Hurricane Shutter Installation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hurricane shutters are the most affordable way to protect non-impact windows. We install accordion, roll-down, and panel systems that deploy when you need them and disappear when you don't.
Licensed
4.8-Star Rated
Free Estimates
Hurricane Shutters That Deploy When It Matters
Hurricane shutter installation in Fort Lauderdale gives properties that aren't yet equipped with impact windows a proven, code-compliant path to protecting every opening from hurricane-force wind and debris. Fort Lauderdale sits in South Florida's most active hurricane corridor, and an unprotected window or door is a catastrophic liability when a storm makes landfall. At Planet Construction FL, we install accordion shutters, roll-down shutters, and storm panels — the three primary hurricane shutter types serving Broward County's residential and commercial market — giving property owners the protection their buildings and families require.
Non-Impact Windows Are Your Biggest Storm Risk
If your home still has non-impact windows, they're the weakest link in your hurricane protection. Wind entering through a broken window can pressurize the home and lift the roof — which is why insurance companies require shutters or impact glazing for storm coverage. Going without protection isn't a savings; it's a risk.
The Right Shutter System for Your Home
We install accordion, roll-down, and panel hurricane shutter systems matched to your home's openings, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Each install is permitted, anchored properly, and demonstrated so you know how to deploy quickly. The result is hurricane protection that's ready when the next storm forms.
Types of Hurricane Shutters We Install
Planet Construction FL installs the three primary hurricane shutter types available in Fort Lauderdale's market, each with different deployment characteristics, aesthetics, and cost profiles. Accordion shutters are permanently mounted on tracks adjacent to each window and door, folding open when not needed and deploying instantly by pushing the panels across the opening — no storage, no tools, no lifting. Roll-down shutters retract into a housing box above each window when not in use and deploy by rolling down either manually or with motorized operation. Storm panels — aluminum, galvanized steel, or clear polycarbonate — are stored off-site when not needed and installed before each storm event using a track system mounted permanently at each opening. Each type meets Florida Building Code HVHZ requirements when properly installed; the right choice depends on the property's specific requirements and the property owner's priorities.
Accordion vs. Roll-Down vs. Storm Panels
The three shutter types differ in meaningful ways that affect which is right for each property. Accordion shutters offer the fastest deployment — pushing panels across takes seconds per opening — with no storage concern and permanent, always-ready installation. Their folded profile when open is visible alongside each window, which some homeowners consider an aesthetic drawback. Roll-down shutters present the cleanest appearance when open — the housing box above the window is the only visible element, and many housing box designs are minimal and unobtrusive. Motorized roll-down systems deploy all shutters from a single switch, a significant convenience advantage for properties with many openings. Storm panels offer the lowest initial cost of the three types but require physical installation before each storm — a meaningful labor requirement on a property with many openings, and a problem if storm warning time is short or the property owner isn't physically present when a storm approaches.
Shutters vs. Impact Windows — When Each Makes Sense
Hurricane shutters and impact windows both provide code-compliant hurricane protection in Fort Lauderdale, but serve different situations well. Impact windows are the preferred solution for full-time residents — they eliminate the pre-storm deployment requirement that shutters involve, they improve energy efficiency and noise reduction year-round, and they qualify for the same wind mitigation insurance credits as shutters. Shutters are a cost-effective solution for seasonal properties where the owner is rarely present during storm season, for properties where the budget for a full impact window replacement isn't currently available, or as a complement to existing impact windows on openings where shutter installation was part of the original construction. Planet Construction FL installs both — and provides an honest comparison for each project situation.
Florida Code Requirements & Insurance Savings
Hurricane shutters in Fort Lauderdale must carry Florida Product Approval (NOA) documentation for the specific product and installation configuration at each opening. Design pressure ratings must meet the requirements for the opening's location, height, and size. Shutters that meet the qualifying specifications — including proper installation and NOA documentation — qualify for the same wind mitigation insurance premium discounts as impact windows, typically 15–30% reductions on the windstorm portion of the premium. Planet Construction FL provides the installation documentation — product NOAs, installation photos, and permit completion records — needed for wind mitigation credit application after every shutter installation project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do hurricane shutters cost in Fort Lauderdale?
Hurricane shutter costs in Fort Lauderdale vary significantly by shutter type and the number of openings being protected. Storm panels are the least expensive — typically $12–$25 per square foot installed. Accordion shutters typically range from $25–$45 per square foot installed. Roll-down shutters — particularly motorized systems — range from $35–$65 per square foot installed. A typical Fort Lauderdale home with 10–15 openings can expect total shutter installation costs from $6,000 for storm panels to $20,000+ for a full motorized roll-down system. We provide opening-by-opening cost breakdowns at the estimate stage.
Can hurricane shutters be installed on any home?
Accordion and roll-down shutters require structural anchoring points at the sides or top of each window or door opening — the wall framing or concrete must be able to accept the required fasteners. Most Fort Lauderdale's concrete block and masonry construction provides excellent anchoring for shutters. Some architectural features — narrow columns between openings, decorative trim that conflicts with track mounting — may require creative solutions or preclude certain shutter types for specific openings. We assess each opening's suitability during the site visit.
Do hurricane shutters need a permit in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — hurricane shutter installation in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County requires a building permit. The permit process includes submission of the product NOA documentation and a building department inspection after installation. Planet Construction FL handles the full permit process for all shutter installations — from application through final inspection — as part of every project.
How long do hurricane shutters last?
Quality accordion and roll-down shutters with aluminum construction and proper maintenance last 20–30 years in Fort Lauderdale's coastal environment. Annual lubrication of accordion shutter hinges and roll-down shutter tracks and rollers extends operational life and maintains smooth deployment. Salt air exposure requires periodic washing of all shutter surfaces and hardware. Storm panels stored properly — rinsed, dried, and stored flat to prevent warping — last indefinitely with minimal maintenance.
