Forms of hurricane shutters include:

Roll Shutters – these are the easiest and most convenient to install.  They can be manually or mechanically operated.  Additionally, when rolled up they cause only minor visual impact to the home.
 
Colonial and Bahama Shutters - easy to use, these types of shutters also add eye-catching character to the home.  They close easily from the outside and protect the home from bad weather, break-ins, unwanted light and distracting noise.

Accordion Shutters -   Besides doing an outstanding job in weather protection, this form of shutter offers added security, light and noise defense as well and can quickly be shut.  However, professional installation is recommended as these shutters will be easily visible on the outside of the house. 

Storm Panels – These are a bit more difficult to install, although permanently placing them on the house decreases the need to put them up each year.  They cause a great deal of visual impact on the detail of the house, so careful installation is recommended.

Some types of hurricane shutters can add street appeal while others may detract from the visual impact.  Professional installation is recommended on some types of shutters to keep the architecture and lines of the home intact and to keep the shutters from detracting from the overall intended visual appearance.  Additionally, in cases where installation is not performed by a professional, prior planning, measuring and precise fitting will keep the outside appearance of the building from changing too much. 

There are shutters that come with installation hardware which can be permanently installed on the building.  The actual shutters can be put away when not in use and easily reattached to the permanently mounted hardware when impending weather approaches.  This is a smart approach for homeowners looking for a shutter that does not change the exterior feel of the home but still provides adequate protection against hurricanes.   

For other homeowners adding hurricane shutters that remain fixed to the house even during non hurricane weather can be a great opportunity to change the look and feel of the home’s exterior.  The right colors, textures and style of hurricane shutters are all variables that can be selected at the time of purchase to add value and curb-side appeal.