Hurricane Shutter Installation in Fort Myers, FL

Shutter installation built for Fort Myers homes

Fort Myers has learned the hard way what a direct hit looks like. Hurricane Charley tore through in 2004, Irma raked the region in 2017, and Hurricane Ian in 2022 pushed storm surge up the Caloosahatchee and left thousands of homes with broken windows, peeled roofs and water inside. Every one of those storms taught the same lesson: the homes that came through best were the ones with their openings protected before the wind arrived.

A window or sliding door that breaks during a hurricane does more than let rain in. Once wind gets inside a house, pressure builds against the roof and walls from the inside, and that is how roofs lift and walls fail. Properly installed hurricane shutters keep the building envelope closed, and that is the single biggest thing you can do to keep a storm from becoming a total loss.

Romano's Shutters has been doing this work for over 25 years. We are family-owned, based just across the river in Cape Coral, and licensed as a Florida certified general contractor (CGC1510872). Fort Myers is home turf for us, not a far-off service area.

Matching the shutter to the opening

There is no single best hurricane shutter. The right choice depends on the opening, how often you're home, who will be closing the shutters, and how the house needs to look. During the estimate we walk the property with you and go opening by opening.

Roll down shutters are the most convenient option. They live in a slim housing box above the window or door and lower with a crank or a motor. For snowbirds who leave for months at a time, or anyone who does not want to wrestle with panels as a storm closes in, motorized roll downs are hard to beat. One of our Fort Myers customers had electric storm shutters installed on the entire home and told us they give "real peace of mind heading into hurricane season."

Accordion shutters fold to the sides of an opening and slide closed along a track. They are permanently mounted, so there is nothing to store, and they are a strong, budget-friendly choice for wide lanai openings, sliding glass doors and second-floor balconies.

Bahama and colonial shutters protect the windows and add character to the house. Bahama shutters hinge at the top and prop open for shade. Colonial shutters fold flat against the sides of the window. Both suit older Fort Myers neighborhoods where curb appeal matters.

Roll down hurricane screens are a lighter option for lanais and large openings. When lowered they block wind-driven debris while still letting in light, so the house doesn't feel like a cave during storm prep.

Not sure which mix is right for your house? Read our guide on choosing the right hurricane shutters, or just ask us during the walkthrough. Most homes end up with a combination.

How a Fort Myers installation works

Every job follows the same steps, and the same family-run crew handles it from the first visit to the final walkthrough.

First, we visit the home, look at every opening and measure. We talk through what you want protected, how you want to operate it, and your budget. You get a clear written quote.

Next comes the permit. Hurricane shutters in Florida must be permitted and installed to the Florida Building Code. Depending on your address, that permit goes through the City of Fort Myers or through Lee County, since a lot of homes with a Fort Myers mailing address actually sit in unincorporated Lee County. We handle that paperwork, so you don't have to figure out which office you belong to.

Then we fabricate and install. Every shutter is sized to its opening and anchored into the structure the way the code requires. We test each one before we leave and show you how to operate it.

Finally, we're here after the install. If something sticks, a motor acts up, or a storm damages a track, call us. We repair what we install, and we service other companies' systems too.

Code, insurance and resale value

Most of Southwest Florida falls inside what the Florida Building Code calls a wind-borne debris region, which is why new construction here requires impact-rated windows or approved opening protection. If your home was built before those rules, or the original shutters are long gone, adding shutters brings it up to the standard newer homes are held to.

Protected openings can also matter for insurance. Florida requires insurers to offer credits for qualifying wind mitigation features, and opening protection is one of them. A wind mitigation inspection documents what your home has. Ask your insurance agent what shutters could mean for your premium.

Buyers notice, too. In a market that has been through Ian, a home with permitted, working hurricane protection is easier to sell than one that will need it. Our guide on whether hurricane shutters increase home value goes deeper.

We would rather put the right shutter on an opening than the most expensive one. If accordions make more sense on your lanai than a motorized roll down, we will tell you. That is why so many of our jobs come from neighbors and repeat customers.

Frequently asked questions

When should I install hurricane shutters in Fort Myers?

Before the season, not during it. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and once a storm is in the forecast every installer in Lee County is booked. Winter and spring are the best time to measure, permit and install so you're ready by summer.

Do I need a permit for hurricane shutters in Fort Myers?

Yes. Permanently installed hurricane shutters require a permit, from either the City of Fort Myers or Lee County depending on where the home sits. Romano's Shutters pulls the permit as part of the job.

Can you install shutters on a raised or stilt home?

Yes. Many Fort Myers homes near the river and the beaches are elevated, and we regularly install roll down shutters and screens on upper floors, lanais and the openings under the house.

What does hurricane shutter installation cost in Fort Myers?

It depends on the number and size of openings and the system you choose. Our breakdown of the cost of hurricane shutters in Southwest Florida explains what drives the price, and we give every Fort Myers homeowner a free written quote.

Ready to protect your home before the next storm? Call Romano's Shutters at (239) 323-1913 or request a free quote below.