What are remote control hurricane shutters?

Remote control hurricane shutters are electric rolldown shutters or hurricane screens that operate via wall-mounted switch, handheld remote, or smart-home app. AHS installs electric rolldown at $48/sq ft + $700/opening and electric hurricane screens at $44/sq ft + $700/opening throughout coastal NC and SC.

How do remote control hurricane shutters work?

Electric hurricane shutters use a motor installed inside the housing box to raise and lower the shutter via a wall switch, handheld remote, or smart-home integration. The motor drives the shutter through its full range of travel; limit switches stop it at fully open and fully closed positions automatically.

Can I control hurricane shutters from my phone?

Yes. Electric hurricane shutters integrated with smart-home platforms (Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, Control4) can be controlled via phone app from anywhere. AHS discusses smart-home integration at the quote stage for all electric installations.

What happens to remote control hurricane shutters when the power goes out?

All AHS-installed electric hurricane shutters include a manual override hand crank as standard. In a power outage — common during storm approach in coastal NC and SC — each shutter can be manually operated via the crank. Power outage operation is essential in coastal installations.

Are remote control hurricane shutters worth the extra cost over manual systems?

For remote vacation home owners, yes. For full-time residents present during storms, the $700/opening motor charge is often not justified — manual rolldown shutters deploy in under 15 seconds per opening. The decision depends on ownership pattern and whether remote closure capability is needed.

The Ultimate Convenience: A Guide to Remote Control Hurricane Shutters

By Matthew Burns|American Hurricane Shutters|Updated March 2025|8 min read

Remote control hurricane shutters being operated via phone app on a coastal North Carolina vacation home

Remote Control GuideElectric hurricane shutters at $48/sq ft + $700/opening deploy via wall switch, handheld remote, or phone app. All AHS electric installations include manual override cranks for power-outage operation.

Remote control hurricane shutters represent the pinnacle of coastal storm protection convenience — the ability to close your entire coastal property from anywhere in the world, at the push of a button or tap of a phone screen. AHS installs electric rolldown shutters and hurricane screens throughout coastal NC and SC with smart-home integration for exactly this use case.

$48+$700Electric rolldown /opening

$44+$700Electric screens /opening

Phone appSmart-home closure anywhere

Manual overridePower outage backup — always

How Electric Hurricane Shutters Work

The motor sits inside the housing box above the opening, connected to the shutter’s winding mechanism. When the wall switch or remote signal is received, the motor drives the shutter down through its full travel range until the lower limit switch triggers, locking the shutter at its fully deployed position. Raising the shutter reverses the motor until the upper limit switch triggers. The entire process takes 30–60 seconds per opening, depending on opening height.

Smart-Home Integration: Close From Anywhere

AHS configures electric shutter systems for smart-home integration using compatible motor controllers that work with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and Control4. Homeowners can create automation routines — for example, a “Hurricane Mode” that closes all shutters simultaneously and activates automatically when triggered by voice command or scheduled event. For vacation home owners managing properties remotely, this integration allows closing the entire property via phone app on the drive to evacuation — or from 500 miles away after departure.

The Non-Negotiable: Manual Override on Every System

AHS installs manual override hand cranks on every electric shutter system as a non-negotiable standard. In coastal NC and SC, power outages during storm approach are common — often occurring 6–12 hours before the storm’s most severe conditions. An electric shutter system without a manual override is a system that may be inoperable precisely when you need it. Every AHS electric installation is tested for both electric and manual override operation before the job is closed. See our installation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Electric rolldown shutters ($48/sq ft + $700/opening) or screens ($44/sq ft + $700/opening) that operate via wall switch, remote, or smart-home app.

Motor in the housing box drives the shutter down/up via limit switches. 30–60 seconds per opening.

Yes — with smart-home integration (Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, Control4). AHS discusses integration at the quote stage.

All AHS electric systems include manual override hand cranks — essential for coastal NC/SC power outages during storm approach.

For remote vacation home owners: yes. For full-time residents present during storms: manual rolldown at $48/sq ft typically sufficient.

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Storm Shutter Remote Control — Options & How They Work

A storm shutter remote control system allows you to open and close hurricane shutters from inside your home, from a wall-mounted keypad, or from anywhere in the world via a smartphone app. AHS installs remote control hurricane shutters with three main control options:

Radio frequency (RF) remote: Standard handheld remote — typically range of 30–100 feet. Operates one or multiple shutters simultaneously. Most common for residential installations.
Wall-mounted keypad: Hardwired or wireless keypad at a central location (usually near the main entrance). Allows whole-home closure from a single control point.
Smart-home integration: Z-Wave, Zigbee, or proprietary WiFi modules allow remote control hurricane shutters to integrate with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or dedicated shutter apps. Close your shutters from your phone before a storm makes landfall — even if you are hundreds of miles away.

Electric Hurricane Shutters — Manual Override & Power Failure

Every electric hurricane shutter AHS installs includes a manual override mechanism — a critical safety feature. If power fails before or during a storm (extremely common during hurricane approaches), the manual override allows the shutter to be operated by hand without electrical power. Manual override typically takes the form of a hand crank or pull strap accessible from inside or outside the housing. AHS tests every manual override during installation and includes override operation in the homeowner walkthrough.

Remote Control Hurricane Shutters for Vacation Homes & Second Properties

Remote control hurricane shutters are the single most requested feature from Carolinas vacation homeowners and absentee property owners. The ability to close all shutters from a smartphone app means you never have to race back to the coast ahead of a storm — or return to a property with unprotected windows because you did not make it in time. AHS has installed remote-operated electric shutters at second homes throughout Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island, Myrtle Beach, Isle of Palms, and Kiawah Island specifically for this use case.

Author
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Matthew Burns

Vice President at American Hurricane Shutters, Inc.

Matthew Burns is a storm protection expert and the President of American Hurricane Shutters. Continuing his family's legacy, he combines 6+ years of hands-on experience with an analytical background from Duke University (B.S., Economics). He specializes in breaking down complex building codes and the long-term financial benefits of hurricane protection, helping Carolina homeowners make safe, informed, and cost-effective decisions.