Accordion Shutters 101: Pricing, Operation, and Installation Guide

Walk through any coastal neighborhood in the Carolinas, and you’re bound to see them: sleek, permanently installed shutters neatly stacked to the sides of windows and doors. These are **accordion hurricane shutters**, and they are one of the most popular and trusted forms of storm protection for a reason. They offer an exceptional balance of strength, convenience, and value that is hard to beat.

This comprehensive guide will serve as your complete introduction to accordion shutters. We’ll cover everything from their cost and construction to a step-by-step guide on how to operate them. As experts who install the top-rated **ASSA Bertha HV** accordion shutters, we want to give you all the information you need to decide if this fantastic system is right for your home.

What Are Accordion Shutters and How Are They Built?

Accordion shutters are a permanently installed, one-piece shutter system. They consist of interlocking, vertically-oriented aluminum blades that are housed in a “stack” on one or both sides of an opening. These blades glide along a top and bottom track, allowing the shutter to be pulled closed and locked in the center.

The Anatomy of Strength

The Bertha HV systems we install are engineered for maximum durability:

• Extruded Aluminum Blades: Each blade is made from heavy-duty, extruded aluminum with a double-walled, reinforced design. This allows them to resist impacts and deflect high winds.
• Nylon Rollers and Wheels: The blades glide smoothly on high-quality nylon wheels within the tracks, ensuring they won’t corrode or seize up from salt air.
• Heavy-Duty Tracks: The top and bottom tracks are securely anchored to the structure of your home, providing the rigid framework that holds the entire system in place during a storm.
• Secure Locking Mechanism: When closed, the shutters are secured from the inside with heavy-duty thumbturn locks or key locks, creating a solid, impenetrable barrier.

The Big Question: What is the Price of Accordion Shutters?

One of the main reasons for the popularity of accordion shutters is their excellent price point for a permanently installed, convenient system. The average cost for our professionally installed Bertha HV Accordion Shutters is approximately $34 per square foot.

This all-inclusive price reflects the custom fabrication for each of your openings, all necessary hardware and tracks, and the complete professional installation by our trained technicians. While the upfront investment is more than for removable storm panels, it eliminates the need for storage and the intense labor of pre-storm installation, a convenience most homeowners find invaluable. You can get a free preliminary estimate using our online calculator.

How to Close and Secure Accordion Shutters: A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the best features of accordion shutters is their simplicity. Preparing your home for a storm becomes a quick and easy task. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Clear the Tracks: Before you begin, do a quick visual inspection of the top and bottom tracks. Clear away any dirt, sand, spider webs, or small obstructions with a broom or brush. A clean track ensures smooth operation.
2. Unlock the Shutter: From the outside, locate the locking mechanisms that hold the shutter in its stacked, open position. This is usually a set of thumbturns or clips. Turn them to release the shutter blades.
3. Grasp the Handles and Pull: Grab the built-in handles on the leading blade of each half of the shutter. Smoothly pull them towards the center of the opening. The wheels will glide along the track.
4. Interlock the Center: When the two halves meet in the middle, they are designed to interlock. Ensure the vertical seams are flush and pushed together.
5. Engage the Locks: Step inside your home. From the inside of the shutter, you will see several heavy-duty thumbturn locks. Push these firmly into their receiving slots on the opposing shutter half and turn them 90 degrees to lock them in place. For extra security, many systems also include key locks.

That’s it! Your window is now secure. The entire process for a single window often takes less than a minute. For a more detailed guide, see our Hurricane Shutter Maintenance Guide.

The Dangers of a “Do It Yourself” Accordion Shutter Installation

While it might seem tempting to save money by purchasing a shutter kit online, installing accordion shutters is a job exclusively for trained professionals. An improper installation can be even more dangerous than no protection at all, as it creates a false sense of security.

Why Professional Installation is Critical:

• Structural Anchoring: We use specialized fasteners and techniques to anchor the tracks to the load-bearing parts of your home’s structure. This is the single most important factor in the shutter’s ability to withstand hurricane-force winds.
• Code Compliance: Our installations are guaranteed to meet or exceed all local building codes and are properly permitted. A DIY job will not pass inspection.
• Warranty Protection: The manufacturer’s warranty on your Bertha HV shutters is only valid if they are installed by a certified professional. A DIY installation voids your warranty completely.
• Flawless Operation: We ensure the tracks are perfectly plumb and level, so the shutter glides smoothly and locks securely every time.