What this guide covers: Bahama and Bermuda shutters (the same product under two names) sit in the middle of the hurricane shutter price range, above panels and accordions, below motorized roll-downs. This guide breaks down what drives the price up or down on a Brevard County home, what a typical whole-home project looks like, and where homeowners most often over- or under-spend.
Price is the first question almost every Melbourne and Palm Bay homeowner asks, and the honest answer is that it depends on your openings. But “it depends” is not useful when you are budgeting, so here is what actually moves the number.
✔ Written, Itemized Quotes
✔ Insurance Discount Eligible
The Seven Things That Drive Your Price
1. Opening Size
The single biggest factor. Shutters are custom-built to each window, so a wide picture window costs substantially more than a standard bedroom window. Wider spans also need heavier framing and stronger support arms, which compounds the cost.
2. Number of Openings
Per-window cost usually drops as the count rises, since mobilization, measuring, and permitting are spread across the job. Protecting eight windows at once is meaningfully cheaper per window than doing two now and six next year.
3. Louver Style: Fixed vs Operable
Fixed louvers sit at a set angle and cost less. Operable louvers let you adjust light and airflow and carry a premium. On a shaded north-facing wall, fixed louvers are often the smarter spend.
4. Material and Gauge
Nearly all storm-rated Bahama shutters in Florida are extruded aluminum. Heavier gauge means higher wind rating and higher price. On coastal homes in Satellite Beach or Cocoa Beach, the heavier spec is usually worth it for salt-air longevity as much as for wind.
5. Finish and Color
Standard powder-coat colors are included in most quotes. Custom colors, wood-grain finishes, or color-matching to an HOA palette add cost and lead time.
6. Wall Type and Mounting Conditions
Concrete block, wood frame, and stucco-over-frame each need different anchoring. Second-story openings, tight side-yard access, or existing decorative shutters that must be removed all add labor.
7. Permitting and Engineering
Brevard County and its municipalities require permits for hurricane shutter installation. Permit fees and, on some homes, an engineering attachment detail are legitimate line items. A quote that omits permitting entirely is a warning sign, not a bargain.
Where Bahama Shutters Sit in the Price Range
| Shutter Type | Relative Cost | Adds Curb Appeal | Everyday Use Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Panels | Lowest | ✘ No | None |
| Accordion | Low – Moderate | ✘ No | Low |
| Bahama / Bermuda | Moderate – High | ✔ Best | High (shade daily) |
| Motorized Roll-Down | Highest | Good | High (privacy, shade) |
For a full breakdown of every shutter category, see our guide to hurricane shutter types. If you are weighing shutters against windows entirely, our impact window cost guide covers that comparison.
How to Get the Most Value Per Dollar
- Put Bahama shutters where they are seen and where sun hits. Front elevation and west-facing windows earn their keep twice, in curb appeal and cooling.
- Mix product types. Most homeowners do not use one style everywhere. Bahamas on the front, accordions or panels on the back and garage.
- Do the whole house at once if you can. Per-opening cost drops, and partial protection may not qualify for the full insurance credit.
- Choose fixed louvers where you never need to adjust them. Save the operable upgrade for windows you actually look through.
- Factor the insurance credit into the real cost. Details on our Brevard County insurance discount page.
Local insight: The most common budgeting mistake we see in Brevard County is protecting every window and leaving the garage door. For insurance purposes the home is only as protected as its weakest opening, and the garage is usually the largest one. If budget is tight, we would rather see you use panels on a few back windows and properly address the garage than put premium shutters everywhere except the biggest hole in the building.
Want Your Actual Number, Not a Range?
Every home is different. We measure your openings, walk your exposure, and give you a written itemized quote with no obligation. Most Melbourne and Palm Bay homeowners have it within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bahama Shutter Cost
Are Bahama shutters more expensive than accordion shutters?
Generally yes. Accordion shutters are the value option for whole-home coverage, while Bahama shutters cost more because each unit is custom-built as an architectural feature. Many homeowners split the difference by using Bahamas on visible elevations and accordions elsewhere.
Do Bermuda shutters cost more than Bahama shutters?
No. They are the same product under two regional names, so the pricing is identical. If two quotes differ, the difference is in size, gauge, louver style, or finish, not the terminology.
Does the price include permits and installation?
Our written quotes itemize product, installation, and permitting so you can see exactly what you are paying for. Be cautious of any quote that leaves permitting out, since unpermitted work can create problems at resale and with your insurer.
Will Bahama shutters pay for themselves?
They offset cost three ways: the wind mitigation insurance credit, reduced cooling load from continuous shade, and added resale appeal. Whether that fully offsets the purchase depends on your premium, your exposure, and how long you stay in the home.
Can I protect part of my home now and finish later?
Yes, and many homeowners phase the work. Understand two tradeoffs: per-opening cost is higher when phased, and most insurance credits require every opening to be protected before they apply.
Serving the Entire Space Coast
Brevard Hurricane Protection provides free, written, itemized estimates for Bahama and Bermuda shutters across Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Titusville, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Viera, Merritt Island, and surrounding Brevard County communities. All installations are permitted, performed by licensed and insured contractors, and documented for your wind mitigation inspection.
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