Hurricane Shutters Built for Calm and Complete Protection

Hurricane Shutters and the HVHZ: Built for the Strictest Code in the Country

The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, or HVHZ, is the area covering Miami-Dade and Broward counties where the Florida Building Code enforces the strictest wind and impact standards in the United States. The standard grew out of the rebuilding that followed Hurricane Andrew in 1992. South Florida chose to build stronger than anywhere else in the country and has kept raising the bar since.

That code shapes every DreamGuard installation. Each shutter system we install carries a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance or a Florida Product Approval, the documents proving that exact product passed impact and pressure testing. Every project is permitted with your local building department, installed by the licensed contractor of record under Florida license CGC1536894 and inspected once complete. Palm Beach County sits outside the HVHZ. We hold our installations there to the same standard.

For the full picture of approvals, permits and inspections, read our guide to hurricane shutter permits and HVHZ code in South Florida.

What Hurricane Shutters Cost in South Florida

Two ranges cover most South Florida homes. Accordion shutters run $26 to $33 per square foot installed, about $182 to $228 for a standard 24 by 42 inch window. Roll-down shutters run $33 to $65 per square foot installed, about $228 to $455 for that same window, with motorized systems on large openings at the top of the range.

The variables that move price are practical ones. The number and size of your openings, motorization, upper-floor access and the surface we anchor into all play a part. Permit costs vary by municipality and are included in your written quote. For the full breakdown, read our hurricane shutter cost guide for South Florida.

Accordion or Roll-Down: How to Choose

Accordion shutters are permanently mounted hurricane shutters that stack beside the opening and pull closed along a track in about a minute. They protect the most openings per dollar, which is why they anchor most whole-home projects across South Florida.

Roll-down shutters store in a slim housing above the opening and lower along side rails, by hand crank or by quiet motor. They are the premium choice for terraces, wide sliders and any opening where you want protection to disappear on a clear day.

• Deployment speed: accordions close by hand in about a minute per opening. Motorized roll-downs close at the push of a button.
• Aesthetics: accordions stack in a slim column beside the glass. Roll-downs vanish into a low-profile housing box.
• Motorization: roll-downs are the natural choice for motorized operation. Accordions are typically manual.
• Typical fit: accordions for whole-home coverage, roll-downs for large openings, balconies and the glass you look through most.

Weighing shutters against impact glass instead? Start with our hurricane shutters vs impact windows comparison, then go deeper with our accordion vs roll-down hurricane shutters guide.

Where We Install Hurricane Shutters

DreamGuard installs, maintains and repairs hurricane shutters across all three South Florida counties. In Miami-Dade County we protect everything from Homestead ranch homes to Brickell condos. In Broward we serve Fort Lauderdale and its neighboring cities. In Palm Beach County we work from Boca Raton to Jupiter. We install impact windows and doors across the same footprint. Formerly Pacific Hurricane Shutters, we have protected South Florida homes for more than 20 years and hold a 4.9-star Google rating across 270 reviews. See every community we serve on our service area page.

Hurricane Shutter Questions, Answered

How much do hurricane shutters cost per square foot?

Accordion shutters run $26 to $33 per square foot installed and roll-down shutters run $33 to $65 per square foot installed. For a standard 24 by 42 inch window, that is roughly $182 to $228 for an accordion and $228 to $455 for a roll-down. A written quote prices every opening in your home exactly.

Do hurricane shutters require a permit in South Florida?

Yes. Shutter installation is permitted work. In Miami-Dade and Broward counties it must meet High-Velocity Hurricane Zone standards using products with a Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval. DreamGuard pulls the permit as the licensed contractor of record and manages the inspection. Permit costs vary by municipality and are included in your written quote.

How often should hurricane shutters be serviced?

Once a year for most homes, ideally in spring before the season begins. A professional shutter maintenance service runs $297 to $797 and covers lubrication of all moving parts plus a 10-point inspection. Salt air is hard on hardware. Annual care keeps every panel gliding.

Should I choose motorized or manual shutters?

Manual accordion shutters deliver the strongest value across a whole home and close quickly by hand. Motorized roll-downs earn their place on large, high or hard-to-reach openings and for owners who prefer one-button protection. Many projects mix the two. Your free assessment maps the right system to each opening before you decide.

How quickly can I get a shutter assessment?

The assessment is free and scheduling it is simple. A DreamGuard specialist measures every opening, walks through accordion and roll-down options with you and leaves a written quote with exact pricing. Schedule your free assessment online or call (786) 320-6405 and we will find a time that suits you.