How Much Does It Cost to Paint Shutters? [2024 Data]

Painting Shutters Cost Breakdown

Photo: Kinga Krzeminska / Moment / Getty Images

The cost to paint exterior shutters can be broken down by the size of the shutters, labor, the type of paint, and more. Here's what you need to know to budget for your project.

Size

You'll spend between $1.50 and $4 per square foot to paint exterior shutters. Window shutters range from 12 to 18 inches wide and between 23 to 84 inches tall on average. This means that painting exterior shutters costs between $6 and $33 per shutter. Since the size of your window shutters can vary, calculate the width and height of your shutters to come to a more accurate estimate. 

Here are some of the most common shutter dimensions and their average prices: 

*For materials only. When estimating the total cost of your paint, factor in an additional 10% to 15% just in case you need a little more paint to complete the project.

Number of Shutters

The average home has eight windows. Since you’ll need two shutters for every window, that gives you 16 total shutters. Because the price of shutters can range widely due to the size variations (from $4 all the way up to $33 apiece), you could expect to pay anywhere between $60 and $530 for all of your shutters, excluding labor. 

However, not every window in your home needs shutters. Some people prefer to add shutters only to the front of the home for aesthetic purposes (and for money-saving purposes). 

Type of Paint

Photo: krblokhin / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

A gallon of exterior paint costs between $55 and $75 on average, but some of the best paint brands cost upwards of $100. 

One gallon of paint can cover between 350 and 400 square feet, also depending on the brand. The average shutter ranges from 3 to 8 square feet, or a total of 48 to 128 total square feet if you’re installing two shutters each on all eight windows. To cover both sides of the shutters as well as the edges, double this number and increase the amount by 10%. Your new total square footage is 105 to 280. 

Don’t put away the calculator just yet! If you need two coats of paint on all your shutters, you’ll have to double these numbers one more time. For two coats on all 16 shutters, you’re looking at 210 to 560 square feet. In this case, you’ll need two gallons of paint for the project, which will range from $110 to $150. If you have more than eight windows or need to cover more than 16 shutters, you’ll need three or more gallons. 

Labor

The cost to paint shutters ranges from $1 to $3.50 per square foot. Alternatively, you can expect to pay each painter between $25 and $100 per hour. If your shutters don’t need priming, you can cut your labor costs in half.

Prep

If you need to remove old paint, the cost to strip paint is between $0.50 and $2 per square foot. You’ll need to remove flaky or cracked paint before you can add a new coat of paint onto the surface of your shutters. 

After removing old paint, you'll also need to factor in paint primer if you're DIYing. Remember, painters tend to include the cost of primer in their quotes. A gallon of primer costs between $15 and $75. 

Geographic Location

Your location can affect the cost of your project in one of two ways: labor and quality of materials. For example, local going rates for hiring a painter in a metropolitan city in California will likely be much higher than rates in a rural town in Florida. Factor in the cost of living and the average hourly rate for painters near you to get the most accurate estimate.

On the other hand, Florida residents may want to use higher-quality paint to combat stormier weather conditions, which can hike up the cost of the materials by more than double.

Additional Costs to Consider

There are two additional costs you may need to keep in mind while budgeting for painting shutters: repair and replacement costs. Here’s what you need to know.

Repairs

The average cost to repair window shutters is between $140 and $450. If your window shutters are in poor condition, simply stripping old paint might not be enough. You may need to repair your shutters before you can complete your project. 

Replacements

Replacement window shutters cost between $45 and $420 each, not including labor. Add $65 to $100 per hour if you need to hire a window installation company to put your shutters in place. Shutters in too poor of a condition—from rot, termite damage, warpage, or other visible issues—need replacing. 

Cost to Paint Shutters Yourself

Photo: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock

If you want to DIY your shutter paint project, you’ll need to add together all of the materials and tools to come to a total price. Here’s how that might look if you’re painting 16 shutters on eight windows.

Keep in mind that these prices represent averages, and the price for tools and materials may be more or less in your area. You’ll likely spend between $150 and $450 in total to paint exterior shutters yourself. If you already have a ladder and paintbrush on hand and don’t need to strip old paint, you’ll spend the least to complete your project. If you need to repair old shutters and don’t already have the supplies, you might find yourself spending toward the higher end of the price range.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Hiring an exterior painter near you can cost between $125 and $600. The total square footage of your shutters plays the greatest part in determining how much your pro will charge. If you have the tools on hand already, it might save you several hundred dollars to paint your exterior shutters yourself. 

However, if you can’t reach your shutters from the ground, investing in a quality ladder to safely paint your shutters can eat away at your wallet. Not to mention, painting on a ladder is a time-consuming and potentially dangerous job that’s best left to an experienced painter. Painters sometimes get discounted rates on paint purchases, too, which can help lower the cost of materials.

Cost of Common Shutter Add-Ons

When adding paint to your shutters, your painting pro may also offer several add-ons to help make your house the talk of the town. Painters are usually more than happy to repaint your home's exterior, front door, brick, shiplap, and more while they’re at it. 

• Cost to paint home exterior: $1,800 to $4,400

• Cost to paint exterior door: $150 to $500 each

• Cost to paint brick exterior: $3,500 to $10,500

• Cost to paint garage door: $200 to $500

• Cost to paint wood siding: $700 to $3,000

• Cost to paint aluminum siding: $3,100 to $8,300

How to Save on the Cost to Paint Shutters

Photo: zphoto83 / Adobe Stock

Overall, you can save the most money by painting your shutters yourself, especially if you already have a ladder or you can borrow one from a neighbor or friend. If you’d need to purchase all new tools to DIY this one, you might end up saving money by working with a painter. Purchasing paint that’s self-priming can also help cut costs by around $15 to $75 as opposed to buying a primer separately. 

If you’re dedicated to letting a pro handle the painting for you, adding shutters only to the front of your home can help you save big time. You’ll also save on labor and repair costs by cleaning up and fixing any dirty or damaged shutters before your pro arrives. 

Derek Rose contributed to this article.