Copyright 2010 StormShutterServices.com Accordion Shutters, so named because of their resemblance to the  instrument, are strong Hurricane Protection. However, with a price  point approaching that of Roll Down Shutters, one must consider the  convenience and practicality factors. Accordion Shutters are manual  only operation, so chances are no one will ever use them as often as  Roll Downs, even a manual Roll Down is much more convenient  than an Accordion, especially when you add inside operation to  manual Roll Downs. If you plan on using your shutters for  Hurricane Protection only, this may not be a factor. But it has been  our experience that, once a person has Roll Down Shutters they find  themselves using them much more than they ever thought they would. For purposes as  simple as blocking the sun for shade, darkening rooms for sleep, protecting furniture from  the sun and security at night, as just a few examples. You more than likely will not use  Accordions for these purposes, it is just not practical to use them in this manner. Shorter  people may have a tougher time opening and closing tall Accordion Shutters, as they must  be balanced at the push/pull point, if they are pushed and pulled at the wrong points,  wheels in the top track will bind and even break. We have replaced many Accordion  wheels because of this and often times the whole unit must come down to replace one  wheel. Accordions do not block light or keep water out as well as Roll Down Shutters. In  Lanai or entry areas, bottom track must be attached to floors, while these are made to be  removable, it is still one more step that that must be taken to deploy when need.  Accordions have their place in Storm Protection, they are sometimes the only answer  when a Roll Down cannot be used because of overhead restrictions.  $16 per sq. ft.          Installed StormShutterServices.com Hurricane - Storm - Security - Protection Fabrication - Installation - Service Serving Cape Coral - Fort Myers - Naples - Port Charlotte and surrounding communities. “27 Years Of Owner Construction Experience”