Why this matters
Homeowners who know their estimated cost before calling contractors save 15–20% on average. Contractors quote less aggressively when they can see you've done your homework.
Cost by shutter type — 2026
What does each type of hurricane shutter cost?
All prices below are installed costs — materials plus labor — for a typical coastal home with 8–12 openings. Prices vary by state, local labor market, and product specifications.
| Shutter Type | Low | High | Per Sq Ft | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Panels (aluminum) | $1,800 | $4,500 | $15–$30 | Budget, any opening size |
| Accordion Shutters | $4,500 | $9,000 | $25–$35 | Permanent, easy deployment |
| Bahama Shutters | $2,500 | $6,000 | $18–$32 | Windows, curb appeal |
| Colonial Shutters | $3,000 | $7,000 | $20–$35 | Historic homes, windows |
| Hurricane Screens | $3,500 | $8,000 | $20–$40 | Lanais, large openings |
| Roll-Down Shutters (manual) | $5,000 | $14,000 | $45–$70 | Maximum protection |
| Roll-Down (motorized) | $8,000 | $22,000 | $55–$100 | Convenience, large homes |
| Impact Windows | $8,000 | $25,000+ | $40–$100 | No-deployment, resale value |
⚠️ These are 2026 market averages. Your actual cost depends on your home's window count, opening sizes, access difficulty, and local labor rates. Use our free calculator for a personalized estimate.
Cost per square foot — visual comparison
Cost by state — 2026
Hurricane shutter prices across all 13 coastal states
Costs vary by state due to building code requirements, labor market, demand, and proximity to the coast. Florida and New York are typically the most expensive markets.
🌴 Florida
$18–$45+ / sq ft installed
Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward product approval requirements push costs higher than most states. High demand and strict licensing keeps contractors busy year-round. Hurricane deductible credits make the investment pay back fast.
Full Florida guide →
⭐ Texas
$15–$40 / sq ft installed
Texas Gulf Coast prices are generally lower than Florida due to less restrictive product approval requirements. Galveston and Corpus Christi areas run higher. Harvey (2017) drove significant market growth and contractor availability.
Full Texas guide →
🎷 Louisiana
$15–$45 / sq ft installed
Louisiana's coastal parishes have high demand driven by Katrina and Ida. LSUCC wind and flood requirements push costs in low-lying areas. Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas have the most competition — and best pricing.
Full Louisiana guide →
🌊 Mississippi
$14–$38 / sq ft installed
Mississippi Gulf Coast pricing is among the most affordable in the region. Fewer contractors than Florida, but lower labor costs offset that. Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pascagoula have the most active markets.
Full Mississippi guide →
🏖️ Alabama
$14–$38 / sq ft installed
Alabama's short Gulf Coast line means a smaller contractor pool, but prices remain competitive. Baldwin County (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope) is the main market. Mobile has growing demand after recent storm seasons.
Full Alabama guide →
🍑 Georgia
$16–$40 / sq ft installed
Georgia's coastal market is concentrated on the barrier islands — Tybee, St. Simons, Jekyll. Atlanta-based contractors sometimes service coastal areas at a premium. Demand spikes after named storms hit the Southeast.
Full Georgia guide →
🌴 South Carolina
$16–$42 / sq ft installed
Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand drive the SC market. Charleston's historic architecture often means custom sizing at premium rates. Hugo (1989) and Dorian (2019) shaped the state's awareness and contractor density.
Full South Carolina guide →
🏔️ North Carolina
$15–$40 / sq ft installed
The Outer Banks and coastal plain face significant risk. Wilmington and New Bern are the most active markets. NC's licensing requirements are relatively straightforward, keeping a healthy contractor pool available.
Full North Carolina guide →
🦅 Virginia
$18–$44 / sq ft installed
Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, and the Eastern Shore are the main markets. VA costs trend slightly higher than the Carolinas due to DC-area labor market influence. Isabel (2003) and Florence (2018) drove recent market growth.
Full Virginia guide →
🦀 Maryland
$20–$50 / sq ft installed
Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore face tropical storm and hurricane risk. Higher DC-area labor rates push costs up. Ocean City and Annapolis have the most active markets. Fewer dedicated hurricane shutter contractors than Southern states.
Full Maryland guide →
🗽 New Jersey
$22–$55 / sq ft installed
Sandy (2012) transformed NJ's storm protection market. The Jersey Shore from Cape May to Long Branch now has an active contractor base. High NJ labor costs make this one of the more expensive coastal markets in the country.
Full New Jersey guide →
🌆 New York
$25–$65 / sq ft installed
New York City and Long Island face genuine hurricane risk. Labor costs here are among the highest of any coastal state. Sandy sparked significant demand on Long Island and Staten Island. Expect NYC union labor rates on many projects.
