The New Bern & Havelock Guide to Hurricane Shutter Protection

Welcome to the Inner Banks! Living in New Bern or Havelock means enjoying a unique part of the coastal Carolina lifestyle. You’re surrounded by rich history, from the stunning historic homes of New Bern to the proud military heritage of Havelock and Cherry Point. You’re also perfectly positioned on the Neuse and Trent Rivers, with the Crystal Coast just a short drive away.

But this beautiful location also carries a serious risk. As we all learned from devastating storms like Florence, our “inland” status does not make us safe. Hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, and, most importantly, flying debris are a massive threat to our homes and families. A last-minute “plywood plan” is a high-stress, low-value gamble, and it’s especially impractical for our military families in Havelock and damaging to the priceless historic homes in New Bern.

You need a real, permanent, and reliable storm protection plan. That’s why we’re here.

At American Hurricane Shutters, we are a local, family-owned company that has been protecting coastal Carolina homes since 2007. We are proud to be the premier, fully insured expert serving our northernmost market. This is your “pillar page”‚Äîyour complete guide to finding the perfect `hurricane shutters new bern nc` or `havelock storm shutters` for your home’s unique style and budget.

The “Inland” Myth: Why New Bern & Havelock Are a High-Risk Zone

It’s a common and dangerous misconception: “I’m not on the beach, so I’m safe.” This is false. A hurricane is a massive, powerful system that pushes destructive wind and debris far inland. New Bern’s location on the wide-open Neuse River can even act as a “wind tunnel,” accelerating gusts.

The #1 threat to your home, whether in New Bern or Havelock, is not storm surge. It’s **flying debris**. As FEMA’s mitigation reports consistently show, the most common way a home fails in a hurricane is when a window is broken by a flying tree branch, roof shingle, or piece of gravel.

Once your home’s “envelope” is breached, the wind gets inside. This causes a rapid, catastrophic build-up of pressure that can lift the roof off the walls. Your standard windows are *not* designed to stop this. Plywood is a gamble that it will hold. A **professionally-installed, impact-rated shutter** is an engineering guarantee that it will.

H3: The Problem with Plywood in Your Community

• For Historic New Bern: It’s unthinkable. Drilling lag bolts into 150-year-old brick or original wood siding causes irreversible, permanent damage to your home’s facade and historic value.
• For Havelock Military Families: It’s the “solo-spouse” nightmare. What happens when a storm is coming and one spouse is deployed, on base, or in the field? Is one person supposed to haul 60-pound boards up a 12-foot ladder, alone, with kids in the house? It’s an unsafe, impractical, and unfair plan.
• For Everyone: It’s a high-stress, high-risk, “last-minute” panic that involves dangerous ladder work and results in a dark, claustrophobic “cave.”

It’s time for a one-time, permanent investment in your safety and peace of mind.

A Local, Insured Partner You Can Trust (Since 2007)

We are not a “storm-chasing” crew. We are American Hurricane Shutters, a family-owned, disabled-owned company based right here in coastal North Carolina. Founded by Matthew Burns in 2007, we have spent over 15 years building a reputation for quality, reliability, and trust. Our service area covers the *entire* coast, from Pawleys Island, SC, all the way up to New Bern, NC.

When you’re choosing a contractor, “trust” is everything. Here is our promise to you:

• We Are Local: We are a proud member of the Wilmington-Cape Fear HBA. We are your neighbors, and we are accountable for our work.
• We Are Fully Insured: This is a non-negotiable. We carry a **$2,000,000 Umbrella Policy**, plus full General Liability and Workers’ Compensation. This protects you, your family, your home, and your HOA from *all* liability.
• We Are In-House Experts: Our installation teams are our own employees, not subcontractors. They are trained, uniformed professionals who are experts at installing these systems to the highest engineering standards.

The Right Shutter for Your Home: A Full Breakdown for New Bern & Havelock

The “best” shutter is the one that fits your home’s style, your budget, and your lifestyle. We offer the full range of products and will help you find the perfect fit.

