Hurricane Shutters for Historic Homes: Protecting Character Without Compromising Code

The Unique Challenge of Protecting Historic Homes from Hurricanes

Owners of historic homes face a difficult balancing act during hurricane season. On one hand, Florida building codes require adequate wind and impact protection for all structures in hurricane-prone zones. On the other hand, historic preservation boards and local ordinances often restrict the types of modifications that can be made to architecturally significant properties. The result is a narrow path between compliance and preservation — and hurricane shutters are often the best way to walk it.

Whether your home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, located in a locally designated historic district, or simply a cherished older property with architectural character, choosing the right hurricane shutters can protect both your safety and your home's heritage. In this guide, we'll explore the best shutter options for historic homes and how to work with preservation boards to get approval.

Why Hurricane Shutters Are Ideal for Historic Homes

Unlike impact windows, which require permanent removal and replacement of original window frames and glass, hurricane shutters can be installed as an add-on system that leaves the original architecture intact. When the storm passes, many shutter types can be opened, retracted, or removed entirely — restoring the home's original appearance. This non-invasive approach is often the key to winning approval from historic preservation boards.

Colonial Shutters: The Classic Choice for Historic Properties

Colonial shutters are arguably the most popular choice for historic homes, and for good reason. These side-hinged panels mount on either side of the window and swing closed when a storm approaches. When open, they look like traditional decorative shutters — a style that has graced American homes since the 1700s. Many historic preservation boards readily approve colonial shutters because they complement and even enhance the period-appropriate look of older homes.

At Shutters By Empire, our colonial shutters are Miami-Dade County approved and meet Florida Building Code requirements for hurricane protection, so you get genuine storm safety in a historically appropriate package. They're available in a range of colors to match your home's existing palette.

Bahama Shutters: Tropical Heritage Meets Storm Protection

For historic homes with Caribbean, Key West, or tropical architectural influences, Bahama shutters are an excellent fit. These top-hinged shutters prop outward at an angle, providing shade and ventilation during everyday use and dropping flat against the window for storm protection. Bahama shutters have been a fixture of tropical architecture for centuries, making them a natural and historically consistent choice for coastal properties with that style.

Empire's Bahama shutters are engineered for Florida Building Code compliance and come in aluminum construction that resists corrosion from salt air — an important consideration for historic coastal properties where longevity and low maintenance matter.

Accordion Shutters: A Practical Compromise

While accordion shutters have a more modern appearance than colonial or Bahama styles, they offer practical advantages that may appeal to historic homeowners. They fold neatly to the sides of windows when not in use and can be deployed quickly without ladders or tools. For historic homes where shutters will primarily be used during storm events and stored open the rest of the time, their compact folded profile can be relatively unobtrusive.

Some preservation boards may approve accordion shutters for rear or side elevations of historic homes, even if they prefer more traditional styles for street-facing windows. This mixed approach allows homeowners to get the best of both worlds — traditional aesthetics on the front of the home with maximum convenience on less visible sides.

Working with Historic Preservation Boards

If your home is in a designated historic district, you'll likely need approval from a local Historic Preservation Board (HPB) or Architectural Review Board (ARB) before installing hurricane shutters. Here are some tips for a smooth approval process:

Start early. Don't wait until a storm is approaching. Board meetings are typically monthly, and applications may require lead time for review. Begin the process well before hurricane season.

Present options. Show the board exactly what each shutter type looks like — both open and closed. Bring color samples and product specifications. Boards are more likely to approve when they can see that the shutters complement the home's character.

Emphasize reversibility. Highlight that hurricane shutters are a non-permanent, reversible modification. Unlike replacement windows or structural changes, shutters can be removed in the future without altering the original building envelope.

Consider a mixed approach. Propose colonial or Bahama shutters for primary (street-facing) elevations and more utilitarian options like accordion shutters or storm panels for secondary elevations. This demonstrates sensitivity to aesthetics while ensuring complete protection.

Get professional documentation. A letter from a licensed contractor confirming that the shutters meet Florida Building Code requirements can help your case, as boards want to see that safety needs are genuinely being addressed.

Florida Building Code Requirements for Historic Structures

Florida's building code applies to all structures in the Wind-Borne Debris Region, including historic homes. While the Florida Historical Building Code (FHBC) provides some flexibility for historic structures, it does not exempt them from wind protection requirements. Hurricane shutters are often the most straightforward way for historic homeowners to comply with these requirements without triggering more invasive modifications.

All hurricane shutters from Shutters By Empire are tested and approved to meet or exceed Florida Building Code standards, giving you documented compliance that satisfies both building officials and insurance companies.

Protect Your Historic Home with Shutters By Empire

At Shutters By Empire, we understand that your historic home is more than a building — it's a piece of architectural heritage. That's why we offer a range of hurricane shutter styles designed to protect your property while respecting its character. From colonial and Bahama shutters that blend seamlessly with traditional architecture to practical accordion options for less visible elevations, we have solutions for every historic home.

All of our shutters are manufactured at our factory in Sunrise, Florida, and are Miami-Dade County and Florida Building Code approved. We ship nationwide and offer factory-direct pricing with no middleman markup.

Call us at 1-888-474-3555 or email info@hurricaneshuttersflorida.com to discuss the best hurricane shutter options for your historic property. Visit ShuttersByEmpire.com to browse our full selection of colonial, Bahama, accordion, and other shutter styles.