The Real Cost of Electric Hurricane Shutters in Wilmington, NC (2026 Guide)

You’re searching for `cost of electric hurricane shutters` or `how much do electric hurricane shutters cost`. This is a fantastic, high-intent search. It means you’ve already moved past the “plywood” debate. You’ve decided you want the “ultimate” solution: the “push-button” convenience, “invisible” storage, and 2-in-1 storm and security protection of a **Roll Down Shutter**.

You’re not asking “what is it?”‚Äîyou’re asking “what’s the bottom line?”

You’ve come to the right place. At American Hurricane Shutters, we are Wilmington’s local, family-owned, and fully insured experts in these premium systems. We believe in 100% price transparency. High-end, “white-glove” service should also mean honest, straightforward pricing.

This is your 2026 guide to the *real cost* of electric rolldown shutters. We’re not going to give you a vague “it depends.” We’re going to give you the exact numbers we use for our quotes every day, so you can pre-qualify yourself and understand the incredible value of your investment.

The AHS Price Promise: No Surprises, Just Real Numbers

When you get a quote from us, it’s an “all-in” number. It includes the custom-manufactured shutter, all tracks and hardware, our professional, in-house (never subcontractor) installation, and the full backing of our **$2,000,000 Umbrella Policy**. The price we quote is the price you pay.

So, let’s break down the `electric hurricane shutters cost`.

The pricing is a simple, two-part formula:

(Base Shutter Cost) + (Motorization Cost) = Your Total Investment

H3: Part 1: The Base Shutter Cost – Approx. $48/sq ft

The foundation of the system is our **Manual Rated Roll Down Shutter**. This is the premium, impact-rated shutter itself, made from heavy-duty aluminum slats from top brands like **Alutech United** and **ASSA (Bertha HV)**. It’s operated with a simple, reliable hand crank.

This base system, including professional installation, starts at **$48 per square foot**.

H3: Part 2: The Electric Motor Cost – Approx. $700/opening

This is the upgrade you’re here for. To transform that “manual” shutter into an “electric” one, we add a high-quality, sealed, reliable motor.

The cost to add motorization is a flat upcharge of **$700 per opening**.

This $700 fee isn’t just for the motor itself. It includes the motor, the waterproof housing, the interior wall switch (or remote receiver), and the expert electrical connection work done by our trained technicians. It’s the “all-in” price for “push-button” convenience.

Let’s put it all together.

The “Real Cost” Formula:

(Total Square Footage x $48) + ($700 x Number of Shutters) = Your Total Investment

A Real-World Wilmington Cost Example

Let’s look at a common scenario: protecting the *entire back* of a beautiful home in Porters Neck or Landfall. You have two 6-foot-wide bedroom windows and one large 12-foot sliding glass door.

• Bedroom Windows (x2): 6 ft wide x 5 ft tall = 30 sq ft each (60 sq ft total)
• Sliding Glass Door (x1): 12 ft wide x 7 ft tall = 84 sq ft
• Total Square Footage: 144 sq ft
• Total Openings: 3

Here is the transparent cost breakdown:

1. Base Shutter Cost: 144 sq ft x $48/sq ft = $6,912
2. Electric Motor Cost: 3 openings x $700/opening = $2,100
3. Total Investment: $6,912 + $2,100 = $9,012

For around $9,000, you have just permanently, “invisibly,” and securely protected the entire, most vulnerable side of your home. You’ve added a system that you can deploy in 30 seconds with the push of a button.

You can get a fast, personalized estimate for *your* home right now using our online cost calculator.

Is the $700 Electric Upgrade “Worth It”? A Value Breakdown

This is the real question. You’re trying to decide between the **$6,912** manual system and the **$9,012** electric system. Is that $2,100 difference worth it? As your local experts, we believe it is the *single best value* in the entire industry. That $700 per opening doesn’t just buy you a motor; it buys you three critical, non-negotiable benefits.

H3: 1. It Buys You *Speed* (The “5-Minute” vs. “1-Hour” Plan)

A manual crank is reliable, but it takes time. It can take 2-3 minutes of constant, physical cranking to lower a large shutter. For our 3-shutter example, you’re looking at 10-15 minutes of labor.

With an **electric** system, you press three buttons. The entire job is done in **30 seconds**.

