How Much Do Estate Shutters Cost? [2025 Data]
Estate shutters cost an average of $2,990, with most homeowners spending $1,341 to $4,750. Since the cost of this project is largely dependent on the size and number of windows, hire a pro to get an accurate quote.
Installing estate shutters, formerly referred to as plantation shutters, costs $2,990 on average but ranges from $300 to $8,400. The project total depends on the area covered (about $20 to $45 per square foot), how many windows you have, and the material used.
Estate shutters are elegant, classic window treatments that are most popular in the South. They’re excellent at blocking out light and heat. The cost of estate shutters is slightly higher than other coverings, but you’ll see a decent return on investment—about 75%.
Estate Shutters Cost Breakdown
Estate shutters are pricier than other window treatments, but the payoff is a dramatic look with effortless function—the best of both worlds. The true price depends on the number of windows, their size, and the materials you choose.
Shutter Material
There are many materials to choose from when selecting your estate shutters.
| Material | Average Cost (Per Window) |
|---|---|
| Hardwood | $250–$600 |
| Faux wood | $150–$400 |
| PVC | $75–$300 |
| Vinyl | $75–$150 |
Hardwood shutters: Hardwood estate shutters cost $250–$600 per window. Natural wood has a classic look, but thanks to its porosity, it’s best used in areas with low moisture and humidity.
Faux wood shutters: Faux wood estate shutters cost $150–$400 per window. Faux wood—also called composite or engineered wood—looks like natural wood at a more affordable price point and with better moisture resistance.
PVC shutters: PVC estate shutters cost $75–$300 per window. This type of shutter is fire-resistant and more energy-efficient than natural wood.
Vinyl shutters: Vinyl shutters cost $75–$150 per window. They’re highly moisture-resistant, so they work well in bathrooms and other areas exposed to high humidity.
Size
The larger the size of the shutters, the higher the cost. Most contractors will charge $20 to $45 per square foot, with discounts for bulk or wholesale orders.
| Shutter Size (Inches) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 16x20 | $45–$95 |
| 24x50 | $164–$370 |
| 36x54 | $270–$600 |
| 36x60 | $300–$680 |
| 42x48 | $280–$630 |
| 48x44 | $290–$650 |
This pricing bundles materials and labor but usually assumes the shutters are custom-built. Premade options may not include the price of labor.
Number of Windows
You can expect to spend $45 to $650 per window on estate shutters. Estate shutters are commonly installed in pairs on a single window, known as double-hung estate shutters. This isn’t always the case depending on the design. The more windows you want to cover, the more your estate shutters will cost.
Type of Windows
The type of windows makes a significant difference in the total cost of estate shutters. Larger window types, like bay windows and sliding glass doors, cost more to cover than a standard window.
| Window Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bay windows | $570–$800 |
| Sliding glass doors | $860–$1,040 |
| Patio French doors | $640–$1,000 |
Bay windows: The average homeowner spends $800 on estate shutters for a bay window. You’ll need to cover three windows of varying sizes: the center window and the two side panels.
Sliding glass doors: Most homeowners spend $860 on estate shutters for a standard-sized sliding glass door (80-by-60 inches). You could spend as much as $1,100 on a longer-than-average door.
Patio French doors: Expect to spend around $1,000 to cover standard 80-by-36-inch French doors with estate shutters. With French doors, you’ll need to cover two panels instead of one.
California Shutters vs. Estate Shutters
California shutters cost $70 to $1,140 per window, which is slightly more expensive than a standard estate shutter. What sets California shutters apart are the louvers (or horizontal slats). The slats are slightly smaller, lending themselves to a less dramatic look. The average cost to install California shutters is $2,200.
Location
As with most home renovation projects, installing estate shutters in major metros such as Los Angeles and New York City will be more expensive than installing them in less populated places. However, much of the pricing depends on the materials used. Here is some average pricing for various regions:
| Region | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $1,280–$4,230 |
| Mobile, AL | $1,700–$2,250 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $2,000–$2,780 |
| New York, NY | $1,720–$3,580 |
| San Francisco, CA | $1,380–$3,400 |
Estate Shutter Ongoing Expenses
Maintaining estate shutters is straightforward and requires minimal ongoing expenses. If one of the slats breaks, you can repair it or replace the shutter. Most estate shutter repairs cost $150 to $450. The average cost of hiring a handyperson ranges from $40 to $140 per project, depending on the complexity and material.
