How to Maintain Your Hurricane Shutters
Proper hurricane shutter maintenance is the difference between a system that deploys in 90 seconds and one that jams when a storm is 24 hours away. This guide covers every system we install — follow it and your shutters will perform for 15+ years.
The Four Rules That Apply to Every System
Regardless of which hurricane shutter system you have installed, these four principles apply universally across all products.
Hurricane Shutter Maintenance Guide
Select your shutter type below for detailed maintenance instructions. All of our maintenance specifications come directly from the manufacturer and from our own installation team’s 35+ years of field experience on the Carolina coast. Follow these steps and your shutters will perform reliably for 15 or more years.
If you are unsure which system you have, call us at +19102561288 and we can identify the product from your installation records and walk you through the correct maintenance procedure.
- Do not leave panel hardware (clips, bolts, wing nuts) in the tracks when the panels are not installed. Hardware left in tracks corrodes rapidly in the coastal salt-air environment and may seize, making it difficult or impossible to install panels when a storm approaches. Store all hardware indoors between storm seasons.
- Clean panels and tracks 1–2 times per year using dilute dish soap and a soft bristle brush. Rinse with a garden hose. Never pressure wash.
- Inspect all panel edges for damage or deformation after each storm season. Bent or dented panels may not seal or latch correctly — contact us for replacement panels if any are damaged.
- Apply a thin coat of silicone lubricant to all track channels annually to keep panels sliding smoothly during installation.
- Do not leave panel hardware (clips, bolts, wing nuts) in the tracks when the clear panels are not installed. Store all hardware indoors between storm seasons to prevent corrosion.
- Store clear polycarbonate panels out of direct sunlight when not in use. Prolonged UV exposure will cause yellowing and surface degradation that reduces both clarity and impact resistance over time. Store panels vertically in a shaded, ventilated area.
- Clean panels using warm water and mild dish soap with a soft microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge. Never use abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads — they will permanently scratch the surface. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.
- Inspect panels annually for crazing, yellowing, or impact damage. Degraded panels should be replaced before the next storm season.
- Use monthly. Operating accordion hurricane shutters at least once per month is essential to keep all moving parts free and prevent salt-induced corrosion from binding the mechanism.
- When the accordion shutter is in the closed position, the inside fold’s “hinge” opens so that you can clean and wash it using the hose — or if heavily soiled — wipe it out with a sponge and dish soap. Wipe down all of the exposed inner joints while the shutter is in this closed position.
- Let the wiped joints dry and then apply dry lubricant spray from top to bottom on the inside “hinge” of each fold. Once each of the inner fold joints are sprayed, open and close the shutter to work the lubricant in.
- The weight of the accordion shutter hangs down from the top wheels so those wheels in the top track need to be kept cleaned and lubricated with your dry lubricant spray also. Spray the lubricant in the cleaned top track where the wheels are then open and close the shutter a few times to work it in.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the spray lubricant is safe for plastic if you plan to lubricate those top wheels. We have seen issues with the accelerant in some sprays cracking the wheel over time because the spray was not rated safe for use with plastic components. - We recommend storing the push locks inside when not in use. However, if you leave them on the accordion shutter, we recommend leaving them in the locked position with the dust cap firmly secured. When performing this maintenance, spray the silicone lubricant liberally into the lock from the side and from the face, push the lock in a few times to work in the lubricant, then lock again.
- We also provide salt water locks. The salt water locks can be left with the handle installed (provided that you reapply anti-seize every other year to the bolts) or you can store them inside between deployments. If stored inside, there may be buildup on the threads inside the plate. To clean, we suggest using an 8mm nylon bore brush (either with a drill or by hand) to clear the threads.
- The push locks are the most common point of failure on accordion shutters. If you live on the ocean, we strongly recommend leaving the locks uninstalled and only installing them when actually deploying the shutters for a storm. The locks require only a Phillips screwdriver to install and can be installed from inside the home.
- Use monthly. Operating rolldown hurricane shutters monthly keeps tracks clear, prevents slat corrosion, and ensures the locking mechanism engages smoothly when you need it.
- Keep the guide tracks clean by brushing them out and cleaning regularly. Clean the tracks using a soft bristle brush, cloth, or sponge and soapy water. Make sure the felt strips (if present) in the tracks are clean and free of debris. Frequent use of the shutter itself is the most effective way to keep the tracks clear.
