Security & Storm Protection: The Best Roll Down Shutters for Myrtle Beach Second Homes

Owning a second home in Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach is a dream, but it comes with a unique, two-part anxiety. The first is the ever-present threat of hurricane season—the panic of watching a storm track toward the Grand Strand while you’re hundreds of miles away, unable to protect your investment.

The second is the off-season. For months, your beautiful beach house sits empty, a potential target for intrusion and vandalism. You’re left to worry about both a “Category 3” and a “criminal of opportunity.” An alarm system is a good start, but it only *alerts* you after someone is already inside.

You need a proactive, 2-in-1 solution. You need **Roll Down Hurricane Shutters**.

At American Hurricane Shutters, we are the premier partner for second-home owners on the Grand Strand. Since 2007, our family-owned company has specialized in providing “total peace of mind.” We understand you’re not just buying storm protection; you’re buying the ability to “lock, leave, and not worry.” This guide will break down your options, the costs, and why our rolldown systems are the #1 choice for part-time residents.

The “Second Home” Anxiety: A Dual Threat

A second home is a massive investment. Relying on a neighbor to install plywood (if they’re even in town) is not a plan. Let’s be honest about the dual threats you face.

1. The Storm Threat (When You’re Away)

This is the nightmare scenario. A storm forms, and you’re in Ohio, Pennsylvania, or New York. You’re completely helpless. A single broken window from flying debris is all it takes to cause a catastrophic breach. This leads to tens of thousands of dollars in wind and water damage that can sit and fester for *days* before you or your property manager can even assess it. By then, the damage is done.

2. The Security Threat (When It’s Empty)

If you search for `security shutters myrtle beach`, you’re not alone. An empty beach house in the off-season is a prime target. A glass window or sliding door is the easiest entry point for an intruder. An alarm system is reactive. A roll down shutter is *proactive*. It’s a physical, heavy-duty aluminum wall that stops the break-in before it ever happens.

Plywood actually makes it worse. A home boarded up with plywood is a giant, blinking sign that says, “THIS HOUSE IS EMPTY.” A sleek, deployed roll down shutter simply looks secure, private, and impenetrable.

The 2-in-1 Solution: How Roll Down Shutters Work

A roll down shutter is the most elegant and effective 2-in-1 system you can buy. It’s a “curtain” of interlocking, heavy-gauge aluminum slats that is permanently stored in a small, discreet box above your window or door. When you’re enjoying your view, it’s 100% invisible.

When you need protection, the curtain glides down heavy-duty side tracks and locks securely into place. It’s a solid, impenetrable, and **hurricane-rated** barrier. We install elite systems from top manufacturers like **Alutech United** and **ASSA (Bertha HV)**, ensuring your home is protected by the best engineering in the industry.

Manual vs. Electric: The Key Choice for the Second-Home Owner

This is the most important decision you’ll make. How will you deploy your shutters if you’re not in Myrtle Beach? This is the core of the “peace of mind” solution.

H3: Option 1: Manual Rated Rolldowns (The “Fortress”)

• Approx. Cost: $48 per square foot
• How it Works: This system is operated with a simple, easy-to-use hand crank (or other manual gear). It requires no electricity.
• Pros: Lower upfront cost. Rock-solid, simple, and reliable. Not dependent on power, which is a plus during a storm.
• The Big Con: Someone *must* be physically at your house to deploy them.
• Best For: The second-home owner who has a dedicated, local, and reliable property manager or a full-time neighbor who can deploy the shutters for them before a storm.

H3: Option 2: Electric Motorized Rolldowns (The “Total Peace of Mind”)

• Approx. Cost: $48 per square foot + $700 per opening (for motorization)
• How it Works: The shutter is operated with a simple wall switch or a remote control.
• Pros: The ultimate “push-button” convenience. No physical effort is required. Your property manager can secure your entire 3,000-square-foot home in 5 minutes, just by walking around and pressing buttons.
• The “Smart Home” Advantage: This is the game-changer. Motorized shutters can often be integrated with smart home systems. This means you *could* have the ability to deploy your shutters from your phone in New York. You can secure your entire home from 1,000 miles away.
• Best For: The out-of-town owner who wants zero reliance on others and the ultimate in convenience and security. This is the true “lock and leave” solution.

The Cost-Benefit Analysis: Protecting Your Grand Strand Investment

A premium roll down system is a serious investment, but it’s one that protects your primary investment. Let’s look at the numbers.

The average hurricane deductible in our area is often 2-5% of your home’s total insured value. For a $500,000 home in North Myrtle Beach, a 3% deductible is **$15,000**. That is your out-of-pocket cost *before* insurance pays a dime for a *single* storm breach.

A full-home installation of motorized rolldown shutters might cost around that same $15,000. But it’s a *one-time* cost that prevents the breach from ever happening. It also protects you from theft, lowers your insurance (in many cases), and adds significant resale value to your home. It’s a “front-end” investment that saves you from a “back-end” catastrophe.

Why Trust AHS as Your “Eyes-On-the-Ground” Partner?

As a second-home owner, you need a local contractor you can trust implicitly. You need a company that will be here for you when you’re not. That is our entire business model.

• We Are Local (Since 2007): We are not a “Florida company” that drives up. We are a family-owned, disabled-owned company based just up the road in Wilmington, NC. We have served the Grand Strand for over 15 years. We are your local partners.
• We Are Insured to Protect YOU: Your HOA *will* require this. We carry a **$2,000,000 Umbrella Policy,** plus full General Liability and Workers’ Comp. We will provide the Certificate of Insurance directly to your HOA or property manager for seamless approval.
• We Are a 24/7 Service Company: If you get an alert in the off-season, you can call us. Our 24/7-available team can be your “eyes on the ground” to check on your property or service a shutter.
• We Work With Your Team: We are experts at coordinating with property managers, HOAs, and realtors. We make the process simple and professional for you, even from a distance.

FAQs for Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach Second Home Owners

Q: What if the power is out and my electric shutters are down?

A: We *always* install our electric systems with a manual override. This is a small, gearbox port that allows you or your property manager to operate the shutter with a simple hand crank, just in case of a power failure. You are never, ever stuck.

Q: Will the shutter box be big and ugly on my new beach house?

A: Not at all. Modern rolldown housings (from Alutech and ASSA) are incredibly compact and sleek. We can powder-coat them in a variety of colors (white, beige, bronze) to perfectly match your home’s trim, making them blend in seamlessly.

Q: Can these really stop a break-in?

A: Absolutely. A deployed, locked roll down shutter is a solid wall of extruded aluminum. It’s not just a deterrent; it’s a physical barrier that is incredibly difficult and loud to bypass. It’s far superior to an alarm alone.

Q: Can the SC Safe Home Grant help me pay for these?

A: Yes! The SC Safe Home program is a fantastic grant for SC residents. Installing rated rolldown shutters is a key “wind mitigation” upgrade that is eligible for the grant. We are a registered contractor and can help you with the paperwork.

Get Your “Total Peace of Mind” Quote Today

Stop worrying about your Myrtle Beach investment from hundreds of miles away. A one-time investment in a roll down shutter system gives you two-in-one protection from storms and intruders, all at the push of a button.

Call American Hurricane Shutters today. We’ll schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at your convenience—we are happy to meet with your property manager, neighbor, or realtor. We will provide a fast, transparent quote with clear options for manual vs. electric, so you can finally “lock, leave, and not worry.”