The Different Hurricane Shutters Cost & Types

The responsibility of caring for your home and maintaining its beauty both inside and out is a full-time job. When you live in an area of the U.S. that is prone to hurricanes, this task becomes even greater and you always have to go the extra mile to give your home or business maximum protection against fierce winds, non stop rain, and flying debris. The best way to accomplish this is to invest in hurricane shutters.  Installing this type of heavy-duty storm shutters is more than adequate protection and will not only reduce the risk of injury from broken glass and debris but will also strengthen and protect the interior of your home from strong winds. However, you may assume hurricane shutters cost is out of your price range. Fortunately, that's likely not the case at all. To make sure you can get the hurricane-rated and storm shutters you need and get the protection your home or business needs at a price you can afford, here's all the information you need to know about hurricane shutters cost and types, courtesy of our team here at Rollac.

How Much Do Hurricane Shutters Cost?

No matter what type of budget you are on, the good news is that there are hurricane shutters that will be affordable options for your home or business.  As for the cost of hurricane shutters, it will vary depending on the type of shutters you select. Storm panels are the least expensive option for hurricane protection, costing $5-$15 per square foot. Accordion hurricane shutters cost slightly more, usually $15-$20 per square foot.   If you need protection for larger areas, hurricane screens can be purchased for a price of $20-$30 per square foot.  Roll-down storm shutters are very popular additions for more and more homes and businesses, can be used easily in small and large areas, and are very affordable at $25-$35 per square foot. Finally, Bahama shutters are the most expensive form of hurricane window coverings for homes and businesses, costing $40-$50 per square foot.  

Hurricane Shutters Types and Costs

When you are shopping for hurricane shutters, you'll have many types that will not only have plenty of differences, but also vary in cost. 

Storm Panels

These panels are unique in that they are only installed on your home or business when a hurricane is known to be approaching. When the weather is nice, the panels are stored in your garage or elsewhere. A low-cost alternative to other types of hurricane shutters, storm panels are made of aluminum or steel, they cost an average of $10 per panel, and provide only the most basic storm protection for your property. 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. The installation time and costs for these panels are relatively low when compared to permanent hurricane-rated shutter solutions.  While storm panels do provide some protection and impact resistance, there are permanent storm shutters available that are much stronger.

Rolling Shutters

Also known as roll-down, roll-up, or just rolling shutters, they all serve the same purpose. Unlike storm panels, rolling shutters are usually the most expensive type of hurricane shutter and are a more permanent addition to the façade of your home.  Whether it's residential shutters for your home or commercial shutters for your business, it's hard to beat rolling shutters when you are preparing for hurricane season anywhere in the United States.  Rolling hurricane shutters are often made from high-quality metals such as aluminum or polycarbonate and they work using either a hinge or louver. Though they may cost up to $30 per square foot, rolling shutters can be purchased as either manual roll down shutters if you are on a tight budget, or as electric shutters if you have a larger budget and want the added convenience of being able to open and close your rolling shutters remotely by using your smartphone or a remote control. 

Accordion Hurricane Shutters

Though similar to rolling shutters, accordion hurricane shutters are another permanent type of window protection and are slightly less expensive, ranging in price from $15-$25 per square feet of window space. Usually made of metal, they are stored in a metal box that's connected to one side of a window. When needed, they can be easily extended to the other side of the window just as an accordion is extended, thus giving them their name.  

Colonial Shutters

Though they only look decorative, colonial shutters are made to look beautiful and also offer protection to your home or business. Permanently mounted, they are available in single, bi-folding, or tri-folding designs, making them versatile for many types of properties and architecture. Somewhat easy to install as a DIY project, you can expect to pay from $200-$500 per window for these shutters. This type of hurricane shutter can be purchased at stores, but it is recommended that homeowners purchase them through a company that specializes in this unique window covering. This may involve some labor costs, but the quality of the shutter will be better, and you can rest assured that when the time comes, they will operate effectively because they've been properly installed.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Hurricane Shutters?

Just as it is when you buy any type of exterior roller shutters for your residential or commercial property, you'll need to take a variety of factors into consideration before you make your final buying decision. 

Window Size

The more windows you have, the more it will cost you to have roll-down hurricane shutters installed. Also, if you have very large windows or ones that may be unique in size or shape, it may cost you more to have them professionally installed.

Accessories

If you want to make your hurricane shutters affordable for your property, you'll need to take into account their accessories. For example, do you want your roll down hurricane shutters to be electric, or are you okay with purchasing shutters that will need to be opened and closed manually? Also, do you want basic colors for your shutters, or would you like your colors customized?  

Type of Material

This is often the single biggest factor in determining how much you will spend on your hurricane shutters. Vinyl shutters cost the least, averaging $25 per window. Many of our Rollac customers choose aluminum roll down hurricane shutters, since they are very durable and reasonably priced for most budgets.  

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.

Learn More About Rollac Hurricane Shutters

If you're wondering about whether or not hurricane shutters are actually worth the price you'll pay, contact us here at Rollac to get your questions answered by our team of experienced professionals. Whether you want to learn more about hurricane shutters or can't decide if you can DIY your storm shutter installation, let us help you get exactly what you want and need.