How Much Do Hurricane Shutters Cost? [2026 Data]

Living along the coast can be incredible, but once hurricane season rolls around, you’ll want to protect your home from wind damage. Hurricane shutters cost $3,641 on average, but factors such as type, time of year, and size can impact the total price, with some people paying as much as $11,000 or as little as $255. Expect to pay between $2 and $60 per square foot. This guide will give you a comprehensive estimate of the cost of hurricane shutters.

Hurricane Shutters Cost Factors 

Investing in hurricane shutters is a major home improvement. Understanding where every dollar is going is critical to ensuring you’re getting a proper estimate. Let’s go over each cost category below. 

Hurricane Shutter Cost by Type

One of the most impactful factors determining how much you spend on hurricane shutters is the type. So, let’s look at the different types of hurricane shutters and what price tags you can expect from them.

Accordion Hurricane Shutters

Accordion hurricane shutters are permanent and open and close like an accordion made from aluminum. Accordion hurricane shutters cost $15 to $30 per square foot plus $45 to $100 for labor fees. While not aesthetically pleasing, these shutters are popular among homeowners for budget-friendly prices.  

Roll-Down Hurricane Shutters

Roll-down shutters are a durable, permanent hurricane shutter solution. You can lower these shutters manually or automatically. They run about $25 to $60 per square foot, so a 7-square-foot window will cost about $220 to $520, including installation fees.  

Bahama Shutters

If you’ve ever been to the Caribbean, you’ve probably seen these sturdy, durable shutters that are aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, and provide ample privacy and storm protection. Bahama shutters are made from wood, aluminum, or composite, cost $20 to $35 per square foot, and average $185 to $345 for installation per 7-square-foot window. 

Colonial Shutters

Colonial shutters are a permanent, durable solution with lots of historic charm. Their convenient design allows for easy opening and closing to protect your homes and windows from storm damage while allowing sun exposure and increased privacy. These shutters cost $25 to $35 per square foot, totaling $220 to $345 for a 7-square-foot window. 

Plywood

While not precisely a shutter type, homeowners have used plywood as a hurricane shutter for decades. Commonly referred to as “boarding up,” this temporary solution is cost-effective and offers some protection in low hurricane wind speeds. Plywood hurricane shutters cost $2 to $6 per square foot for a total of $15 to $45 for a 7-square-foot window.  

Storm Panels

Storm panels, made of steel or aluminum, cover the entire window during hurricanes. Because of their design, these temporary solutions are only installed during hurricane threats. They cost $10 to $20 per square foot, with an average of $115 to $240 for a 7-square-foot window. 

Fabric Storm Shutters

Fabric storm shutters are made from reinforced PVC or mesh sheets and can be a temporary or permanent solution. They work as a shield between hurricane forces and your home. The temporary option costs $5 to $15 per square foot, with an estimated $80 to $205 per 7-square-foot window. The permanent shutters cost $25 to $50 per square foot. 

Window Size

Bigger windows will need bigger shutters, which means more material must be used to create them. Depending on the type of hurricane shutter you choose, you could pay anywhere from $2 to $60 per square foot. 

Number of Windows

The number of windows that need hurricane shutters will impact your total project price. More windows will result in higher material and labor costs.

Shutter Material

Hurricane shutter costs can vary widely depending on the material you choose. Materials range anywhere from $2 to $60 per square foot. 

• Metal: Hurricane shutters made of metal are the most durable (and most expensive, depending on the type of metal) option, but you’ll need a lot of assistance or a pro’s help to put them up. 

• Plastic: Polycarbonate hurricane shutters can be heavy-duty or lightweight. Plus, they can be completely see-through. 

• Fabric: Fabric shutters are flexible but strong and easy to DIY. 

• Wood: Offering mid-level protection, wood provides an easy hurricane shutter DIY. 

Shutter Location

If you have multiple stories and want hurricane shutters on more than your ground level, it’ll cost more in labor fees.

Labor

When looking for a solution that will protect you and your home from storm damage, a hurricane shutter installer near you may charge $45 to $100 per hour. 

Time of Year

When it’s closer to or in the middle of hurricane season, due to supply and demand, it’ll cost more than if you were installing them in mid-winter. 

Permits

While not everyone will need a permit to install hurricane shutters, some neighborhoods or homeowners associations (HOAs) might require one. Getting a permit for this project ranges from $50 to $200.

Why You Should Hire a Hurricane Shutter Installation Pro

If you have experience installing shutters and are confident that they’ll work as intended during a storm, it’s possible to DIY this project. However, it’s best to call a local hurricane shutter installation pro if you’re unsure of your ability to properly install the shutters or if you’re dealing with heavy-duty materials, like steel hurricane shutters. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a hurricane shutter installation pro

Installing hurricane shutters can be more complex than it seems. Here’s why it’s best to hire an experienced pro for the job:

• Professionals understand wind-load requirements and impact ratings to ensure your shutters protect your property during major storms.

• Working with pros ensures your project meets local building codes, permit requirements, and safety standards.

• DIY installation can lead to improper mounting, structural damage, and ineffective protection.

• Professionally installed hurricane shutters improve home safety and insurance eligibility and can boost your resale value.

If you want to DIY hurricane shutter installation

To assist your pro with the installation process, consider helping out with the following tasks:

• Clear furniture, decor, and obstacles from the work area to provide easy access for your pro.

• Help mark window and door openings to confirm he location of the shutters.

• Hand tools and materials to your pro as directed.

• Keep pets, kids, and other household members away from the work area.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project 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. 

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