Coastal homes have long found exterior Bahama shutters beneficial to enhance and preserve a comfortable tropical lifestyle. The iconic design of this alternative louvered shutter style is both attractive and practical for hot, humid climates.
Tropical Bahama shutters are designed to cover a full window and suspend from the top with a hinge. They can utilize vertical sub-stiles that allow the panels to be constructed much wider than standard colonial-style louvered shutters. Support arms simultaneously extend from the building to brace the bottom of the exterior shutter away from the house and lock at the desired angle. The awning-like installation of Bermuda shutters creates a shade over the window during peak hours to block intense heat.
Homeowners typically leave Bahama shutters propped open between a 30 to 45-degree angle. From inside the house, the support arms—or stays—can be quickly released, allowing the shutters to close flush against the window. In the closed position, Bahama shutters disrupt sight lines to provide privacy from neighbors and passersby.
Beyond privacy, Bahama shutters can also deliver superior hurricane protection against tropical storms. Their slanted louvers deflect rainwater away from the window while helping shield against high winds and airborne debris. The level of protection depends on the shutter material: wood and PVC models offer moderate defense, while aluminum hurricane shutters are specifically engineered for impact resistance.
Even when fully closed, Bahama shutters do not create a completely dark interior. For homeowners seeking maximum light control, pairing them with interior shutters or window treatments provides a more effective solution.
Open louvers are set at consistent intervals and angled to deflect harsh sunlight away from the structure while encouraging cooling breezes to circulate through the home. This natural ventilation provides an energy-efficient method of climate control, reducing reliance on air conditioning and lowering utility costs. Fixed louvers also allow for partial visibility, allowing a semi-obstructed view through the openings.
Vertical sub-stiles divide Bahama shutters into multiple horizontal louvered sections, enabling panels to span widths greater than traditional colonial-style exterior shutters. This design element is a distinguishing feature unique to the Bahama style. When a shutter exceeds a set width limit, one or more sub-stiles are required, based on the material limitation. Windows in excess of the maximum width need to use multiple exterior Bermuda shutters.
Most Bahama-style shutters are installed to cover the full height of the window and optimize full functionality. Bahama shutters are occasionally mounted to overhang only the top portion of the window, like an awning. This modification decreases the sun protection but increases visibility through the window.
ShutterLand exterior Bahama shutters are built for strength and longevity with solid components cut to precise lengths. The joints between side stiles and horizontal rails of wood and PVC shutter are doweled, glued, and secured with a screw. Corners of aluminum shutters are joined with nylon keys, structural adhesive, and 0.1875″ rivets. Louvers suspend between the stiles. Custom sizes are offered so the exterior shutters perfectly fit each window. DIY building projects are found to be challenging for most homeowners.
Exterior Bermuda shutters are perfect for houses and businesses located in warm, balmy climates nestled near the saltwater. Their distinguished seaside qualities are particularly favored in the southern states of California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The strength and whimsy of these tropical exterior shutters are also widely desired in the Caribbean islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda.
ShutterLand manufactures outdoor solid wood shutters from three premium species – Red Grandis, Cedar, and Mahogany. All wood Bermuda shutters are kiln-dried and responsibly sourced from SFI-certified forests.
Red Grandis shutters are similar to Mahogany in composition and life expectancy. The beautiful timber is preferred by home improvement professionals and novices who seek high-performance exterior Bermuda shutters at a slightly lower cost.
Cedar shutters garner the most attention of all exterior construction materials. This coniferous tree is consistently selected to build outside Bermuda shutters. The impressive performance of Cedar is why homeowners keep choosing this hardy resource. Solid Bermuda Cedar shutters paint well and deliver years of reliable service.
Mahogany shutters are noticeably dense and heavy. The wood naturally repels moisture and prevails in harsh salt-air climates. The long-lasting, rigid forms are a strong defense against natural tropical elements.
Because Bahama shutters are most often installed in humid, tropical climates, heavy-duty PVC is an outstanding material choice. The manufacturing process produces an exceptionally straight and dense product that performs reliably. Unlike wood, PVC will not rot, mold, or absorb moisture, and its finish holds up for many years with minimal maintenance. As a result, PVC Bahama shutters deliver long-lasting durability and extended life expectancy in virtually any environment.
Aluminum is an exceptional material to protect windows from hurricanes and tropical storms. Aluminum hurricane Bahama shutters are also beautiful, with straight lines and a smooth surface. For the best results, follow the measuring instructions for Bahama aluminum shutters before ordering, and installation instructions for aluminum Bahama shutters after delivery.
Determination of the best exterior shutter material is based on each individual application.
Vinyl shutters do not have the structural fortitude to withstand the rigors required of a functional shutter. Vinyl panels only have a front and four sides. They are constructed with a hollow back, so they cannot be hinged and lack independent rigidity. Vinyl Bahama shutters are simply not practical.
Composite shutters are built with false louvers. The slats are milled in banks from a single sheet, so there is no space in between. Also, the backs of composite shutters are flat with no detail. So, for these reasons, the material is not suitable for the construction of Bahama shutters.
Paint colors of exterior Bahama shutters often integrate the surrounding culture. ShutterLand can custom-match any color necessary to complete your coastal home. Cottages, bungalows, mansions, and resorts in Miami and Key West, Florida, frequently utilize pastels like green, yellow, blue, or pink. Apartments, duplexes, and estates in New Orleans, Louisiana, the selections may be darker hues of green, blue, black, and red. Many other waterfront homes in cities like Myrtle Beach, San Diego, and the more northern Sea Isle City or Cape Cod employ the universally fashionable white shutters. ShutterLand has nine standard paints and unlimited custom color options for wood and PVC selections. Aluminum shutters are available in 20 standard RAL exterior shutter colors.
All ShutterLand exterior shutters are affordably priced for the American homeowner. You will need only the width and height to get an instant online price quote for exterior shutters. The full price is displayed in the shopping cart.
Bahama shutters are intended to hang in front of and cover the entire window. The shutters should then measure slightly larger than the opening. Review how to measure for Bahama shutters to obtain the optimum size.
Install Bahama shutters with a hinge that attaches to the top and support arms to extend the shutters away from the window at the bottom. The devices work in tandem for complete versatility. The step-by-step Bahama shutter installation guide is comprehensive for full understanding.
Purchasing used Bahama shutters may be an option, but recycled panels rarely come up for sale. There is no standard window size, so obtaining the size and quantity needed could be extremely difficult.
If your cabana, gazebo, or full house could benefit from the installation of exterior house shutters, we are here to help. ShutterLand provides detailed specifications for all products and directs you to find the best solution for your application.
