Windows are like the eyes of a home. You can see the beauty of the world from the inside. But sometimes, as much as we want to see more from our windows, our privacy can sometimes be compromised.

You can have the windows you want, at the same time, protect them and your privacy as well through Hurricane Shutters or the roll down shutters.

Otherwise known as roll up or rolling shutters, they provide privacy and security to homeowners. They derived the name Hurricane Shutters because they are made as hurricane mitigation to protect houses from damage caused by storms. This means they are naturally made to withstand weather disturbances like gusting winds and torrential rains.

They can be operated manually, motorized as stand-alone or in conjunction with a manual override. The motorized types are operated through a switch or by a remote control. Because of different factors, the roll down hurricane shutters price varies.

Average Cost of Roll Down Hurricane Shutters

The average cost of roll down shutters ranges from $345 to $700, with the basic shutters ranging between $345 and $526 while the high-end types range from $463 to $700. This is equivalent to around $20 to $30 per square foot of window area.

Below are the different types of shutters and their corresponding prices:

What are Included

The cost of rolling storm shutters is only limited to the basic installation under typical conditions. This most likely includes the following:

• Site inspection – this is typically free like most home improvement projects.
• Materials – this includes all the hardware components of the shutter including all the parts used in mounting and installation.
• Labor – this includes all physical activities required starting from coming up with the layout up to the mounting and installation proper, as well as securing the shutter frame.

Additional Costs

Bear in mind that all shutters, no matter what type and what kind of materials they are made of, require maintenance. And of all, wood shutters have the highest lifetime maintenance cost due to regular staining they require.

Modifications and reinforcements of any of the structure in your house that may be affected by the shutter installation are typically not included in the cost. As a result, you might need to pay extra to have it done.

Shopping for Roll Down Hurricane Shutters

For all your roll down shutter needs, contact reputable window companies for estimates and quotations. It may also help to ask anyone you know for any referral. You can get the best deal by accepting multiple quotations at the same time.

For free estimates and to locate roll down shutter contractors, visit Improvenet.com.

Factors Affecting Roll Down Hurricane Shutters

As with other projects, your choice and the project requirement are the main cost factors that will ultimately determine the overall rolling storm shutters prices. Some of these are mentioned below:

• Materials – like most house projects, materials play the major part in the overall roll down hurricane shutters price. You have a wide range of materials to choose from ranging from wood, vinyl, to cedar and metals. Higher priced types may include features and attributes that make them sturdier and more durable than the cheaper ones.

Below are some of the materials available in the market and their average cost:

• Window company – the cost of rolling storm shutters also depends on the company or professional doing the project. Aside from the varying rates because of stiff competition, the manner of charging by these experts can spell the difference as some of them charge per window while others per certain measurement. If they would charge per square meter, you would automatically be charged higher for larger windows.

• Accessories – the average costs provided are for the basic roll down shutters. If you intend to accessorize your shutters, expect higher rate than you would originally set the budget for.

• Labor – aside from the materials, the labor cost would largely affect the overall roll down hurricane shutters price. Labor cost range differences may be due to the varying overhead costs of window companies like seasonal wage rate, job locations, etc. and can also be in part due to the size of the project or the workload.
• DIY or Hire a Pro – doing a project in a DIY method would greatly cause you massive savings. That is if you are sure what exactly you are doing, as mistakes are almost tantamount to additional costs of repairing your project. If that happens, it would be like starting from scratch. If you know your way around windows, then you would only be spending on the materials needed and your effort.

Additional Information

• Most insurance companies charge lower premiums on homes with higher end shutter types.
• All types of hurricane shutters, no matter how sturdy they are made to withstand storms, special techniques can be done to allow emergency personnel to enter a home when the shutters are closed.
• In some states like Florida, you cannot just install hurricane shutters whenever you want. You need to submit a request to be able to be permitted to install them.
• Hurricane shutters can actually add value to any residential or commercial property.
• You can save on installation costs by doing it during the lean months.
• Rolling shutters are good at insulation and soundproofing as they block out the sunlight, heat, cold, and sound.

The rule of thumb in hurricane roll down shutters is that the least expensive types will most likely be the most labor intensive and have the highest maintenance cost, while the most expensive ones are the most worry-free because of the minimal maintenance. While most shutter installations are done due beautify homes, it is worth to provide security and value at the same time. So your choice between a high upfront cost and the higher maintenance will play a big part in the overall cost of the hurricane shutters.

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