Shutter Types

Key Features Accordions Roll Down Bahama / Colonial Cat5 Storm Tex Panels Clear Flat
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Description Aluminum slat folding shutter system that moves horizontally and folds out of the way on either side of the opening. The Nautilus rolling shutters can be used for both hurricane protection as well as securing businesses from theft and vandalism. They can be ordered to come down manually, electrically, or gear operated.

Bahamas: adds a decorative look to hurricane protection. This style is very popular in the islands, where the shutter is used to shade and keep rain out of screened openings.

Colonials: Authentic swinging shutters fold back to the sides of the windows. Available in louvered and raised panels made of aluminum.

Lightweight flexible screen. Attached with straps and buckles to the wall, eave, or beams using large eyebolts or ground anchor screws. Cat 5 Screens can be made with a hood or made to be removed with a storage bag to be kept elsewhere. Doubles as a retractable hurricane screen and as a roll down privacy and shading screen. We have three different types of panels: steel, aluminum, and clear. These are the most cost effective products we have to offer, however they require more labor for install. They are installed with either a track system or with hardware. This is a flat sheet of UV-protected polycarbonate. These can be custom fit to your hurricane protection needs. Perfect for irregular shaped windows.
Price (square footage)
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change. This is the average square footage price within the industry at this time.

$20-25 for professional install

Not available for DIY

Square footage price cannot be determined due to multiple factors that contribute to the pricing.

Not available for DIY

Bahamas: $55-60 for professional install

Colonials: $60-65 for professional install

Not available for DIY

$12-20 for professional installation.

Not available for DIY

Square footage price cannot be determined due to multiple factors that contribute to the pricing.

Not available for DIY

Steel: $10-14 for professional install

Aluminum (.050): $12-18 for professional install

Clear: $16-20 for professional install

Not available for DIY

$16-20 for professional install

Not available for DIY

Pros Moderate priced, easily covers large openings; offers excellent protection from flying debris. Can be closed in seconds, deploys faster than most other systems. Offers increased security by providing locks. Can be used for upper windows & operated from the inside, if the building has single/double hung or sliding windows or in-swing or sliding glass doors. Commonly used to enclose entire balconies. Motorized systems can be automated by using timers, remote controls, or even cellphone or computer-operated systems. Offer good security for absentee owners or properties that are in evacuation zones. One of the better systems for resisting water intrusion, when using unvented slats. Can be manually operated from inside, so is suitable for all styles of operable or fixed windows and in-swing or out-swing doors.

Bahamas / Colonials : Due the decorative look these shutters are widely accepted where historical or architectural review committees strictly control aesthetics. Permanently mounted and usually only takes a screwdriver to attach the additional locking hardware. Adds a decorative accent to existing structures.

Bahama: One other benefit of this system is shading the window which can significantly reduce energy costs.

Lightest weight protection product on the market. Capable of easily covering large areas at a relatively low cost. Easily folds/rolls up for storage: some manufacturers provide storage bags with orders. The systems will prevent wind and water intrusion, even in the event of glass breakage from flying debris.

Fully motorized screen system that offers both hurricane protection as well as solar, wind, privacy, and comfort control instantly. Can reach large spans and with an efficient roll diameter.

Manual or motorized options: Hand crank, with removable crank, Remote control options, Smart home integration, Obstacle Detection System

Steel: Inexpensive system with good protection. Easy to deploy when used with track systems.

Aluminum (.050): Lighter weight metal panel option than steel with good protection. Corrosion-resistant when stored dry and separated from concrete floor

Clear: Corrosion-resistant; allows light inside: lighter than steel or aluminum.

Corrosion and UV resistant (XL-10 and MR-10); optically clear allows light inside. Can be left in place year-round, except on bedroom windows unless there are two ways to get out in the event of an emergency. Perfect for unique shaped windows. (ex. arches or octagon shaped windows)
Cons Adds material around openings that is sometimes viewed as unattractive. Needs regular maintenance and cleaning to keep the system from seizing or freezing up. Cannot usually be installed on brick. Heaviest slat on the market and will require motors at around 45 sq. ft., which increases the cost. Requires vertical storm bars to keep the slats from being pulled out of the track system for large spans or high design pressures. Large hoods are not easy to hide and can be unattractive. Cannot usually be installed on brick. Most of these systems must be closed and secured from the outside, which makes this an impractical system above the first floor. This is one of the most expensive shutter systems on the market. The reinforcing in the screen is sewn; stitching can break down from long UV exposure weakening the system. Large Screens may require 2 or more persons to deploy. Not easy to install for openings above the first floor. Not recommended for installation on the edges of cantilevered concrete decks or balconies unless the design is inspected by an engineer. Cannot usually be installed on brick. This product may be considered less rigid in comparison to our other aluminum products. It is also one of the pricier hurricane shutter products on the market.

