Life along the Carolina coastline is not all sun, sand and surf. One aspect of living near the water that isn’t all that much fun is the ever present danger of potentially damaging storms looming in the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
William Antonucci, chief executive officer of Seacoast Development of the Carolinas and Discount Shutters Direct, knows firsthand about what hurricanes can bring.
“We originally began our remodeling business a year before Hugo hit. After that, whenever weather was potentially dangerous, some of our clients who lived out-of-state would call us to protect their homes. The products at that time were cumbersome and impractical, so we did some research and sought other alternatives for quality hurricane protection,” he explained.
Antonucci, a certified inspector and contractor for the SC Safe Home program, offers a wide variety of products, ranging from panel systems to shutters and motorized roll curtains. Seacoast can install impact windows and doors, garage doors, roofing that withstands 175 mph winds, gable end reinforcements and tie-downs that protect the most vulnerable parts of a home.
Antonucci and his team of trained installers serve Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina; both areas include homes that, because of their proximity to the ocean, qualify for insurance help from the South Carolina wind pool and grants from the SC Safe Home program.
“We are a remodeling company that took on hurricane protection because at the time it was necessary,” Antonucci said.
Seacoast and Discount Shutters Direct sells only shutters approved for use in in Dade County, Florida, where hurricane watches and warnings are a way of life.
“We stay on top by educating ourselves with the most up-to-date courses, and we attend large home shows in Florida and Texas, which are regularly hit by hurricanes. The highest measured wind speed was taken in Dade County, so I feel their standards are the highest for the industry, and, therefore, that is what we offer to our customers,” Antonucci explained.
“If a category 5 hurricane hits your street, the shutters we install will still be on your home, wherever you may find it. In a lesser storm, you’ll have the peace of mind of returning from evacuation to your home and proceeding with your life. The house down the street will have suffered severe interior damage because of a blown window,” he added.
He said his company generally completes projects in one to three weeks.
“It’s important for people to research who they are buying their products from,” Antonucci said. “The product you purchase is only as good as the installation.” Owning the oldest hurricane-protection company in the area is a source of pride for Antonucci. “We stay on top of all the changes in building codes, and we work with both residential and commercial clients. Whether it is preparing for the storm or in the unfortunate situation of cleanup after the storm, we are here to help.”
To learn more about Seacoast Development of the Carolinas and Discount Shutters Direct and how its team of professionals can help, call (843) 238-WIND (9463) or email [email protected].
