Hurricane Shutters Cost and Types

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in 2023, hurricanes caused the most damage of all types of storms in the U.S., totaling over $1.3 trillion. Unfortunately, if you live in a coastal area, there isn’t a great deal you can do to avoid hurricanes. Instead, you can learn how to prepare for hurricanes and protect your property. Investing in hurricane shutters for your home or business is one of the best ways to accomplish this. 

Installing this type of heavy-duty storm shutters for your windows or doors provides more than adequate protection. Not only will it reduce the risk of injury from broken glass and debris, but it can also strengthen and protect the interior of your home from strong winds.

However, many assume hurricane shutter costs are beyond their price range and unattainable. Fortunately, with such a wide variety of hurricane shutters, there is undoubtedly a style of rolling shutters to suit your budget and needs. 

That’s where Rollac can help. We are experts in storm protection with over 40 years of experience in the hurricane shutters market. We can help you select the most suitable hurricane shutter type without breaking the bank.  

How Much Do Hurricane Shutters Cost on Average?

At Rollac, we’re often asked, “How much do hurricane shutters cost?” The answer is as simple as “How much does a house cost?” The total varies depending on the size, type, quantity, quality, time of year, and location of the hurricane shutters.

In 2024, the average cost of hurricane shutters, whether Bahama, accordion, storm panels, or fabric screen styles, is $5-$50 per square foot. These coverings range in price from $1,500 to $20,000 for a house or business. 

It’s important to remember that the following 2024 pricing guide is an overview, not an exact figure. As you’ll see, many factors affect the final total.  

The Cost of Different Hurricane Shutters Types

At Rollac, our customers often describe feeling overwhelmed by the array of hurricane shutter types. Indeed, there is a wide variety to choose from and many factors to consider when selecting commercial or residential hurricane screens. 

Storm Panels

Storm panels are unique in that they are only installed on your home or business when a hurricane is known to be approaching. The panels are stored in your garage or elsewhere when the weather is nice.

Storm panels are a low-cost alternative to other types of hurricane shutters. They are corrugated panels made of aluminum, clear plastic, or steel and cost an average of $10-$20 per square foot, approximately $115-$240 for a seven-square-foot window. They provide only the most basic storm protection for your property. 

Unlike other options, storm panels are affordable because of their simple design. All you're paying for is the cost of materials and labor. Unlike automated storm shutters, no engineered system is required to install and uninstall them. 

Though this type of hurricane shutter can be bought at big-box stores, it's recommended that you buy them from a company that specializes in this type of product and have them professionally installed when the time comes. 

Regarding hurricane shutter costs, storm panels are relatively inexpensive compared to permanent hurricane-rated shutters; they don’t provide nearly the same levels of protection and impact resistance.

Rolling Shutters

Also known as roll-down, roll-up, or rolling shutters, they all serve the same purpose: to protect. Unlike storm panels, this hurricane shutter costs the most because it is permanently affixed to your home or business’s facade. Like a garage door, when not in use, a roll-down shutter is stored in a metal box above or below the door or window it’s designed to protect. 

These heavy-duty hurricane shutters can be opened and closed manually using a crank. However, electric roll-down hurricane shutters are increasingly common and can be controlled with a switch flick or a smartphone app. 

Rolling shutters are hard to beat when preparing for hurricane season. They’re also a fantastic theft deterrent for your business thanks to their high-quality metals, such as aluminum or polycarbonate, and the use of a hinge or louver to lock into position. 

These roll-down hurricane shutters cost anywhere from $25-$60 per square foot.

Accordion Hurricane Shutters

Accordion hurricane shutters are another permanent type of window covering. They are usually made of metal and stored in a metal box connected to one side of a window. They can be easily extended to the other side of the window by running them along a track. Accordion hurricane shutters can be unfolded similarly to how an accordion is expanded, hence their name.  

This hurricane shutter costs typically range from $15 to $25 per square foot.

