How Much Does It Cost to Install Estate Shutters?

By Amanda Lutz Updated August 9, 2024

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Estate shutter installation costs typically range from $1,352 to $4,713, but homeowners will pay around $2,944 on average. Estate shutters are a classic window treatment popularized in the South. They have movable slats that control the amount of light and privacy in a room while providing a timeless look. Estate shutters are typically made of wood, though other materials are available.

We’ll go over various cost factors, explain estate shutters’ pros and cons, and answer key questions to help you decide if they’re the right window treatment for your home.

Note: All cost information sourced from Angi and Home Advisor.


Major Cost Factors of Estate Shutters

Many factors affect estate shutters’ final cost, including the type of shutter, window size, window type, the number of windows, and labor for the job.

Factor 1: Shutter Type

Estate shutters are made from various materials, with higher-end options costing more. Here are some of the most common shutter materials:

MaterialCost per Panel
Faux wood$45–$300
Hardwood$55–$420
PVC$100–$300
Vinyl$100–$300

Factor 2: Window Size

Larger windows require more material and time to install, increasing costs. Contractors typically charge $20 to $45 per square foot for custom estate shutters, including materials and labor. Some contractors provide discounts for bulk or wholesale orders.

Factor 3: Type of Window

Estate shutters fit various windows. Shutters for certain window types take extra time to build and fit, increasing labor costs. You may also want to consider California shutters, which have smaller slats for extra privacy and lighting control. These cost $1,400 to $3,400, with an average of $2,200. This includes installation on eight windows, with each window priced around $70 to $1,140. Custom California shutters could cost $20 to $45 per square foot.

Here are the costs to install estate windows on common window and door types:

Window/Door TypeCost
Patio French doors$640–$950
Bay windows$800
Sliding glass doors$860–$1,040
California shutters$2,200

Factor 4: Labor Costs

Installing estate shutters takes two hours on average. Contractors typically charge $65 to $100 per hour. This totals $1,352 to $4,713 for a house with eight windows, excluding the price of the shutters themselves. Labor rates vary by location.

Factor 5: Number of Windows

The more estate shutters you want, the more your project will cost. Shutters range from $45 to $420 each, and labor costs $65 to $100 per hour. This totals $1,750 to $6,200 for 10 windows, or between $175 and $620 per window.


Additional Factors Affecting Estate Shutters Cost

Consider these additional factors when estimating the cost of estate shutter installation.

Window Location

Where the windows are located in your home affects how much you’ll pay for shutter installation. It takes more time to install shutters on less accessible windows, increasing labor costs.

Different Shutter Options

Estate shutters come in different variations that fluctuate in price. For example, you can opt for a divider rail that separates the shutters’ panel into two sections, allowing the top and bottom louvers to open and close independently. Another option is a T-post, which adds support for larger windows. There are also different frame options and hidden tilt rods for decreased visibility.

Home Location

Your home’s location can impact your total price. Certain materials may be less available and more expensive in some regions. Labor costs are also higher in urban areas where it’s more expensive to live. For example, homeowners in Kansas City, Missouri, can expect to pay $2,433 to $4,450 for estate shutters, compared to $1,467 to $5,267 in Miami.

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Closeup of large bay window and red green flower decorations on sunny summer day and nobody architecture
Adobe – Royalty Free

Window Replacement Cost

Replacement windows on average range from $300 to $1,200.

Windows with fixed top sash and bottom sash that slides up, sash divided by white grilles a surrounded by white elegant frame horizontal white vinyl siding on a new construction residence
Adobe – Royalty Free

Single-Hung Windows

Single-hung windows on average cost $150 to $400 per window.

Low angle view of a plastic PVC window with a white metal frame in a modern house, showing an open window with blurred green trees and a clear sky outside.
low angle view of plastic pvc window with white metal frame installed at modern house, blurred green trees outside the room

Energy Efficient Upgrades

Double-pane installation typically ranges from $450 to $1,000 per window.


Professional vs. DIY Estate Shutter Installation

You can install estate shutters yourself, but we recommend hiring a professional window company if you have limited home improvement experience. We’ll go over both options below.

Professional Shutter Installation

Professional installers have experience fitting window treatments and can select the best panel size for each window. They also have access to wholesale prices, which aren’t available to the average homeowner. Professionals charge an average of $65 to $100 per hour to install estate shutters, but this price can vary depending on the number of windows and the installation’s complexity.

DIY Shutter Installation

Installing estate shutters requires the right tools and skills. If you choose to do it yourself, the easiest method is to purchase a kit with the correct size shutters and hardware. The average cost of these kits is $290 to $440, depending on your window size. You’ll need to buy items individually if you don’t purchase a kit. This could add up to $50 per window, excluding the shutter cost.


Pros and Cons of Estate Shutter Installation

Pros

  • <b> </b><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Estate shutters provide additional insulation, which could lower your energy bills.</span>
  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">Wider louvers are easy to clean with a cloth or duster.</span>
  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">They’re long-lasting with less damage risk than traditional blinds.</span>
  • Homeowners can tilt the shutters to let in light while still blocking visibility. They can also be completely closed, providing more privacy than other window coverings.
  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">You can leave the shutters open to fill the room with natural light, or close them tightly to block out light and help with temperature control. </span>

Cons

  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">Estate shutters can cost four times more than standard blinds.</span>
  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">Though shutters can open and close to change light and privacy levels, they don’t completely disappear from sight like roll-up blinds. This will limit views of your landscape and surroundings.</span>
  • <span style="font-weight: 400;">Shutters need enough space to fully open, so you can’t place furniture directly in front of them.</span>

How to Reduce Estate Shutter Costs


Our Recommendation

Estate shutters provide a reasonable return on investment (ROI)—about 75%—while providing additional benefits such as energy savings, privacy, and more lighting and temperature control. The cost to install shutters can vary, but expect to pay $1,352 to $4,713.

Though more expensive than other window coverings such as blinds or shades, shutters often last longer. You can also get custom shutters to add a unique touch to your home. Estate shutters are worth it if you want high-quality window treatments with a solid ROI.

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Estate Shutter FAQ

How much does it cost to install window shutters?

It costs between $1,352 and $4,713 to install window shutters. Most homeowners spend an average of $2,944.

Are shutters more expensive than blinds?

Shutters are typically more expensive than blinds. Homeowners spend $208 to $1,286 to install blinds, compared to $1,352 and $4,713 for shutters.

Do shutters add value to a property?

Estate shutters have a return on investment of about 75%. Their curb appeal may also attract potential buyers when trying to sell your home.