Top-of-the-Line Protection

Electric & Manual Rolldown
Hurricane Shutters for Coastal Homes

The ultimate in home protection and convenience — permanently installed, storm-rated, and deployable at the touch of a button or turn of a crank.

Get a Free Estimate Call +19102561288

$48/sq ft

Starting Price

20+

Color Options

OSHA-30

Certified Installer

Electric rolldown hurricane shutters on a coastal NC home

Electric & Manual Systems

ASTM & TAS Rated

Manual rolldown starting at

$48/ sq ft installed

Electric (motorized) systems: $48/sq ft + $700 per opening. Manual pulldown: $48/sq ft + $400 per opening.

Free in-home quote

No obligation · Same-week scheduling

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Overview

The Ultimate in Protection and Convenience

Rolldown hurricane shutters represent the pinnacle of home protection and convenience. For the homeowner who wants uncompromising storm protection without sacrificing curb appeal or ease of use, rolldowns are the definitive choice.

As the leading provider of hurricane shutters in Wilmington, North Carolina, we specialize in permanently installed systems that glide on tracks and secure in seconds. Every installation includes our full design pressure analysis and compliance documentation — not a generic spec sheet.

Both electric and manual systems carry identical storm ratings. The difference is in how they deploy. Electric rolldowns descend at the touch of a button — ideal for second-story openings and homeowners who aren’t always present when a storm approaches. Manual rolldowns use a hand crank or pulldown strap and require no power — a meaningful advantage when the grid is down and a storm is 12 hours out.

Every system we install is custom-fabricated to your exact opening dimensions from double-walled aluminum extrusions. We fasten each track into your structural framing using 18-8 stainless steel fasteners sized to our site-specific Design Pressure analysis for your address.

Rolldown hurricane shutter on a coastal home

Electric vs. Manual

Choosing Your System

Both options provide identical hurricane-rated protection. The right choice depends on your home, how you use it, and your budget.

Electric Storm Shutters (Motorized)Premium Option

Deploy with the touch of a button — no physical effort required

Ideal for second-story openings and large spans

Can be integrated with smart home systems and timers

Best for second homeowners who need remote deployment

$700 per opening motor surcharge above the base sq ft price

Requires power — have a backup plan if grid is down

Manual Storm Shutters (Crank or Pulldown)Most Popular

Same storm-rated protection as electric at a lower price

No power required — works during outages when storms hit

Lower maintenance — no motor or wiring to service

Pulldown upgrade (+$400/opening) is faster than a crank

Requires manual operation — more effort on large openings

Must be present to deploy before a storm

vs. Other Products

Rolldowns vs. Every Other Option

An honest comparison of rolldowns against each alternative we install. We carry all seven shutter types, so our recommendation is based on your home, not our inventory.

vs. Storm PanelsRolldowns Win on Ease

Rolldowns deploy in seconds; panels require ladders, storage, and physical installation

Permanently installed — no pre-storm setup beyond deploying

Storm panels start at $18/sq ft — significantly less expensive upfront

vs. Accordion ShuttersRolldowns Win on Aesthetics

Electric rolldowns are faster to deploy than any manual shutter

Lower-profile housing — more discreet when open

Accordion shutters start at $34/sq ft — roughly half the price

vs. Hurricane ScreensRolldowns Win on Versatility

Rolldowns can protect any opening; screens are limited to porches and lanais

Rigid aluminum construction — no risk of fabric contact with glass

Hurricane screens span wider openings with no center post

vs. Bahamas & ColonialsRolldowns Win on Speed

Rolldowns deploy much faster, especially motorized versions

Can protect sliding doors and large openings Bahamas cannot cover

Bahamas and colonials offer more year-round curb appeal

Product Ratings

Why Rolldowns Are Our Top-of-the-Line Solution

Minimal Maintenance

Rolldowns are engineered to disappear when you don’t need them and deploy in seconds when you do. Annual lubrication and monthly operation are all that’s needed to keep a manual system ready. Electric motors are sealed against salt air and require virtually no service.

Design Pressure Rated

Every rolldown system we install is specified to the design pressure requirements for your specific address. We perform a site-specific DP analysis — not a generic calculation — so your shutters are rated for the actual wind loads at your property.

Impact Rated

Our rolldown shutters meet ASTM E1886, E1996, and TAS 201/202/203 impact ratings. Manual and electric systems carry identical certifications. We source from industry leaders including ASSA Shutters (Bertha HV) and Alutech United, ensuring every system meets or exceeds current building codes.

Easy to Use

Manual shutters use a simple hand crank or pulldown strap — no electrician required, no power dependency, no app to learn. Motorized systems use a standard wall switch or remote. Either way, your entire home can be secured in minutes.

Energy Savings

Double-walled aluminum construction provides meaningful insulation value, reducing heat gain through windows and glass doors. Many homeowners in coastal NC and SC see measurable reductions in summer cooling costs after installation.