- Clean rolldown shutter slats using a vertical motion only. Avoid a horizontal wiping motion that could misalign the slats and jam the shutter inside the housing.
- Keep the shutter travel area — the full path the shutter takes from housing to floor — completely clear of furniture, potted plants, and all other objects. If the shutter strikes an object during operation, misalignment or permanent damage can occur and may result in costly repairs or replacement.
- For electric rolldown shutters: operate the motor a minimum of twice per month. Motor operation generates heat inside the tube, which eliminates condensation and moisture buildup that would otherwise corrode the internal components. This is especially important for electric rolldowns installed on covered porches or in areas with limited airflow.
- Use monthly. Lower and raise Bahama shutters at least once per month to keep all hinges, arms, and collar hardware moving freely.
- In order to keep your Bahama hurricane shutters in top condition, we recommend removing the thumbscrews and coating them yearly with an anti-seize product compatible with both aluminum and stainless steel. This ensures that the thumbscrews will not seize against the collars, which would prevent you from changing the angle of your shutters or closing them in an emergency.
- Wash the telescoping prop arms with soap and water, allow them to dry completely, and then lubricate with a dry silicone lubricant. Then operate the shutter several times to work the lubricant into all contact surfaces. If you have an articulating Bahama shutter, repeat this lubrication process on the ends of the movable louvers as well.
- We also recommend storing your locking pins inside when the Bahama shutter is not deployed. Leaving locking pins in the channels when not in use allows salt and debris to accumulate around them, which can cause them to stick in the channel and leave you unable to lock the shutter down in a storm situation.
- Use monthly. Swing colonial shutters closed and latch them at least once per month to keep all hinges and storm bar hardware moving freely.
- Inspect and wash the hinges with soap and water. Allow all hardware to dry completely, then apply dry silicone lubricant to all hinge pivot points, storm bar brackets, and locking hardware. Operate the shutter several times to work the lubricant into all contact surfaces.
- Inspect all hinge bolts annually for corrosion. Tighten any that have worked loose. Replace any hardware showing significant corrosion — corroded hinges on a rated colonial shutter can cause the shutter to fail at the hinge point under wind pressure, defeating the purpose of the rated system.
- For decorative Bahama shutters: make sure the collars work properly so you can still close the shutters in the event of a hurricane. This requires applying anti-seize compound to the thumbscrew on the collars at least once per year. Even decorative Bahama shutters may provide meaningful protection if they can be fully closed — do not allow the collar hardware to seize from neglect.
- If you actually operate your decorative colonial shutters — swinging them closed regularly — follow all of the maintenance instructions for the rated colonial shutters above. The hinge and locking hardware is identical and requires the same cleaning and lubrication routine.
- Use monthly. Operate rolldown hurricane screens at least once per month to keep tracks clear and verify smooth operation.
- Keep the guide tracks clean by brushing them out and cleaning regularly. Clean the tracks using a soft bristle brush, cloth, or sponge and soapy water. Make sure the felt strips (if present) in the tracks are clean and free of debris. Frequent use helps keep the tracks clear between formal cleaning sessions.
- Keep the screen travel area completely clear of furniture, potted plants, and all other objects. If the screen hits an object during operation, misalignment or damage can occur and may result in costly fabric or housing repairs.
- If your hurricane screen has an electric motor, operate the motor a minimum of twice per month. Operating the motor generates heat inside the barrel tube and eliminates moisture and condensation that would otherwise corrode the motor and internal drive components. This is especially important in the high-humidity coastal environment.
- No structural maintenance is required for flat polycarbonate hurricane panels. Regular cleaning is recommended to maintain optical clarity and prolong the service life of the product.
- Pre-rinse the polycarbonate surface with warm water to remove loose surface debris. Use a clean microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge to wash with a diluted mixture of mild soap or detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To prevent water spots, dry with a clean soft cloth immediately after rinsing.
- Recommended cleaning products: Top Job, Joy, Palmolive, and ammonia-free Windex. Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or ammonia-based glass cleaners — all of these will permanently scratch or cloud the polycarbonate surface.