Full New York guide →
🦞 Massachusetts
$22–$58 / sq ft installed
Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket are the most vulnerable and most active markets. Boston's expensive labor market affects the whole state. New England storms in the late season (Aug–Oct) drive most of the demand.
Full Massachusetts guide →
⚠️ Price ranges above are for typical single-family homes with 8–12 openings. Condos, historic homes, commercial properties, and homes with very large openings will vary significantly. Get 3 written quotes from licensed contractors in your state.
Quick estimate
Estimate your hurricane shutter cost
Answer three questions for a ballpark installed price — then use our full calculator for a detailed breakdown.
🧮 Quick Cost Estimator
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Insurance savings
How much can hurricane shutters save on insurance?
In most coastal states, certified hurricane shutters reduce the wind portion of your homeowners insurance. The savings are often significant enough to pay back your shutter investment in 5–10 years.
| State | Typical Wind Credit | How to Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | Up to 45% on wind premium | Wind mitigation inspection + insurer filing |
| Texas | 5–15% on wind portion | Texas Windstorm Association (TWIA) inspection |
| Louisiana | 5–20% | Louisiana Citizens or private carrier inspection |
| South Carolina | 5–20% | SC WIND inspection required |
| North Carolina | 5–18% | NC Beach Plan or carrier inspection |
| New Jersey | 5–12% | Carrier-specific — varies widely |
| New York | 5–15% | NY Fair Plan or carrier filing |
| All other states | Variable | Contact your carrier directly |
💡 Florida Homeowners: Biggest savings potential
Florida's wind mitigation inspection system is the most developed in the country. Accordion shutters covering all openings can reduce your wind premium by 30–45%. A $400 inspection can save thousands per year. Calculate your savings →
What drives the cost
Why hurricane shutter prices vary so much
The spread between a $15 and $100 per square foot installed price isn't random. Here's what moves the needle most.
🪗 Shutter Type
The single biggest factor. Storm panels cost a third of what roll-downs cost. Your opening count and size determine total square footage.
Compare types →
📋 Labor & Licensing
Florida requires licensed contractors for most shutter installs. New York union labor rates can double the cost vs. a Gulf Coast market.
Verify a contractor →
🔍 Product Approval
Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward product approval requirements are the strictest in the country and add to material costs significantly.
Miami-Dade NOA explained →
📅 Timing & Demand
Post-storm demand spikes are real. A named storm threatening your coast can cause 20–40% price increases. Install off-season to save.
Off-season savings →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about hurricane shutter costs
How much do hurricane shutters cost per square foot in 2026?
Hurricane shutter costs in 2026 range from $15–$30 per sq ft for storm panels, $25–$35 for accordion shutters, $45–$100 for roll-down shutters, and $40–$100 for impact windows. All prices are for installed cost including labor and materials.
Which state has the most expensive hurricane shutters?
New York and New Jersey consistently rank as the most expensive states for hurricane shutter installation due to high labor costs and union requirements in the metro areas. Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward counties are also premium markets because of strict product approval requirements.
What is the cheapest type of hurricane shutter?
Storm panels (aluminum or polycarbonate) are the most affordable option, typically running $15–$30 per square foot installed. They provide excellent protection and meet code in all 13 coastal states, but require setup before each storm and storage when not in use.
Do hurricane shutters save money on homeowners insurance?
Yes, in most coastal states. Florida offers the largest credits — up to 45% on the wind portion of your premium for complete accordion shutter coverage. Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and the other coastal states offer 5–20% credits through their state-backed wind pools and private carriers. A wind mitigation inspection is typically required to claim the credit.
How do I get an accurate hurricane shutter price quote?
Use a free online calculator to estimate your costs first, then get at least 3 written quotes from licensed contractors. Knowing your approximate cost before calling saves homeowners 15–20% on average because contractors quote less aggressively when they can see you've done your research. Always verify contractor licensing through your state's licensing board before signing anything.
Are accordion shutters worth the higher cost vs. storm panels?
For most homeowners, yes. Accordion shutters cost roughly double the installed price of storm panels, but they deploy in 30 seconds vs. 2–4 hours for storm panels, require no storage space, and typically deliver larger insurance credits. Over a 10–20 year lifespan, the convenience and premium often pays back. For investment properties or very budget-conscious owners, storm panels remain an excellent option.
What time of year are hurricane shutters cheapest to install?
Off-season installs (December through April in most Gulf and Southeast states) are typically 10–20% cheaper. Contractor demand drops significantly after November 30 (end of Atlantic hurricane season). You'll also get faster scheduling and more attention from installers. See the full off-season savings guide →