Hurricane shutter installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What hurricane shutter installation is

Hurricane shutter installation fits storm shutters over windows and doors with tracks, anchors or panels, so they can be closed or installed before a storm to resist wind and flying debris. People call when windows have no storm protection, when old shutters no longer fit or fasten well, or when they want a plan that is ready before the season starts.

Signs you need it

  • Windows and glass doors with no protection, or with shutters that do not fit the openings
  • Loose, bent or corroded tracks, panels or anchors on an existing shutter system
  • Shutters that are hard to close or that rattle and move in the wind
  • Anchors that pull out of the wall or the frame when the shutters are tested
  • A home in a windy area where the owner wants storm protection ready before a storm

What the pro does

  • Measure each window and door opening, and check the wall and frame where each shutter or track will be anchored
  • Mark and set the anchors into the framing or masonry at the spacing the shutter system calls for, and check that they hold
  • Install the tracks or mounting channels level and square, with the panels or roll-down shutters fitted to the openings
  • Fit the locking hardware, the handles or the closures, so each shutter can be closed and secured by one person
  • Test each shutter closed and open, check the fit and the anchors, and show the homeowner how to deploy and store the panels

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number and size of windows and doors that need protection
  • Shutter type, such as panel, roll-down or accordion, and the material used
  • Wall type and framing, since masonry, stucco, siding and wood each need different anchors
  • Height and access for second-story openings
  • Number of anchors, tracks and locking hardware for each opening
  • Whether old shutters are removed, repaired or replaced
  • Permit or inspection requirements for exterior openings

What a written quote should spell out

  • Shutter type, material, color and the manufacturer, with each opening listed by location
  • Anchor type, size and count, and the wall or frame each one is set into
  • Track or channel material and the number of tracks for each opening
  • Locking hardware and closures named, with the count for each shutter
  • Removal and disposal of old shutters, and repair of any damaged framing found
  • Testing and a walk-through showing how to deploy and store the shutters

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What anchors do you use for my wall type, and how do you test that they hold?
  • Will the shutters close and lock by one person, and how long does a close take on my windows?
  • What is the rating and warranty on the shutters, and what does the warranty require from me?
  • How are the tracks mounted, and will the frame or the wall be damaged by the anchors?
  • Where will the panels or the roll-down housings be stored when not in use?
  • Do you test the shutters closed and open before you leave?
  • Can you show me a finished install on a home with windows like mine?

Red flags

  • Anchors set into hollow or rotted framing with no check of the wall or the frame
  • Shutters that do not fit the openings and are shimmed or forced to close
  • No testing of the shutters closed and open before the crew leaves
  • Claims that the shutters will stop all storm damage, with no product rating or limits stated
  • Pressure to sign before the openings are measured

What you can do yourself

You can safely measure each opening from inside, photograph the wall and frame where anchors will go, and open and close any existing shutters you can reach from the ground to check the hardware. Do not drill anchors from a ladder or set panels above ground reach, since the weight and wind load are not safe to handle alone. Call a pro for anchor installation, second-story openings, and any shutter that is loose or hard to close.

Licenses and permits

Hurricane shutter installation is commonly done by licensed general or exterior contractors, and some shutter work needs a permit or inspection because it changes the exterior openings. Check with your state and local licensing and building offices for what applies where you live.

Hurricane shutter installation questions

Can shutters be installed on any wall?

Not without the right anchors. Masonry, stucco, siding and wood each need different anchors, and a pro should test the anchors in the wall before the shutters go on.

How long does it take to put the shutters up before a storm?

It depends on the shutter type and the number of openings. Roll-down and track shutters close faster than panels. Ask the installer how long the closing takes and practice it before the season.

Do I need shutters on every window?

Safety guidance says to protect every opening, including windows, sliding glass doors and garage doors, because one broken window lets wind into the house and pressure can build. Some doors are already impact rated, so ask the pro to check each opening with you.

How should I store the panels when they are off?

Store them where they are dry, labeled by opening, and within reach when a storm is coming. The installer should show you the storage spot and the mounting hardware for each panel.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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