AHS Installation Excellence
Beyond the Shutter: Why Only 18-8 Stainless Steel Screws Will Protect Your Home in Coastal NC/SC
In high-velocity wind zones like Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Oak Island, and Topsail, homeowners invest in the highest quality hurricane shutters. But the strongest shutter is only as good as the hardware anchoring it to your home.
At American Hurricane Shutter, we recognize that the coastal climate is a battle on two fronts: wind *and* corrosion. That’s why our installation expertise—backed by over a decade of service—demands superior materials. We are the **only** company in the region to utilize high-grade, marine-ready 18-8 stainless steel screws for every installation, ensuring unparalleled strength and longevity.
The coastal environment rapidly degrades standard hardware, creating a critical vulnerability.
The Silent Killer: Why Standard Fasteners Fail Near the Coast
The ocean air across the Southeast coast is highly corrosive. Standard galvanized or zinc-plated steel fasteners, commonly used by other installers in the Myrtle Beach and Wilmington areas, rust quickly. Once a screw begins to corrode, its tensile strength plummets.
When the next Category 3, 4, or 5 storm arrives, those weakened, rusted screws will snap under the intense pressure, causing a catastrophic failure of your entire shutter system. For your family’s safety, the anchor must last the life of your home, not just a few hurricane seasons.
Our Installation Standard: 18-8 Stainless Steel & #14 or Larger
We eliminate the risk of corrosion failure by exclusively using **18-8 Stainless Steel** (the gold standard for marine environments) screws that are always **#14 size or larger**.
While other companies cut corners, American Hurricane Shutter provides hardware that is inherently resistant to the salt, moisture, and humidity common in coastal North Carolina and South Carolina. This dedication to superior materials is part of our deep installation experience, ensuring a bond that will survive any severe hurricane.
Precision Matters: Choosing the Right Depth for Every Home
Proper installation isn’t just about material; it’s about structural depth. Our extensive experience means we select the perfect length and diameter for maximum grip, ensuring the screw reaches the necessary support structure behind the facade, whether you are in Topsail or Oak Island.
- 3.5″ Screws: Our standard for installations into solid framing or foundation.
- 5.5″ Screws: Used for thicker siding, build-outs, or when mounting through fascia requires extra depth to hit the stud.
- 7.625″ Screws: Specifically designated for homes with brick veneer, ensuring the fastener anchors securely into the structural wall behind the brick for maximum pull-out resistance.
This level of fastener precision is the clearest sign of true installation expertise—a feature you simply won’t find with any other hurricane shutter provider serving Northeast SC or Southeast NC.