This speed is *critical* for second-home owners (e.g., on Wrightsville Beach) or for anyone with mobility issues. It’s the difference between “I’ll do it later” and “It’s done now.”

H3: 2. It Buys You *Security* (The “365-Day” Benefit)

This is the most underrated benefit. A roll down shutter is the *best security system* you can buy. A locked-down aluminum shutter is a physical, impenetrable barrier.

Because the manual crank is a “chore,” you will *only* use it for a hurricane. Because the electric system is “effortless,” you will use it *all the time*.

• Going on vacation? *Click*. The house is a fortress.
• Leaving your beach house for the season? *Click*. It’s secure.
• Want to block the harsh, 4 PM sun? *Click*. Instant shade.

The motor transforms your “storm shutter” into a “365-day security and shade” system. You will get 100x more use and value from the electric upgrade. It is, without question, the #1 choice for second homes.

H3: 3. It Buys You *Safety* (The “No-Ladder, No-Risk” Plan)

Your “manual” option for a second-story window is a hand-crank operated from the *inside*, which is still a chore. The “electric” option is a wall switch. It’s the ultimate in “no-ladder, no-risk” safety. For any homeowner, and *especially* for seniors, this removal of all physical labor is the ultimate peace-of-mind feature.

The “Hidden” Value: How Electric Shutters Pay You Back

The “real cost” isn’t just the $9,012 investment. It’s how that investment pays you back over time.

H3: 1. Avoiding Your Deductible

What is your hurricane deductible? On a $700,000 Wilmington home, a 3% deductible is **$21,000**. That is your out-of-pocket cost for a *single* storm breach. Your $9,000 investment just saved you from a $21,000 loss, a 230% ROI in one storm.

H3: 2. Insurance Discounts

A “push-button” electric system is a *premium* wind mitigation upgrade. Insurance companies love them because they are so easy to deploy, which means you’re more likely to use them. This can qualify you for the highest tier of “wind mitigation” discounts. Check with your agent and the NC Department of Insurance. The annual savings can be substantial.

H3: 3. Resale Value

In a high-end market like Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach, an “invisible,” electric-operated shutter system is a *massive* selling feature. It’s a “wow” factor that adds tangible, five-figure value to your home and sets it apart from other listings.

Why AHS is Your “White-Glove” Wilmington Installer

You’ve decided on a premium, electric system. You *must* hire a premium, professional installer. A bad installation from an uninsured “handyman” will void the shutter’s rating, fry the electrical, and be a massive liability.

We are your local, “white-glove” experts. We are a **family-owned (Matthew Burns, Founder), disabled-owned company** based at 1200 Castle Hayne Road. We are **fully insured with a $2,000,000 Umbrella Policy** and full Workers’ Comp. Our in-house (never subcontractor) teams are *trained* in the mechanical and electrical installation of these elite **Alutech** and **ASSA** systems. We are the low-risk, high-trust partner that premium homes in Landfall and Porters Neck demand. Our installation process is clean, professional, and perfect.

FAQs: Electric Shutter Costs in Wilmington, NC

Q: What if the power goes out? Am I stuck?

A: No. This is the #1 question. **We always install our electric systems with a manual override.** This is a small, built-in gearbox that allows you to operate the shutter with a simple hand crank. You are never, ever locked out or left vulnerable. You get both “push-button” convenience and “power-outage” reliability.

Q: Will the housing box be big and ugly?

A: Not at all. Modern rolldown housings (from Alutech) are incredibly compact and sleek. They mount *above* the window, so your view is 100% unobstructed. We color-match them to your trim, and on new construction, they can even be built *into* the soffit, making them completely invisible. See our past projects for examples.

Q: Are the motors reliable in our salty, humid air?

A: Yes. The high-quality motors we use are fully sealed within the housing, protected from direct salt spray. They are designed for a long, low-maintenance life. We also offer a full annual maintenance service to keep them in perfect shape.

Your Next Step: Get Your Free “Push-Button” Quote

You’ve done the research. You know the *real cost* and the *incredible value*. You’re ready for the “no-compromise” solution that provides “push-button” peace of mind.

Call American Hurricane Shutters today. As your local, insured, and family-owned expert, we’ll come to your Wilmington-area home for a 100% free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll give you a transparent, all-inclusive quote for the last storm protection system you’ll ever need to buy.