H3: For the Historic Homes of New Bern: Rated Colonial Shutters

This is the “no-compromise” solution for historic preservation. You get the authentic, timeless charm *and* modern, impact-rated protection. Our Rated Colonial Shutters are side-hinged and swing shut to be secured with a storm bar.

• Authentic Styles: We offer both **Louvered** and **Board and Batten** styles to perfectly match your home’s historic architecture.
• Durable Materials: Made from heavy-duty, powder-coated aluminum, they will **never rot, warp, or split** like the wood shutters they replace.
• The Investment: A one-time investment in preservation and safety, our Rated Colonial Shutters start at $56 per square foot.
• The “Historic” Specialist: Our insured, expert teams are trained to anchor these systems to historic brick and wood facades *without* causing damage. We are happy to provide all engineering specs to your Historic Preservation Commission.

H3: The “Best Value” for Havelock Families: Rated Accordion Shutters

This is our #1 recommendation for the practical, budget-conscious homeowner. It’s the best “bang-for-your-buck” in all of storm protection, and the perfect “solo-spouse” solution.

• The Product: Our Bertha HV Accordion Shutter, an industry-leading “High-Velocity” system.
• The Cost: Starts at just $34 per square foot.
• The “Why”: It’s a permanent, “lock and leave” system. One person, with no tools and no ladders, can secure an *entire* home in 20-30 minutes. There is **zero storage** (it stacks neatly on the wall). It’s also a fantastic security shutter.

H3: The Most Affordable “Smart” Upgrade: Rated Storm Panels

This is the 21st-century replacement for plywood. It’s the most affordable *rated* system you can buy. Our Rated Storm Panels are lightweight, custom-fit panels that slide into a professionally-installed, permanent track.

• The Cost: **Rated Aluminum Panels** start at $18/sq ft. **Rated Clear Panels** (which let in light) start at $22/sq ft.
• The “Pro-Tip”: We recommend a “Hybrid” system. Use the affordable Aluminum panels on bedrooms, and the Clear panels (like ClearTek) on your main living areas to save money and still have light during a power outage.

H3: The “Lifestyle” Upgrades for Your New Home or Patio

• Rated Bahama Shutters ($56/sq ft): Perfect for adding “low country” style. They are a 2-in-1 system that provides daily shade (lowering A/C bills) and hurricane protection.
• StormTex Rated Hurricane Screens ($44/sq ft): The “invisible,” 3-in-1 solution (storm, sun, bug) for your patio, porch, or lanai. Protects your outdoor living space with the push of a button.

Quick Comparison: Which Shutter is Right for You?

New Bern & Havelock Shutter FAQs

Q: Will this lower my NC homeowner’s insurance?

A: Yes, in most cases. A **professionally-installed, rated** system is a major “wind mitigation” upgrade. Check with your specific agent and the NC Department of Insurance about their mitigation credits. The annual savings are substantial and can help the system pay for itself.

Q: My spouse is deployed at Cherry Point. What’s the *easiest* one-person solution?

A: The **Rated Accordion Shutter ($34/sq ft)** is the easiest *and* most affordable. It’s a simple, one-handed “slide-and-lock” motion. The **Electric Rolldown ($48/sq ft + $700)** is even easier (“push-button”), but it is a higher initial investment.

Q: How can I get a quick cost estimate for my home?

A: You have two free options! You can use our online cost calculator right now for a fast, ballpark estimate. Or, you can call us to schedule a free, on-site consultation. Our process is 100% no-pressure.

Your Next Step: Get Your Free, No-Obligation Quote

You live in a beautiful, historic, and vital part of North Carolina. You’ve seen what storms can do. Ditch the plywood gamble. Make the one-time “smart choice” investment that provides permanent, safe, and stress-free protection for your family and your home.

Call American Hurricane Shutters today. As your local, insured, and family-owned expert, we’ll come to your home in New Bern or Havelock for a 100% free consultation. We’ll show you the products and help you find the perfect fit for your home’s unique style and budget.