After what turned out to be a devastating hurricane season in 2017, it stands to reason that more homeowners are wondering about storm and security shutters. If you are one of the unfortunate people who raced to the lumber yard for plywood only to find it was gone already or the price was crazy, you might be thinking about other types of shutters to be ready for next season. On top of that, consider that plywood hurricane shutters do not meet most building codes. Getting them installed correctly is no picnic either. Unless you have hurricane glass or can swing the high cost to retrofit your home, you will find that the best shutter solution is either accordion hurricane shutters or roll-down shutters. Here are some pros and cons for each to aid in your decision-making:

• Accordion Shutters: With this style of shutters, the housing for the shutter is to the side of the window or door it is installed to protect. They are very easy to operate, needing just one person to put in place and your entire home can be ready in about half an hour, depending on its size and number of openings. Some types can also be secured with locks, which makes your home more secure against burglars as well as storms. Some people feel that accordion shutters aren’t aesthetically pleasing as their bulkiness can look odd on some homes.

• Roll-Up Shutters: These differ from accordion shutters in that the housing is above the opening where it is less noticeable, so it may be more aesthetically pleasing. This type of shutter is exceptional for security purposes. There are two types to consider – powered and manual. Both allow for one-person operation with the powered going quicker. If going with motorized, choose a product that either has a battery backup or ability to use manually should the power be out. Motorized is a great idea if you plan to use your shutters more often than just storms, such as to provide privacy or have more energy efficiency.

Look for a local window treatment company for more information on roll up shutters, rolling shutters, and accordion shutters. They can help explain the various types and options so that you can make a well-informed decision about which is best for your needs.