For anyone buying or renovating property in South Eastern North Carolina, the question isn't if a storm will hit, but when. Whether you are looking at a beachfront condo in Wrightsville Beach or an investment property in Surf City, protecting your "openings" (windows and doors) is the single most critical factor in your insurance premium and your peace of mind.

The debate usually boils down to two options: install permanent impact-resistant windows or rely on deployable hurricane shutters. While shutters are cheaper upfront, the long-term math in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Brunswick counties often favors the glass. Here is the insider breakdown.

The "Absentee Owner" Logistical Nightmare

If you live in Wilmington full-time, shutters are a manageable hassle. You can go outside and close the accordions or bolt on the corrugated panels when the forecast turns dark.

However, if you are an investor with a vacation rental in Oak Island or Topsail, shutters are a logistical vulnerability.

The Deployment Gap: Property management companies often charge significant fees (sometimes $100+ per visit) to deploy shutters. More importantly, when a storm approaches, everyone is calling them. If the storm speeds up, your property might be last on the list.

The "Cave" Effect: If a storm threatens but doesn't make landfall, leaving shutters up ruins the guest experience. Tenants paying for a view do not want to spend their vacation in a dark, boarded-up home. Impact windows solve this instantly—there is no deployment, and the view remains clear.

Insurance and the "Fortified" Credit

In our coastal market, the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) and private insurers offer "Wind Mitigation Credits."

The Reality: Both impact windows and properly rated shutters qualify for opening protection discounts.

The Edge: However, impact windows are "verified" 24/7/365. With shutters, if a claim arises and the adjuster finds you failed to deploy them in time, you could face coverage disputes. Impact windows eliminate that human error variable.

The Salt Air Factor

This is the detail most out-of-town buyers miss. Brunswick and Onslow counties have highly corrosive salt air.

Shutter Maintenance: Aluminum accordion shutters rely on tracks and wheels. If these are not cleaned and lubricated annually, the salt will seize the mechanism. We have seen many sellers try to close their shutters for a hurricane only to find them frozen shut by three years of corrosion.

Window Durability: High-quality vinyl impact windows are engineered specifically to resist salt corrosion, requiring far less mechanical maintenance over their lifespan.

Your Next Step

Choosing between shutters and impact glass is a balance of upfront budget versus long-term logistics. You need a partner who can run the numbers on insurance savings and rental viability with you.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we are experts in listening and communicating people's wants into homes that work for them. We help you look past the price tag to see the operational reality of the home. Let’s connect to discuss which protection strategy protects your investment best.