Hurricane Shutter Cost Calculator for Florida
Use this calculator to get a rough installed-price range for hurricane shutters on a Florida home. Prices are quoted per square foot of opening, so the calculator multiplies your total opening area by typical published per-square-foot ranges for each shutter type, then adjusts for your region. It is a planning tool, not a quote.
Typical installed price ranges by shutter type
The ranges below are what national and Florida-focused cost guides commonly publish for installed shutters (material plus labor). Actual quotes can land outside them, especially for large openings, second-story work or homes in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
| Type | Typical installed cost per sq ft | Deployment |
|---|---|---|
| Storm panels | $10 – $30 | Manual, stored between storms |
| Fabric storm screens | $8 – $20 | Manual, lightweight |
| Accordion | $15 – $35 | Permanently mounted, slide closed |
| Bahama / colonial | $20 – $50 | Permanently mounted, close by hand |
| Roll-down, manual | $30 – $65 | Crank or strap |
| Roll-down, motorized | $45 – $100 | Switch or remote |
Sources for the ranges: published consumer cost guides such as HomeGuide, Angi and Forbes Home, cross-checked against Florida installer price pages. Treat them as starting points only.
How the calculator works
Shutter companies price by the square foot of opening, not by the window. That is why two homes with the same number of windows can get very different quotes: a house with big picture windows and a 12-foot slider has far more square footage to cover than a house with small bedroom windows. The calculator adds up your windows (count times average size) plus about 40 square feet for each sliding or French door, then multiplies by the low and high end of the per-square-foot range for the shutter type you chose.
It then applies a modest regional factor. South Florida generally runs higher because Miami-Dade and Broward sit inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), which requires products with a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance and stricter installation. North Florida tends to run a little lower. Finally it adds a $100 to $500 allowance for the building permit, since most Florida jurisdictions require a permit for permanently installed shutters. Check your county or city building department for the actual fee.
Measuring your openings
To get a better estimate, measure each opening rather than guessing an average. Measure the width and height of the window opening including the frame, then add a few inches on each side, because shutters mount outside the opening on tracks or headers. Multiply width by height in inches and divide by 144 to get square feet. Do the same for every sliding door, French door, garage-adjacent door with glass, and any skylights you want covered.
Write the measurements down and keep them. When installers come out they will measure again, but having your own numbers lets you compare quotes line by line and spot when one company is quoting more square footage than another for the same house.
Choosing a shutter type
Storm panels
Panels are the lowest-cost option that meets code in most of Florida. They are corrugated steel, aluminum or clear polycarbonate sheets that bolt or slide into tracks above and below each opening. The downsides are storage space, weight (steel especially) and the time it takes to put them up before a storm. If you are older, travel a lot, or live in a two-story home where upper windows need a ladder, factor in the cost of paying someone to install them each time, which installers commonly charge per window.
Accordion shutters
Accordion shutters are permanently attached and fold to the side of each window. You slide them closed and lock them, which most people can do in a few minutes per opening. They are a popular middle ground on price and convenience, and they are often used on condo balconies and lanais. Some homeowners dislike how they look when folded open, and the tracks can corrode near salt water if they are not rinsed and lubricated.
Bahama and colonial shutters
These are decorative as well as protective. Bahama shutters are hinged at the top and prop open like an awning, giving shade year-round. Colonial shutters are hinged on the sides. They cost more than accordions but add curb appeal, which matters to some buyers and HOAs.
Roll-down shutters
Roll-downs live in a box above the window and roll down on side tracks. Manual versions use a crank or strap; motorized versions use a switch or remote and can be the easiest option for people who cannot physically deploy shutters. They are the priciest option and motors need occasional service. If you go motorized, ask whether each shutter has a manual override for when the power is out, which is exactly when you may need it.
Fabric screens
Fabric storm screens are lightweight woven panels that attach with straps or tracks. They are easy to store and handle, and some products carry Florida Product Approval. Make sure the product you buy is approved for your wind zone and opening size.
Florida codes and product approval
Florida's statewide building code requires that opening protection products be approved for use in Florida. Products are listed in the Florida Product Approval system run by the state. In Miami-Dade and Broward, the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone rules apply and products typically need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Ask every installer for the product approval or NOA number of what they are quoting, and confirm it matches your opening sizes and design pressures. A legitimate installer will pull the permit; be cautious of anyone who suggests skipping it.
Insurance discounts and wind mitigation
Florida law requires insurers to offer premium discounts for features that reduce wind loss, and opening protection is one of the features on the state's wind mitigation inspection form (OIR-B1-1802). After shutters are installed, a licensed inspector can complete a new wind mitigation report, which you send to your insurer. How much you save depends heavily on your insurer, your home's other features (roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, roof deck attachment) and whether every glazed opening is protected. Partial protection usually does not earn the opening-protection credit, so covering every window and door matters.
The state's My Safe Florida Home program has, in funded years, offered free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants toward improvements like opening protection. Funding and eligibility change from year to year, so check the program's official site before you buy if you want to apply.
What drives your quote up or down
- Opening area: the biggest factor by far.
- Story height: second-story installs need lifts or extra labor.
- Wall type: concrete block (CBS) and wood frame need different anchors.
- Custom sizes and shapes: arched or oversized windows cost more per square foot.
- Wind zone: HVHZ products and engineering cost more.
- Timing: demand spikes after a storm hits or one is forecast. Buying in winter or early spring usually gives better scheduling and sometimes better prices.
Getting and comparing quotes
Get at least three written quotes. Each should list the product name and approval number, the square footage per opening, the anchor type, the permit, warranty terms and the deposit. Verify the contractor's license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) license search. Florida law limits how large an upfront deposit can be in some cases and requires certain disclosures, so read the contract carefully and avoid paying in full before the work is done.
Before the storm
Shutters only help if they are deployed. Do a test run each spring before hurricane season starts June 1, check that hardware and tracks are clean, and make sure every panel is labeled for its window. If you also own an RV or travel trailer, our sister site has an RV hurricane damage checklist for before and after a storm.
Comparing shutters with replacing your windows? See impact windows vs. shutters. Want regional details? See the Florida regional cost guides.