also, blinds help protect windows and sash from torrential rains, sometimes from the side, which can also sometimes be so torrential that it can almost blast its way through the sash.
They also add to the overall appeal of your home. Installing the same type of blinds on all the windows that face the street or main road can give your home a consistency that makes it very attractive when viewed from the street. Of course, they must be kept in good repair. It’s not uncommon to have to do minor repairs after hurricane season ends, as it’s important to fix small repairs right away rather than procrastinate. It’s very easy to forget that a blind needs a hinge replaced until you go to close it; by which time it may be too late to make the repair.
