Do I Need
Hurricane Shutters in NC & SC?
If you own property in a coastal NC or SC Wind-Borne Debris Region, hurricane shutters are required by building code for new construction — and strongly advisable for existing homes. Here is the full picture.
NC Building Code
Are Hurricane Shutters Required in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the State Building Code requires opening protection — including hurricane shutters or impact windows — for all new construction in Wind-Borne Debris Regions (WBDR). A property is in a WBDR if it is located within one mile of the coast subject to wind speeds of 130 mph or greater, or anywhere subject to 140 mph or greater.
This covers essentially all of the NC coast: New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, Carteret, and Dare counties are all designated WBDRs. For new construction in these areas, rated opening protection is not optional — it is a code requirement that building inspectors enforce.
For existing homes built before these requirements took effect, hurricane shutters are not legally mandated. But they are the most cost-effective way to meet the same level of protection that code now requires for new construction — and they qualify existing homes for the same insurance discounts.
- New Hanover County — Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach
- Brunswick County — Oak Island, Southport, Leland
- Pender County — Topsail Island, Hampstead, Surf City
- Onslow County — Jacksonville, North Topsail Beach
- Carteret County — Morehead City, Emerald Isle
- Dare County — Outer Banks communities
SC Building Code
Are Hurricane Shutters Required in South Carolina?
- Available to SC homeowners in eligible counties
- Covers up to 25% of installation cost
- AHS is an approved SC Safe Home contractor
- We handle all grant documentation
- Horry County and Georgetown County eligible
South Carolina follows similar Wind-Borne Debris Region requirements under the South Carolina Building Code. Coastal counties including Horry and Georgetown counties are designated WBDRs requiring rated opening protection for all new construction.
SC also offers the SC Safe Home Grant program, which provides financial assistance to existing homeowners retrofitting certified hurricane shutters on properties that were built before code requirements. AHS Carolinas is an approved SC Safe Home contractor and handles all grant documentation on eligible jobs.
Even If Not Required
Should I Get Hurricane Shutters Even If They Are Not Required?
For most coastal homeowners, the financial and safety case for hurricane shutters is compelling — even on existing homes where they are not legally mandated.
Impact Windows vs Shutters
Do I Need Hurricane Shutters If I Have Impact Windows?
Impact windows — also called hurricane impact windows or impact-resistant glass — are an alternative to hurricane shutters that satisfies the same opening protection requirement under NC and SC building code. Both approaches achieve the same rated result: a protected building envelope that resists hurricane wind loads and debris impact.
The practical difference is cost and flexibility. Impact windows typically cost 3–5x more than hurricane shutters for equivalent coverage. They are also permanent — once installed, they cannot be removed. Hurricane shutters can be open and providing natural light on a sunny day, then closed and locked in under 60 seconds before a storm.
Many coastal homeowners use a hybrid approach — impact windows in primary living areas and hurricane shutters on remaining openings — to balance cost, convenience, and protection. AHS Carolinas can help you evaluate which approach makes sense for your specific home and budget.
Common Questions
Do I Need Hurricane Shutters — FAQ
Get a Free Estimate — We Handle the Code Requirements
AHS Carolinas handles all permit applications, HOA documentation, and wind mitigation paperwork on every job. Free in-home estimates with same-week scheduling throughout coastal NC and SC.