- In the event of a serious contaminant such as tar, heavy oil, graffiti, paint, ink, or adhesive residue, use a clean cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol to remove it. Be careful to limit the amount of solvent used and do not saturate the surface — excessive isopropyl alcohol can damage or cloud the polycarbonate if overapplied.
What to Keep on Hand
These are the specific products our installation team uses and recommends. The right lubricant and anti-seize compound make the difference between hardware that lasts 15 years and hardware that seizes in 3.
Hurricane Shutter Maintenance in the Coastal NC and SC Environment
The coastal Carolina environment is one of the most demanding environments any aluminum product can face. Salt-laden air, high humidity, UV exposure, and the mechanical stress of wind-driven rain all accelerate corrosion and wear on hurricane shutter systems. Shutters that receive zero maintenance in this environment typically begin to show operational problems within 3–5 years. The same shutters maintained per this guide routinely last 15–20 years with no loss of function.
The critical distinction is that maintenance problems are almost always caught and corrected during routine monthly operation — a thumbscrew that is slightly stiff today is a thumbscrew that can’t be turned during a storm watch in six months. Our customers who have maintained their shutters since the 1990s still have systems that operate as well as the day they were installed. The ones who call us for emergency repairs in August are almost always the ones who haven’t operated their shutters since the previous storm season.
The Annual Maintenance Schedule We Recommend
We recommend two cleaning sessions per year: one in late April or early May before hurricane season begins, and one in November after the season ends. Each cleaning session should include: (1) vacuuming all tracks with a crevice tool to remove salt crystal buildup; (2) washing all exposed surfaces with dilute dish soap and a soft brush; (3) rinsing with a garden hose and allowing to dry; (4) applying silicone lubricant to all moving parts; (5) inspecting and applying anti-seize to all threaded hardware; and (6) fully deploying and testing every shutter.
The entire routine takes approximately 45 minutes for a standard home. If you would prefer to have our team handle your annual inspection, we offer paid maintenance visits throughout coastal NC and SC. Call +19102561288 to schedule.
The Most Common Maintenance Mistakes We See
The single most common mistake: using WD-40 as a lubricant. WD-40 is a water displacer and penetrating oil, not a long-term lubricant. It leaves a residue that attracts salt and dirt, degrades rubber seals, and ultimately makes corrosion worse. Use Super Lube with Syncolon or another dry silicone product exclusively.
The second most common: pressure washing. A pressure washer forces water into sealed housing units on rolldown and screen systems, causing internal corrosion of the barrel and motor. It also strips the powder-coat finish, exposing bare aluminum to salt air. Garden hose pressure is more than sufficient for all hurricane shutter cleaning.
The third: leaving accordion shutter locks installed year-round on oceanfront properties. The push locks on accordion shutters are the most corrosion-vulnerable component of the system. On ocean-facing installations, remove and store locks inside when not deployed for a storm. They install and remove with a Phillips screwdriver in under a minute per lock.
When to Call Us for a Repair or Inspection
Contact us at +19102561288 if during your monthly or annual maintenance you notice: any shutter that will not open or close smoothly despite proper lubrication; a lock that will not engage or disengage; visible corrosion on the structural aluminum extrusion (not just the surface finish); any anchor bolt or fastener that cannot be tightened; damage to rolldown slats from impact; or any electric motor that makes unusual sounds or operates erratically. We provide paid repair and service visits throughout coastal NC and SC for all systems we have installed, as well as many systems installed by other companies. See our installation and service information for more details.
Serving coastal communities effectively requires local expertise, from installing New Hanover County hurricane shutters to providing commercial hurricane shutters in Wilmington, NC. Read the complete guide to hurricane shutters in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach or check out a guide to residential storm shutters in Wrightsville Beach. Further down the coast, we tackle commercial storm shutters for Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach and offer hurricane shutter maintenance and repair for Myrtle Beach, SC. If you are exploring storm screens, check out Myrtle Beach hurricane screen reviews to see if Stormtex screens are worth it. We also regularly handle Brunswick County shutter repair and Southport maintenance for area properties.
Request a Service Visit or Free Estimate
Need a professional maintenance inspection, a repair, or a quote on a new installation? We respond within one business day and offer same-week scheduling throughout coastal NC and SC.
Need a Repair or New Installation?
Free in-home estimates throughout coastal NC and SC. Paid repair and service visits available for all hurricane shutter systems. Serving the Carolina coast since 2007.
