Designing Hurricane-Ready Homes: The Essential Guide to Shutters and Openings Protection
- Viola Angelotti
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 26
This post kicks off our Designing Hurricane-Ready Homes series—because while the Caribbean offers unmatched beauty and lifestyle, hurricanes are a real concern for anyone building or living here. The good news? With the right planning and systems in place, you can protect your home and gain serious peace of mind.
One of the most important places to start is with your openings—your windows and doors. These are often the first points of vulnerability during a storm.
Hurricane-force winds don’t just blow in one direction—they shift, swirl, and tunnel between buildings, amplifying pressure on certain openings. If even one window or door fails, the internal pressure inside the home can rise rapidly, lifting the roof or causing walls to buckle. This is why shutters and reinforced doors are critical components of any hurricane-resistant home.
By choosing the right shutters doors, you’re securing your own peace of mind.
The Role of Hurricane Shutters in Home Protection
While impact-resistant windows provide an excellent first line of defense, shutters are an essential extra layer of protection—not only shielding the glass from flying debris but also helping to maintain the integrity of the home’s overall structure.
Shutters come in various types, each offering different levels of convenience, affordability, and durability.
Choosing the Right Shutter System for Your Home
Not all shutters are created equal, and the right choice depends on several factors.
Level of protection
Some shutters are rated to withstand the most severe storm impacts and flying debris, while others provide only moderate defense.
Size and Shape
Larger or uniquely shaped openings may require custom solutions or additional reinforcements.
Ease of deployment
When a storm is approaching, the last thing you want is to be fumbling with unfamiliar hardware. Choose a shutter system that you can deploy quickly and confidently. Consider how much time, effort, or assistance is needed—some shutters may require tools, ladders, or professional help to install properly.
Aesthetic
Aesthetics will certainly impact your choice too, especially if the shutters are permanently visible or if you live in a neighborhood with design restrictions.
Cost
Cost and long-term value should be weighed carefully—not just in terms of upfront price, but also installation and upkeep.
Rolling Shutters: The Gold Standard in Convenience and Protection
Rolling shutters provide seamless, full-coverage protection that can be deployed quickly and easily, making them one of the best options for homeowners in hurricane-prone areas.
Upsides:
Can be activated manually or motorized, allowing for quick deployment before a storm.
Offers solid protection against wind, debris, and water intrusion.
Durable and long-lasting, making them a smart long-term investment.
Downsides:
Higher cost compared to other shutter types.
Require reinforcement for large windows to prevent crinkling under wind pressure.
We’d recommend rolling shutters for anyone who wants fast, reliable protection with minimal effort.
Corrugated Metal Panels: Budget-Friendly and Reliable
Corrugated metal panels are one of the most cost-effective shutter options while still providing strong protection.
Upsides:
Affordable
Highly effective against wind and flying debris.
Installed only when needed, preserving the home’s exterior aesthetic.
Downsides:
Require manual installation before each storm, which can be time-consuming or require professional installation.
Heavier panels can be difficult to handle alone.
Highly recommend corrugated metal panels if you're looking for a budget-friendly solution and don’t mind extra storm preparation.
Bahama Shutters: Permanent Shade and Protection
Bahama shutters, also sometimes referred to as Bermuda shutters, offer a tropical aesthetic appeal and functional storm protection while doubling as permanent sunshades.
Upsides:
Permanently fixed, meaning there’s no last-minute setup required.
Helps reduce glare and heat, keeping interiors cool year-round.
Downsides:
Less impact-resistant compared to rolling or metal panel shutters.
Not suitable for very large windows.
Suitable for anyone who wants a balance of style and moderate storm protection for smaller windows.
Accordion Shutters: A Practical Compromise
Accordion shutters fold neatly to the sides of windows when not in use and can be quickly pulled shut before a storm.
Upsides:
Easy to deploy, even for large windows.
Permanently attached, eliminating the need for storage.
Downsides:
Always visible on the exterior of the home.
May allow minor airflow gaps when closed.
We’d recommend accordion shutters if you’re seeking a middle ground between convenience and affordability.
Large Windows
For many homeowners in the Caribbean, large windows are a beautiful and must-have design feature—offering sweeping views of the ocean, blue skies, and tropical landscapes. But these oversized glass panels also create a greater vulnerability during a storm, requiring thoughtful planning when it comes to shutter protection.
For larger windows, we would usually opt for standard rolling shutters. However, rolling shutters over 4 meters wide can crinkle under wind pressure, pressing against the glass and increasing the risk of breakage.
Solution? Installing a temporary metal reinforcement rod down the center of the window before lowering the shutter in the event of a hurricane. This reinforcement adds structural stability, allowing the shutter to withstand high wind loads without flexing inward.
Hurricane-Rated Doors
While we’ve placed much of the focus on windows, doors are just as critical. A weak door can blow inward under high wind pressure, creating another possible breach point for wind and rain.
Best door protection includes:
Solid-core or impact-rated doors designed to resist wind pressure and flying debris.
Heavy-duty hinges and multi-point locking systems to prevent doors from being forced open.
Reinforced garage doors to keep wind pressure from entering and lifting the roof.
Investing in the Right Protection
In hurricane-prone regions, investing time, money and consideration in securing your home will always feel worth it when the time comes.
When it comes to choosing the right protection, we recommend carefully weighing each component— effectiveness, cost, aesthetics and convenience— with what’s right for you and your home in the long-term.
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