Colonial Shutters

Though they only look decorative, colonial shutters also serve an essential purpose.

These hurricane window covers are permanently mounted in single, bi-folding, or tri-folding designs, making them versatile for many types of properties and architecture. Relatively easy to install as a DIY project, these hurricane shutters cost between $20 and $50 per window.

Although this is one of the hurricane shutter types that can be purchased at stores, it is recommended that homeowners purchase it through a company that specializes in this unique window covering. 

Though this may involve additional labor costs, the shutter will be of better quality, and thanks to their professional installation, you can rest assured that it will operate effectively when the time comes.

Factors Affecting The Cost of Hurricane Shutters

Just as you would when buying any type of exterior roller shutters for your residential or commercial property, you'll need to consider various factors before making your final decision. 

Window and Door Size

The more windows you have, the more it will cost to install roll-down hurricane shutters. This is especially true if you have huge windows or ones that may be unique in size or shape. Typically, it takes approximately 60 minutes to install seven square feet of shutters, whether on windows or doors. Most shutters are 24 inches by 42 inches or 7 square feet. Thus, it’s fair to estimate that installing a shutter will take one hour.

Accessories

If you want to make your hurricane shutters affordable for your property, you'll need to consider their accessories. For example, do you want your roll-down hurricane shutters to be electric, or are you okay with purchasing shutters that need to be opened and closed manually? 

Also, do you like primary colors for your shutters, or would you like your colors customized? These may seem like trivial considerations, but with some research, they can significantly affect your hurricane shutter cost. 

Type of Material

This is often the most significant factor in determining how much you will spend on your hurricane shutters. There are a variety of materials to choose from, including metal, aluminum, and plastic. Within the spectrum of hurricane shutter costs, plywood is the least expensive but also the least permanent. On the other end are automated hurricane shutters, which are the most costly.  

Installation Costs

If you need your hurricane shutters installed by professionals, expect to pay labor costs of $1000-$1500 to get the job done. However, if you have the skills to make this a successful DIY project, you can save money that may allow you to purchase a better grade of shutter, such as going from vinyl to aluminum.

Geographic Location

While states such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and the Carolinas are more prone to hurricanes based on their location, California received its first hurricane in 84 years in 2023. Simply put, anywhere in the coastal U.S.A. is susceptible to this type of storm damage. Hurricane shutter' costs and installation prices can vary greatly. For example, on average, homeowners in Florida will pay $4,300 for hurricane shutters compared to Massachusetts residents, who will pay much less, at $2,100. 

Additionally, hurricane shutter costs will be higher in cities than in residential areas throughout the country.

Why Invest in Hurricane Shutters?

It may seem like an extravagant purchase, but often, the initial cost of hurricane shutters far outweighs the potential price tag for cleanup and repair after one of these storms has hit. At Rollac, business owners and residents often ask whether hurricane shutters are worth the investment. Our answer is always to do your research. 

For example, many coastal areas of the U.S. legally require home and business owners to have hurricane shutters.

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, even if you haven’t had one in the last 30 years, an initial financial investment in these window coverings might save you a tremendous amount in repairs in the long run. Additionally, installing hurricane-rated shutters may lower your insurance premiums. 

However, customers sometimes think impact windows are a better option. Hurricane shutters cost much less than impact windows. Impact windows can protect your home or business from the storm’s impact. But they won’t prevent looters from breaking in and robbing you once the storm has passed, which is something hurricane shutters can do. 

Learn More About Rollac SecuraMax Hurricane Shutters

If you're debating whether hurricane shutters are worth the price, let the experts at Rollac address your concerns and help you make the right decision.

With hurricanes' frequency rising nationwide, the question is not whether a storm will hit your home or business but when. The heavy rains and strong winds associated with hurricanes can not only destroy property but they can severely injure or even kill people.

Get in touch to learn more about our range of hurricane shutters