Steel: The heavier weight panels offer better protection but can be hard to handle in longer lengths or if trying to carry several panels at one time. Panels may corrode if improperly stored. Allows very little light inside

Aluminum (.050): Lighter weight metal panel option than steel with good protection. Corrosion-resistant when stored dry and separated from concrete floor

Clear: Corrosion-resistant; allows light inside: lighter than steel or aluminum.

If you decide to leave the panel fixed on the house, there will be limited air flow if you decide to open the window.
Advance Deployment Time Needed Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or sheltering in place. Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or sheltering in place. Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or sheltering in place. If stored in a bag, it must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm-force winds arrive. Since the system is permanently mounted it can be closed very quickly, allowing more time to prepare for evacuation or sheltering in place. After permanent anchors or track systems are installed, it could take as little as 10 minutes per opening to install. If you decide to not leave it permanently, it could take as little as 5 minutes per opening.
Insurance Discounts
Water Penetration Resistance May reduce water penetration by reducing the amount of water being blown against windows or doors. However, may not significantly reduce water penetration under high pressures, unless mounted on the edge of a porch or balcony several feet away from the opening being protected. May reduce water penetration by reducing the amount of water being blown against windows or doors. However, may not significantly reduce water penetration under high pressures, unless mounted on the edge of a porch or balcony several feet away from the opening being protected. Does not significantly reduce water penetration. Open louver systems or perforated panel backs will allow rain to run-off, which creates opportunity for window and door leaks. May reduce water penetration by reducing the amount of water being blown against windows or doors, particularly if installed some distance away. May reduce water penetration by reducing the amount of water being blown against windows or doors, particularly if installed some distance away. May reduce water penetration by reducing the amount of water being blown against window or door. May reduce water penetration by reducing the amount of water being blown against window or door.
Porous or Non-Porous Does not keep wind pressure from building up on windows or doors. Generally, all systems are considered non-porous. Does not keep wind pressure from building up on windows or doors. Generally, all systems are considered non-porous. Does not keep wind pressure from building up on windows or doors. Generally, all systems are considered non-porous since the open weave is less than 10% ventilated. Does not keep wind pressure from building up on windows or doors. Generally, all systems are considered non-porous since the open weave is less than 10% ventilated. It is 9% porous. Therefore, considered non-porous since the open weave is less than 10% ventilated. Does not keep wind pressure from building up on windows or doors. Generally, all systems are considered non-porous. Does not keep wind pressure from building up on windows or doors. Generally, all systems are considered non-porous.
Operation Pull the shutter sections together to shut and engage either the locking pins, locks or both depending upon the system’s design. Pull down, manually crank, or activate the motor using a switch or remote option.

Bahamas: Shutters use a telescoping arm with a locking thumb screw to hold them open.

Colonials: Shutters use a spring clip to hold them open. Closures will require additional bars that is stored when not in use.

Loops, buckles, straps, carabineers, clips, or grommets secure the system to permanent or removable anchor systems. Activate the motor using a switch or remote option to close the shutter when a storm is coming. Must be taken out of storage and carried to each opening. Deploy well before tropical storm-force winds arrive. May be permanently installed over windows that do not provide emergency escape from bedrooms. Removable panels must be stored and carried to each opening for deployment.
Colors These hurricane shutters come in four different colors. These colors include: white, ivory, beige, and bronze, These hurricane shutters come in four different colors. These colors include: white, ivory, beige, and bronze, The Bahama and Colonial hurricane shutters come in 14 standard colors, 11 upcharge colors, or the color can be color matched to any custom color. The hurricane screens come in white, tan/white, tan/black, and black/white. The Storm Tex hurricane shutters come in 3 colors for screen and 6 colors for frame (custom colors can be used for an upcharge) Not applicable. Not applicable.
Florida Building Code

Florida Building Code approved.

Florida Building Code approved.

Florida Building Code approved.

Florida Building Code approved.

Florida Building Code approved.

Florida Building Code approved.

Florida Building Code approved.