Beyond repairs, you’ll also need to dust and clean estate shutters once every two to three months. While estate shutters cost more up front than other window treatments, they last up to 50 years or longer with proper care and maintenance.
| Ongoing Expenses for Estate Shutters | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Repairs | $150–$450 |
| New hinges | $20–$75 |
| Replacing weather stripping | $175–$185 |
| Painting and refinishing | $125–$175 |
| Removal and replacement | $250–$700 |
| Professional window cleaning | $150–$300 |
Cost to Install Estate Shutters Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Estate shutters range in price from $45 to $650 each. Materials for a house with eight windows would come in between $360 and $5,200, with real hardwood costing the most, at $55 to $650 each, and faux wood priced around $150 to $400.
If you decide to install your estate shutters yourself, you’ll save $65 to $100 per hour on labor costs, which vary with the number of windows and complexity of the installation.
Unless you have experience fitting sturdy window treatments, we recommend hiring a shutter installer near you. They’ll be able to select the best panel sizes for each of your windows and install them evenly over the window frame. In addition, hiring an installer might get you wholesale pricing on the materials.
Cost of Common Add-Ons
You can upgrade your estate shutters by selecting a custom design or improving the look and function of your shutters.
Custom Designs
You can include a divider rail to separate one panel into two. The split allows you to operate the two sides independently. Custom pricing depends on the size of your window and what features you want.
Cloth Tape
Cloth tape is a soft fabric accent you can add to your estate shutters. The cloth can embellish and soften the look. The extra cost depends on the type and size of your shutter, but expect to pay between $20 and $100.
Routeless Slats
With routeless slats, the cords run on the outside of the slats instead of through them. The design eliminates the small holes that let in light, allowing for extra privacy and room darkening. Some homeowners choose routeless slats for bedrooms and nurseries. The cost is dependent on your shutter vendor.
Cordless Operation
Cordless estate shutters eliminate loose cords, providing a sleeker design and a safer option for small children. A cordless shutter price depends on where you buy your shutters, but they average about $130.
Motorization
Motorized estate shutters can operate on a remote, wall switch, smartphone, or voice-activated smart home system. You can adjust the shades when you’re away from home or lying in bed. Installing electric blinds costs anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per window, with an average of $650 per window.
How to Save Money on Installing Estate Shutters
You can lower the cost of installing estate shutters by:
Installing them yourself but ensuring you install them correctly to ensure their longevity and functionality.
Working with a contractor who has access to wholesale prices.
Placing a bulk order for all the windows in your home to save on the cost per shutter.
Opting for vinyl, faux wood, or PVC to reduce material costs.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate shutters offer more energy efficiency, privacy, and light control than blinds. They provide better insulation against heat and cold, lowering your energy bills. They’re also sturdy, durable, and last much longer than blinds (up to 50 years or longer). They’re also low-maintenance and can add curb appeal to your home. The return on investment (ROI) for estate shutters is around 75%.
Faux wood estate shutters are the best value because they’re durable and long-lasting. They cost $45 to $300 each, depending on the size and shape of the window. Faux wood is resilient to high humidity, meaning you can install it in more rooms than hardwood. The shutters offer the stately appearance of natural wood without the cost.
Estate shutters are considered a high-end window treatment that increases home value. As previously mentioned, this project comes with an ROI of up to 75%. Shutters can also improve your home’s energy efficiency, especially if you choose PVC or faux wood shutters, which will lead to long-term savings on your energy bills.
You can get the best price on estate shutters by working with a contractor who can buy the shutters wholesale and in bulk. If you purchase estate shutters for all of the windows in your home simultaneously, the cost per shutter also decreases. You can opt for faux wood, vinyl, or PVC shutters to save on the material costs over hardwood.
The most popular estate shutter brands include Hunter Douglas, Budget Blinds®, and Graber®. Hunter Douglas shutters cost $20 to $26 per square foot and include high-quality hardwood and faux wood options. Budget Blinds shutters cost $20 to $24 per square foot, depending on if you choose natural wood or another material. Depending on the material, Graber shutters range from $18 to $24 per square foot.
