How much does it cost to protect your windows with metal hurricane shutters? Not as much as you might think. I envisioned my big picture window costing $1500, but it was actually much less (see below). I am saving even more by installing the storm panel system myself. I estimate that each window would be double the cost if a contractor did the installation, though they would install them much faster than I am managing it.
Also, you need to remember to include the cost of fasteners. As you can see below, the additional cost is not insignificant, but you cannot skimp on them. They are the only thing that is holding the tracks and panel onto the side of your house. They have to support both the weight of the panel system as well as any storm wind loads.
I chose to use 0.050-inch thick aluminum panels which are Miami-Dade County certified. Here is what I paid for the materials alone. Prices have gone up since I placed my order two months ago. Shipping and tax is extra. Your prices may vary. Keep your hands and arms inside the house during a storm.
Panels and Tracks
- 8-foot high by 12-foot wide picture window - $462 total
- 54-inch by 64-inch bedroom windows - $150 each
- Master Bedroom bay window (four windows) - $455 total
- Small windows in doors (Miami sliders) - $36 each
- 38-inch by 40-inch bathroom window - $78 each
Fasteners
- 200 1-3/4-inch white Tapcons - $38 (Hurricane Depot)
- 200 SS washered wing nuts - $40 (Hurricane Depot)
- 75 lead/zinc machine screw anchors - $30 (Lowe's)
- 75 SS 1-1/2-inch sidewalk bolts - $21 (Lowe's)
Despite their zigzag appearance, metal storm panels are sold by the square or linear foot. These are the same units of measure, in this case, because each panel effectively covers a width of one foot. My 8x12 window is 96 square feet. I need 98 linear feet worth of panels, however, in order to have some overlap at the top and bottom to permit them to be attached to the tracks. My tracks for this window are 148-inches long to also allow for overlap on the sides. (Note that track width is governed by the number of panels and changes in steps.) Today's prices by the linear foot for several sources are as follows.
Ga Steel 0.040 Al 0.050 Al 0.063 Al St.Angle h-Header
Hurricane Depot $4.50(20) $4.15 $4.45 $5.25 $3.65 $3.95
Storm Shutters $3.36(24) N/A $4.56 N/A $6.72 $4.08
Lowe's $3.39(24) $4.69 N/A N/A $4.43 $4.43
Home Depot has special order only. Lowe's carries stock lengths (33-, 47-, 57-, 70-, 88-, 104-inch) as well as taking special orders. (My special order lengths were 32-, 46-, 71- 82- and 98-inches.) The Lowe's I went to today had a feeding frenzy in the hurricane panel section. With Tropical Storm Arlene already dumping rain on Florida, true panic is beginning to set in.
There is more! Read my posts on installation tools, installation tips, aluminum panels, or scan all hurricane posts.