How Much Do Hurricane Shutters Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Living along the coast can be incredible, but when hurricane season arrives, it's essential to protect your home from severe weather. Most homeowners spend an average of $3,659 on hurricane shutters, with costs ranging from $1,473 to $5,856, though you could pay as little as $255 or as much as $11,000. Expect to pay between $2 and $60 per square foot, depending on the type and material.

Factors like your location, the size and number of windows, and the materials you choose influence the total cost. Hiring a professional hurricane shutter installer will get the job done right and will help you get the best protection for your investment.

Hurricane Shutters Cost Factors

Hurricane shutters are specially engineered to withstand high winds and the damaging effects of major storms. The total cost depends on factors like the number of windows you have, where you live, and the shutter material.

Number of Windows

The number of windows you need to cover will directly impact your total materials and labor costs. Most homes have between 10 and 15 windows, and larger homes have even more. Don't forget that standard entry doors and sliding glass doors may also need hurricane shutters or other storm protection.

Window Size

Hurricane shutters cost $2 to $60 per square foot. Shutters for most windows are about 24 inches wide by 42 inches tall, or about seven square feet.

Expect to see greater price variations if your windows don’t fall within average ranges. Standard 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

Professional installation costs vary based on the complexity of the job and local labor rates. On average, you’ll pay between $45 and $100 per hour, and it takes about an hour to install shutters on each window. So, for a home with 10 to 15 standard windows, labor fees range from $450 to $1,500.

If your home has accessibility challenges or custom features, you might see higher labor costs. These include:

• Multi-level homes

• Non-standard window sizes or shapes

• Electrical wiring considerations

Location

Where you live significantly affects installation labor rates. In areas with a higher cost of living, like big cities, you'll likely pay more for labor than in rural areas. If you're in a storm-prone state like Florida, Texas, or North Carolina, local regulations might require storm shutters. This increases demand for contractors and can drive labor rates up.

Material

Shutter costs vary widely depending on the material you choose. Some styles are only available in specific materials—for example, accordion shutters are typically metal, while roll-down shutters are commonly made from polycarbonate.

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.

Permits

Depending on where you live, local regulations or your homeowner’s association (HOA) may require you to get a permit before installing hurricane shutters. Permits for hurricane shutters cost between $50 and $200.

Customizations

Custom designs and features add to the total cost of hurricane shutters. For example, motorized shutters add convenience and a greater cost 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 costs in the 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 $30 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 an affordable option that is 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 a smartphone-operated motor and are 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 temporary option. Storm panels are typically made from steel, aluminum, clear polycarbonate, or fabric.

Budgeting for Installing Hurricane Shutters

Planning your budget for hurricane shutters involves finding the best value without compromising protection. While it might be tempting to cut costs, skimping on key aspects could leave your home vulnerable. Here are some tips to save money while keeping your home safe:

• Get quotes from several contractors and compare their estimates.

• Schedule installation during the off-season to potentially get lower labor rates.

• Choose a style and material that complements your home to boost curb appeal.

• Check if your home insurance company offers discounts for storm protection features.

• Make sure to cover all windows—even leaving one uncovered can lead to costly repairs that outweigh the cost of another shutter.

DIY vs. Hiring a Hurricane Shutter Pro

Installing your own hurricane shutters is a labor-intensive task, particularly if you live in a large home with many windows. It can also be dangerous if you’re installing them on a multi-story home and need to maneuver the installation while on a ladder. You’ll still need to purchase each shutter, saving you only on labor costs.

Hiring a professional hurricane shutter installer is a wise decision. They have the experience to do the job thoroughly, efficiently, and safely. They’ll also be able to recommend the best type of shutters for your windows, so you can feel confident that your home is properly protected.

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.