Insurance Benefits

Rolldown shutters qualify for wind mitigation credits in NC and SC. We provide all product approval documentation and complete the wind mitigation form your insurer needs. American Hurricane Shutters carries GL, workers’ compensation, and a $2M umbrella policy on every job.

Our Local Expertise

Your Local, Insured Hurricane Shutter Experts Since 2007

American Hurricane Shutters is a family-owned and disabled-owned business dedicated to protecting our neighbors across coastal NC and SC. Fully insured with general liability, workers’ compensation, and a $2,000,000 umbrella policy.

We offer high-quality options for both electric and manual rolldown shutters, and we are transparent about pricing. Rolldowns are a premium product — their cost reflects advanced engineering, double-walled extrusion, and (if chosen) motorization. If the budget better suits accordion shutters or storm panels, we’ll tell you that instead of pushing a more expensive system.

View our past projects · See our installation process

AHS Carolinas installer measuring for rolldown shutters

★★★★★

“The electric rolldowns were worth every penny. Press a button and the whole house is secure in under a minute.”

Verified Google Review · Wrightsville Beach, NC

Common Questions

Rolldown Hurricane Shutter FAQ

Real answers from the team that installs rolldown shutters every week across coastal NC and SC. If your question isn’t here, call us or visit our full FAQ page.

Manual rolldown shutters start at $48 per square foot installed. Electric (motorized) systems add $700 per opening on top of the base price. Pulldown systems — which drop by hand rather than crank — add $400 per opening. A typical coastal home with 8-12 openings runs $12,000 to $28,000 for a full rolldown installation. Use our cost calculator for a personalized estimate, or call us for a free in-home quote.

Both systems use the same double-walled aluminum slats on the same track system and carry identical storm ratings. The only difference is how they deploy. Electric rolldowns use a motor controlled by a wall switch or remote and descend at the touch of a button. Manual rolldowns use a hand crank (operated from inside or outside) or a pulldown strap. Electric systems cost more — roughly $700 per opening in motor surcharge — and require power. Manual systems work during outages, require no electrician, and have fewer components to service.

It depends on how you use your home. Accordion shutters at $34/sq ft provide the same rated protection and deploy nearly as fast — the right answer for most full-time residents. Rolldowns make the most sense for second homeowners who want motorized remote deployment (so they don’t need to be present to secure the home), for very large openings where accordion stacks would be bulky, and for homeowners who prioritize the lowest possible profile when the shutter is open. If accordion shutters would serve you just as well, we will tell you that.

Manual rolldown shutters work entirely without power — that is one of their primary advantages over electric systems. Electric (motorized) rolldowns require power to operate normally, though most motors include a manual override crank for use during outages. If you are in an area prone to pre-storm power loss, a manual system or one with a battery backup motor is the more reliable choice.

Yes. Rolldown shutters are one of the cleanest solutions for sliding glass doors and large openings because the housing sits above the opening and the slats drop straight down — no side stacking required. They handle spans of 15+ feet without a center post when properly engineered. For very wide patio openings (20+ feet), hurricane screens may be worth comparing.

Yes, in most cases. NC and SC insurers offer wind mitigation credits for homes with impact-rated, permanently installed shutters covering all openings. We provide the product approval documentation and complete the wind mitigation inspection form your insurer needs. Many of our customers see premium reductions large enough to offset a meaningful portion of the installation cost within the first few renewal cycles.

The installation itself is typically one to two days for a full home. Because every shutter is custom-fabricated to your exact opening dimensions, the lead time from signed contract to installation day is typically 8 to 14 weeks for motorized systems and 4 to 8 weeks for manual systems. Order before May to ensure coverage before hurricane season peaks in August and September.

Yes, but it is minimal. Operate all shutters at least monthly to keep the mechanism moving freely and catch any issues early. Rinse slats and tracks with fresh water after salt exposure. Lubricate the guide rails with a dry silicone lubricant twice per year. For electric systems, have the motor inspected every two to three years. See our full Maintenance Guide for a type-by-type checklist.

In most cases, yes. Rolldown shutters store entirely out of sight in a housing box above each opening — when open, there is nothing visible on your home’s exterior. This makes them the easiest shutter type for HOA approval. We have submitted Architectural Modification Requests for hundreds of HOA properties across the coast and handle all the documentation. Housing color is custom powder-coated to match your home or HOA requirement.

We provide a 7-year workmanship warranty on every installation — the longest in the region. Full manufacturer product warranties apply on top of that. We deliver a signed warranty agreement at completion and return for paid service at any point during the shutter lifetime. We have been in business since 2007 and will still be here.

Free Estimate

Get Your Free Estimate

Protect your home with the Carolinas’ most trusted shutter installer.

Contact American Hurricane Shutters for a free, no-obligation in-home estimate. We respond within one business day and offer same-week scheduling throughout coastal NC and SC.

Call Us 24/7+19102561288 · +18438681390

Email the Owner[email protected]

Visit Us1200 Castle Hayne Road, Wilmington, NC 28401

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