Accordion Shutters: The Most Convenient & Affordable Permanent Storm Protection in Myrtle Beach

For homeowners in Myrtle Beach, the “hurricane prep” drill is a familiar stress. The dread of dragging plywood out of the shed, the back-breaking work of lifting heavy storm panels, and the anxiety of climbing ladders as the wind picks up—it’s a nightmare we all want to avoid. What if you could secure your *entire* home in under 30 minutes, with no heavy lifting, no storage, and no ladders?

Welcome to the solution: accordion shutters. Of all the permanently installed systems available, accordions represent the perfect sweet spot: they are the most affordable permanent shutters in Myrtle Beach and offer incredible ease of use.

At American Hurricane Shutters, we’ve installed countless sets of accordion shutters on everything from high-rise condos on the Grand Strand to multi-story homes in Pawleys Island. We consistently recommend them as the best all-around value in storm protection. Let’s dive into why.

What Are Accordion Shutters and How Do They Work?

Accordion shutters are a type of sliding hurricane shutter system. They are permanently installed on the exterior of your home, nesting neatly in a “stack” on one or both sides of your window or door when not in use.

Here’s the simple process:

1. Permanent Tracks: The shutters are housed in a durable aluminum frame that consists of a top and bottom track, permanently and professionally anchored to your wall.
2. Deployment: To close the shutter, you simply grab the handle and pull. The shutter glides along the tracks, unfolding its vertical, interlocking blades—just like an accordion.
3. Securing: Once the shutter is closed (meeting in the middle if it’s a two-part shutter), you engage a heavy-duty, key-operated locking mechanism.

That’s it. A 12-foot sliding glass door that would take an hour to cover with panels can be fully secured in about 30 seconds. This is what we call true “lock and leave” convenience.

The #1 Benefit: The Perfect Balance of Price and Convenience

Homeowners in Myrtle Beach are often forced to choose between two extremes: the back-breaking labor of “affordable” storm panels or the high cost of “convenient” motorized rolldown shutters. Accordion shutters shatter this compromise, offering the best of both worlds.

The Most Affordable *Permanent* Hurricane Shutter

Let’s be transparent with pricing. At American Hurricane Shutters, our high-quality, fully-installed rated accordion shutters start at:

Approximately $34 per square foot

Now, let’s put that number in context:

• This is significantly less expensive than motorized Rolldown Shutters (which start at $48/sq ft *before* the motor) or premium Rated Bahama Shutters (starting at $56/sq ft).
• While removable Storm Panels are cheaper (around $18-$22/sq ft), they are not permanent. You are trading money for your own future time, labor, and safety.

For a modest increase in cost over panels, you get a permanent, lifetime solution that adds tangible value to your home. This makes them, dollar-for-dollar, the best value in the storm protection market.

“Lock and Leave” Convenience

This is where accordion shutters truly shine. We call them convenient storm shutters because they eliminate every major headache of hurricane prep:

• No Storage: The shutters live on your wall. You reclaim all that space in your garage or shed that was once dedicated to a mountain of heavy panels.
• No Heavy Lifting: The shutters glide on a track. There is no lifting, carrying, or holding a 40-pound panel in the wind.
• No Ladders: This is arguably the biggest safety benefit. You can deploy shutters on second and third-story windows from the safety of your balcony or, with certain configurations, even from inside the home.
• Unbeatable Speed: An average-sized home can be fully secured by one person in 20-30 minutes. This is a game-changer when a storm watch is suddenly upgraded to a warning.

Why Accordion Shutters are Perfect for Myrtle Beach Homes & Condos

The unique design of accordion shutters makes them the ideal engineering solution for the specific architecture we see all along the Grand Strand.

1. The Ideal Solution for Sliding Glass Doors and Lanais

That beautiful 12-foot or 16-foot sliding glass door that gives you a perfect ocean view? It’s also your home’s single largest vulnerability. Accordion shutters are one of the few systems that can easily and affordably protect these massive openings. We can install single-span shutters that pull from one side or bi-parting shutters that meet in the middle, giving you a wall of armor-like aluminum that glides into place with minimal effort.

2. A Must-Have for Condos and Balconies

If you live in a Myrtle Beach condo, accordion shutters are practically a necessity. HOAs love them because their storage stacks are relatively slim and can be painted to match the building, minimizing the aesthetic impact. More importantly, they are the *only* practical way to secure your balcony doors and windows on the 10th floor. You simply cannot install panels on a high-rise balcony. Accordion shutters provide the “lock and leave” peace of mind that condo owners and vacation homeowners demand.

3. No More Ladders: Securing Second and Third-Story Windows

For any multi-story home, accordion shutters are a massive safety upgrade. Every year, we hear stories of homeowners falling from ladders while trying to hang plywood or panels in the wind and rain. With accordion shutters, you deploy them from the window opening itself or from a balcony. There is zero reason to ever get on a ladder to prepare for a storm again.

Our Product: The Bertha HV Accordion Shutter System

A shutter system is only as good as its weakest link. That’s why American Hurricane Shutters is a proud installer of the Bertha HV Accordion Shutter system, manufactured by industry leader Eastern Metal Supply (ASSA). These aren’t the flimsy, rattling accordions you might remember from the 1980s.

When we pair this superior product with our expert installation—using 18-8 stainless steel fasteners that won’t rust—you get a system that will last for decades.

Accordion Shutters vs. Other Popular Shutter Options

How do accordions stack up against the competition? Here’s a quick, honest comparison:

Feature	Accordion Shutters	Storm Panels	Rolldown Shutters
Avg. Cost	~$34 / sq ft	~$18-22 / sq ft	~$48 / sq ft (+ $700 for motor)
Permanently Installed?	Yes	No	Yes
Convenience	Excellent (Deploys in seconds)	Poor (Heavy, requires storage & labor)	Superior (Push-button)
Aesthetics	Good (Visible stack on wall)	Poor (Anchors visible)	Superior (Hides in a box)
Best For	Best all-around value; Condos; Sliding Doors	Lowest budget; DIY-capable	Ultimate convenience; Aesthetics

The American Hurricane Shutters Installation Promise

As you can see, the product itself is only half the equation. A perfectly engineered Bertha HV shutter will fail if it’s not anchored correctly to your home. At American Hurricane Shutters, installation is our specialty.

We are not a “sell-it-and-forget-it” company. We are a local, family-owned, and disabled-owned business that has been serving the Carolinas since 2007. When you hire us, you get a promise:

• No Subcontractors. Ever. Our own full-time, trained, and insured employees will be on your property.
• Total Protection. We are fully insured with General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and a $2,000,000 umbrella policy. This protects you from all liability during installation.
• Expertise. We are a proud member of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association (HBA) and have installed thousands of shutter systems. We know the local codes in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Pawleys Island inside and out.
• Local Accountability. Our owner, Matthew Burns, is personally involved to ensure every job meets our high standards. You can see our gallery of past projects as proof.