How Much Do Hurricane Shutters Cost in 2024?

Hurricane Shutters Cost Factors

Hurricane shutters feature specialized engineering and installation to ensure they withstand high windows and other damaging effects of major storms. The total cost of these systems depends on the total window space, where you live, and the shutter material.

Number of Windows

The number of windows in your home that need hurricane shutters affects the total materials and labor required for your project. Most homes have between 10 and 15 windows total, with the number of windows naturally increasing for homes with higher square footage. Consider that standard entry doors and sliding glass doors may also need hurricane shutters.

See total cost ranges based on shutters for averaged-sized windows.

Window Size

Hurricane shutters range from $10 to $60 per square foot. Shutters for most windows are about 24 inches wide by 42 inches tall or about seven square feet, meaning standard shutters cost between $70 to $420 each. 

Expect to see greater price variations if your windows don’t fall within average ranges—standardized window sizes encompass a wide range of dimensions and square footage, generally between 24 and 48 inches wide by 36 to 73 inches tall. Standardized sizes vary for different window types, such as sliding windows, casement windows, picture windows, bay windows, and more. 

Labor

Hurricane shutter installation costs vary based on complexity and local labor rates. Contractor rates average between $45 and $100 per hour, with an estimated 60 minutes per window. As such, labor fees range between $450 and $1,500 for a home with 10 to 15 standard windows.

Accessibility or customization challenges may add complexity and overall labor required. Some examples include:

• Multi-level homes

• Non-standard window sizes

• Non-standard window shapes

• Electrical wiring

Location

Geographic area is the biggest influence on installation labor rates—in general, population-dense areas with a high cost of living have correspondingly higher labor rates than rural, low cost areas. Many areas are more prone to storms than others and often require storm shutters according to local regulations, such as Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, putting contractors in higher demand and driving labor rates up.

Material

Shutter costs range significantly depending on the material. Some shutter styles are only available in certain materials—for example, accordion shutters are usually only made from metal, and roll-down shutters are the only style available in polycarbonate.

Additional Hurricane Shutters Cost Factors

Hurricane shutter installation costs may be subject to other factors, such as permit regulations and insurance discounts.

Permits

Depending on your location, local regulations or homeowner’s associations (HOAs) may require you to obtain a permit before installing hurricane shutters. Permits cost between $50 and $200.

Customizations

Custom designs and features add to the total cost of hurricane shutters. For example, motorized shutters add convenience but cost $50 to $175 per square foot or $185 to $1,225 per window to account for wiring, motors, and wall switch installation. Custom-sized or shaped window shutters increase total costs, as do customized finishes, mounting hardware, and other details.

Insurance

Insurance companies may offer discounts for homes with hurricane shutters, offsetting some of the installation cost long-term. In some cases, these insurance companies are obligated to offer discounts to homes in storm-prone areas. The total discount you’re entitled to depends on location, your home’s overall level of storm protection, home value, and the specific insurance company.

Hurricane Shutters Cost by Type

Hurricane shutters come in different styles and types, each serving the same purpose but offering different features, advantages, drawbacks, and overall costs between $10 and $60 per square foot. Each type has various specifications for the type of material, hardware, mechanisms, and installation requirements.

Shutters are also available as either temporary or permanent options. Temporary shutters usually involve installing mounting mechanisms around your windows and keeping the shutters stored elsewhere until needed. They’re more affordable but less convenient since they take time to set up before a storm. Permanent shutters mount to the outside of your home and deploy immediately, whether manually or by a motor, but may be more expensive to install.

Most shutter types are rated for protection against major storms, but it’s best to check with your contractor or manufacturer in case your area is subject to particular regulations, such as High Velocity Hurricane Zones building codes in Florida.

Accordion

Accordion shutters are a permanent option that costs between $15 and $25 per square foot. They’re typically made from aluminum or steel and expand on a track in an accordion-like motion to slide into place during storms. While not always aesthetically pleasing, accordion shutters are affordable options that are especially convenient for doors or tall windows where pulling shutters across is easier than pulling them down. Plus, they slide into a metal box on the side of the window when not in use.

Roll-Down

Also called rolling or roll-up shutters, roll-down shutters cost $25 to $60 per square foot. Installed above or below the window or door, these permanent shutters work with a mechanism similar to garage doors and roll up or down along tracks as needed.

Roll-down shutters are popular with homeowners for their robust protection and easy use. They’re available with either a manual crank or a switch or smartphone-operated motor and made from metal or polycarbonate.

Bahama

Made from aluminum, wood, or composite, Bahama shutters average $20 to $50 per square foot. Sometimes known as clamshell shutters, these are an older style of storm shutter that’s permanently mounted on a top hinge. When open, they sit like an awning at a 45-degree angle. Bahama shutters are visually appealing and allow for better privacy, and some have louvers or movable slats to allow more light in.

Colonial

Colonial shutters range from $25 to $50 per square foot. Made from aluminum, colonial shutters permanently mount on hinges on the side of a window or door to swing open and closed. Available in single, bi-folding, or tri-folding designs, colonial windows have a versatile and decorative look. Some designs also feature louvered or board-and-batten styles.

Storm Panels

Storm panels cost between $10 and $20 per square foot. While it’s possible to permanently install storm panels on a track or with other mounting options, most homeowners use them as an affordable option for temporary use. They’re typically made from either steel, aluminum, clear polycarbonate, or fabric.

Hurricane Shutters Replacement vs. Repair

Hurricane shutters withstand high stress from severe storms, which eventually results in wear and damage. Issues such as rusted track wheels, damaged locking mechanisms, dented slats, and missing fasteners are common issues that may only require basic maintenance or minor shutter repair and likely don’t justify the cost of total replacement.

Excessive rust and corrosion, repeated storm damage, and overall deterioration can limit the protection of your storm shutters. Cracks, warping, holes, and other damage suggest that the shutters have lost their integrity and leave your home vulnerable to storm damage. New shutters may also offer improved materials or automated features.

Do Hurricane Shutters Increase Home Value?

Hurricane shutters often increase home value to appraisers. They especially add value in areas with frequent and severe storms since they’re a must-have addition, even if not required by regulations. Hurricane shutters offer these valuable advantages:

• Reduced risk of storm-related injury to household members

• Protect windows from shattering

• Prevent damage to your home’s interior and belongings

• Enhanced home security

• Improved curb appeal

• Potential home insurance discounts

Budgeting for Installing Hurricane Shutters

Budgeting for your hurricane shutter installation requires careful consideration of the best value for your investment. While affordable seems more appealing, cutting costs in key aspects may limit the protection of your shutters and result in consequently increased risk of damage, injury, and costs. Follow these tips to streamline your costs while optimizing protection:

• Get quotes from multiple contractors and compare the details of each estimate.

• Arrange for installation during slow or off-season to access discounted labor rates.

• Choose a style and material that suits your home to maximize curb appeal.

• Opt for a home insurance company that offers higher discounts for storm protection.

• Don’t skip any windows—leaving even one exposed may result in higher repair costs that outweigh another shutter.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects