Shutter installation: what to know

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

What shutter installation is

Shutter installation fastens interior or exterior shutters, whether decorative or working, onto window frames or siding with the right sizing, hinges, holdbacks and weather-resistant finishing. People call when they want shutters added to a home's look, when old shutters have come loose or rotted, or when working shutters need to be made to open and close again.

Signs you need it

  • Shutters that are loose, hanging crooked or missing hinges
  • Rotted shutter wood at the bottom edge or along the hinge side
  • Windows that would look better with shutters that match the style of the house
  • Shutters that do not hold open in the wind because the holdbacks are missing or broken
  • Old shutters with peeling paint and cracks that need replacing, not just painting

What the pro does

  • Measure each window and the shutter size needed, then check the frame, the siding or trim where the shutter will be fixed
  • Choose the mounting method for the surface, such as screws into the trim, a fastener into the siding, or a mounting block for brick
  • Hang the shutters on the hinges or fixed mounts, setting them plumb and level and leaving the right spacing from the window
  • Fit the holdbacks or shutter dogs so the shutter opens and stays put, and add decorative hardware if the design calls for it
  • Seal and finish the exposed edges and fasteners with the paint or sealer suited to the shutter material

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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 of shutters and the size of each window they cover
  • Shutter material, such as vinyl, wood, composite or aluminum, and whether they are working or decorative
  • Mounting surface, such as brick, stucco, siding or wood trim, each needing a different fastener
  • Hinge and holdback type, including any specialty hardware
  • Finish on the shutters, including painting or staining before the install
  • Height and access for second-story windows
  • Removal and disposal of old shutters

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each shutter listed by window location, with its size, material and style
  • Mounting method and fastener type, listed for each surface
  • Hinge, holdback and hardware type, with the count for each shutter
  • Finish or paint work, including primer and the number of coats
  • Removal and disposal of old shutters, and any patch work to the siding or trim
  • Cleanup and a walk-through of how each shutter opens, closes and holds

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How will you fasten the shutters to my brick, stucco or siding without causing leaks?
  • Are the shutters working or decorative, and will they actually close over the window?
  • What hinges and holdbacks do you use, and how do they hold in wind?
  • What finish is on the shutters, and how do you prime and seal the cut edges?
  • Can you match the style and color of the shutters to the house?
  • How do you handle the trim or siding under the fasteners so the water does not get in?
  • Do you carry insurance for the work at the height of my upper windows?

Red flags

  • Shutters fastened through siding into nothing, with no backing or mounting block
  • Decorative shutters sold as working shutters that will not close over the window
  • Fasteners driven through brick or stone with no suitable anchor
  • No primer on the shutter edges, which will soak up water and warp
  • Shutters sized by guess instead of measured against each window, so they will not look right or close

What you can do yourself

You can safely check shutters from the ground, tighten loose screws you can reach, and paint or stain shutters on a table before they go up. Do not hang shutters on upper windows from a ladder, and do not drill into brick or stone without the right anchors and tools. Call a pro for mounting on siding or masonry, second-story windows, and any shutter that needs a new hinge or holdback.

Licenses and permits

Shutter installation is commonly done by general exterior contractors, siding or trim companies, and home improvement businesses, and rules vary by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and the local building office if the work changes the exterior.

Shutter installation questions

Can I put shutters on vinyl siding?

Yes, with the right mounting block or fastener that holds the shutter without cracking the siding. A pro should use the mounting method the shutter maker specifies for vinyl.

Do shutters need to match the window size?

Working shutters should be sized to cover the window when closed. Decorative shutters can be sized to look right. Ask the installer which type you are getting and whether it will close.

How do I stop shutters from warping?

Seal and prime all sides and edges, including the back and the ends, and keep the finish intact. Wood and composite shutters need finishing to stay straight.

What is a holdback and do I need one?

A holdback or shutter dog keeps an open shutter from swinging in the wind. If the shutters are working, you need them. A pro can add the right type for the shutter weight.

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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