73 www.HugoMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com | www.CarolinaRealEstatePodcast.com | www.TopTenHomesSold.com One of the joys of strolling along the beautiful residential streets of downtown Charleston is observing the fine details in the unique architecture of the homes. With centuriesold houses painted in a variety of shades and colors, the landscape is photo-worthy everywhere you look. But these homes were built to be more than just aesthetically appealing. They were built to last. It’s not unusual to discover that even some of the glass windowpanes are centuries old. How has that been possible in a city that has seen over a hundred hurricanes in its lifetime? One thing that has helped is that most homes are protected by shutters that can be closed during a hurricane. Having the ability to safeguard windows during a storm not only protects the glass but also prevents the wind, rain, hail and flying debris from coming inside and damaging the home’s contents and interior structure. And that’s not even considering the problems that can be caused when the pressure inside the home builds up due to shattered panes. Throughout the mid-20th century, shutters were added to modern homes being built in the suburbs around Charleston. They were put there simply to add to the house’s curb appeal. But that’s really all that they can do – just look pretty. Those shutters are nailed in place and cannot provide any protection to the windows. However, today’s builders and homeowners can choose to take their cue from the historic city homes and opt instead for attractive and useful enhancements that will help protect against the weather threats we experience during this time of year. The often-pricey investment in shutters may pay off Shutter to Think BY MARY COY Protect your home from storms with hurricane shutters Accordion shutters hurricane
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