A combination of shutter types can be used to protect a home against hurricane winds.

Questions to ask when shopping for shutters: What is your price range? Will you be installing the shutters yourself? How easy are they to use? Where and how will you store them?

Consider, too, the window's height and location. Second-story windows need shutters that can be closed from inside.

Be sure that shutters carry the Miami-Dade County hurricane product approval seal.

For a comprehensive list of licensed contractors and shutters approved for high velocity hurricane zones by the Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office, go to miamidade.gov/buildingcode or dial 311 to have a county representative help you. Broward County abides by Miami-Dade's standards.

Prices include installation.

TYPE OF SHUTTER	Impact-resistant glass	Colonial shutters	Bahama shutters	Hurricane screens	Lexan clear plastic panels
PRICE	$30-150 per square ft.	$22-28 per square ft.	$22-28 per square ft.	$10-20 per square ft.	$12-16 per square ft.
PROS	Attractive, permanent; adds security	Side-hinged and easy to use; attractive	Easy to use; provides shade, security	Some are permanently installed; adds security	Lighter, transparent
CONS	Expensive; can dent	Must close, open from outside	Obscures view permanently	Impractical for small windows. Some must be put up for each storm.	May not work with all systems; must be put up and taken down.

TYPE OF SHUTTER	Roll-up shutters	Accordion shutters	Steel panels	Aluminum panels	Plywood
PRICE	$32-36 per square ft. (+ $300-500 if motorized)	$12-17 per square ft.	$4-8 per square ft. (direct mount or tracks)	$5-9 per square foot	About $14 for 4- x 8-foot sheet of plywood only
PROS	Ideal for hard-to-reach areas. Easy to use	Can be shut, opened quickly from inside house; can be locked for security	Sturdy, inexpensive	Lighter, but an 84-inch door panel still weighs 13.3 pounds	Inexpensive
CONS	Expensive; box can be unsightly if not built-in	Needs yearly cleaning, lubrication	Heavy. An 84-inch door panel weighs 17.3 pounds	Must be put up, taken down every storm; sharp edges	Time and labor intensive; risk of flying off if not installed correctly

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