Do My Shutters Need to Be “Hurricane-Rated” in Myrtle Beach? Understanding SC Building Codes

If you’re a homeowner in Myrtle Beach, you’ve heard the terms: “hurricane-rated,” “code-approved,” “impact-rated,” and “wind-load-compliant.” It’s a confusing alphabet soup of jargon. Do you *really* need to worry about all that, or can you just buy some nice-looking shutters and call it a day?

This is one of the most critical—and most misunderstood—parts of protecting your home. As a local, expert installer who has been navigating these exact codes since 2007, we at American Hurricane Shutters are here to give you a clear, no-nonsense answer.

The stakes are high. Installing a non-compliant system isn’t just a code violation; it’s a false sense of security that can lead to catastrophic failure, a voided warranty, and a denied insurance claim. This article will demystify the South Carolina building code for storm protection so you can make an informed, safe decision.

The Short Answer: Yes, Absolutely.

Let’s get right to it. If you are installing new storm protection on your home in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, or anywhere in Horry and Georgetown counties, yes, your shutters absolutely must be “hurricane-rated” and code-approved.

This isn’t a suggestion or a “best practice.” It is a legal requirement mandated by the South Carolina Residential Code.

Why? Because you live in one of the most vulnerable, high-risk areas in the country. The code is designed to do one thing: prevent the catastrophic failure of your home’s “building envelope.” When a window or door is breached by flying debris, it allows destructive wind and rain to enter the home. More dangerously, it causes a sudden, violent pressurization of your house that can lift the roof off from the inside out.

Rated shutters are not just “window covers.” They are life-safety systems designed to prevent this exact scenario.

What Does “Hurricane-Rated” Actually Mean?

This is the most important part. “Hurricane-rated” is not a marketing term. It is an engineering and testing certification. For a shutter to earn this rating, it must pass a brutal, two-part test.

1. It’s Not Just About Wind: The Large Missile Impact Test

A hurricane’s greatest weapon isn’t just the wind; it’s what the wind *throws*. The “large missile impact test” is designed to simulate this debris.

During the test, a shutter is mounted on a test wall, and a 9-pound 2×4 stud is shot out of an air cannon at it, typically at 34 miles per hour (50 feet per second). This simulates a piece of a neighbor’s roof or a tree limb in a Category 3 hurricane. The shutter must stop this missile from penetrating the opening. If it shatters, breaks, or allows the 2×4 to pass through, it fails.

This is the primary difference between a “decorative” shutter and a “protective” shutter. A pretty plastic or thin aluminum shutter will be annihilated by this test.

2. The Pressure Cycling Test

This is the second part of the test, and it’s even more brutal. Immediately after being smashed by the 2×4, the *same damaged shutter* is subjected to thousands of “pressure cycles.”

The machine rapidly applies and releases intense inward and outward pressure, simulating the violent, shifting gusts of a hurricane that pull and push on a home for hours. The shutter must remain intact and anchored to the wall. It cannot tear apart or rip off its hinges. This test proves that the shutter will hold together *even after* it has been damaged by debris, protecting your home for the duration of the storm.

When you see that a shutter is “hurricane-rated,” it means it has passed these violent, destructive tests.

Decoding South Carolina’s Building Code for Storm Protection

The South Carolina building code adopts the International Residential Code (IRC) and adds state-specific amendments. The most important one for you is the “Wind-Borne Debris Region.”

The “Wind-Borne Debris Region”

This is a specific geographic area defined by law as being at high risk for debris from hurricane-force winds. All of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and the entire SC coast are located squarely inside this region.

The code is crystal clear: If your home is in the Wind-Borne Debris Region, all openings (windows, sliding glass doors, entry doors) must be protected.

You have two choices to comply:

1. Install impact-rated glass (a very expensive option).
2. Install a code-approved, impact-rated protective system—like hurricane shutters.

What About Plywood?

While the code has complex, prescriptive methods for field-cut plywood, it’s a risky, unreliable, and non-reusable solution. It’s nearly impossible for a homeowner to install plywood in a way that truly meets the structural anchoring requirements, and inspectors know this.

A far superior solution is our Bertha HV storm panels. For a price that’s highly competitive with the *cost of replacing plywood every few years*, you get a reusable, lightweight, and fully engineered system. Our aluminum panels ($18/sq ft) and clear panels ($22/sq ft) are both fully code-approved and impact-rated.

How American Hurricane Shutters Guarantees Your Home is Compliant

The code is complex, but for our customers, the solution is simple. We handle everything. Our status as an expert, local installer and member of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association (HBA) means we are masters of this process.

1. We ONLY Sell Products That Meet or Exceed SC Codes

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Every single *rated* product we sell is compliant with the hurricane shutter code requirements for Myrtle Beach. We provide the engineering documents and approval numbers to prove it. This includes:

• ASSA Bertha HV Systems: Our Storm Panels (Clear & Aluminum) and Accordion Shutters are proven workhorses that meet the highest standards.
• Alutech United Systems: Our premium Rolldown Shutters and StormTex Hurricane Screens are engineered for the toughest wind loads.
• Town & Country and ASSA: Our rated Bahama and Colonial shutters provide style that is fully code-compliant.
• Cleartek Polycarbonate: Our rated flat polycarbonate sheets are an impact-rated, clear solution that is fully approved.

2. We Handle the Entire Permitting Process

For almost all shutter installations, a building permit is required by your local municipality (City of Myrtle Beach, Horry County, etc.). This permit is your #1 protection as a homeowner. It ensures the job is documented and inspected by a third-party official to verify it meets the code.

Our expert team handles 100% of this process. We submit the plans, the product approvals, and the engineering documents. We meet the inspector on-site. Our experience since 2007 means we know exactly what they’re looking for, ensuring your project is approved quickly and without hassle.

3. A “Rated” Shutter is Only Rated if Installed Correctly

This is the final, critical piece. A hurricane-rated shutter is *not* rated if you install it with the wrong screws or anchor it to the wrong part of your wall. The manufacturer’s approval is 100% dependent on following the exact installation instructions, which specify fastener type, spacing, and embedment depth.

This is why a DIY or “handyman” installation is so dangerous. It voids the product’s rating, its warranty, and your insurance discount. Our in-house, fully-trained crews (never subcontractors) install every shutter exactly to these engineering specs. Our $2,000,000 umbrella policy and full Workers’ Comp coverage mean the job is done right and you are fully protected.

The Real-World Benefits of a Code-Compliant Installation

Following the South Carolina building code for storm protection isn’t just about checking a box. It provides tangible, long-term value.

• Real Peace of Mind: You will know, for a fact, that your home is protected by a system that has been scientifically tested to withstand a hurricane.
• Insurance Discounts: A permitted, code-compliant installation by a professional company is what your insurance carrier requires to grant you a wind mitigation discount. This can save you hundreds of dollars every year, allowing the shutters to pay for themselves.
• Increased Home Value: A non-permitted installation is a liability that will be flagged by a home inspector when you try to sell. A professional, permitted system from a company like American Hurricane Shutters is a major asset and selling point.

Conclusion: Don’t Guess, Call the Experts

“Hurricane-rated” isn’t a marketing buzzword. In Myrtle Beach, it’s the law, and it’s the minimum standard for protecting your family and your biggest investment. The codes are complex, but the solution is simple: hire a local, insured, and expert company that understands them and handles the entire process.

Don’t gamble on a “decorative” shutter or a handyman installation. Get the real, compliant protection your coastal home deserves.