Clear Polycarbonate Storm Panels in Crestview, FL

Clear storm panels do everything aluminum panels do — rated protection, code compliance, insurance credit — with one important difference: you can see through them. Natural light enters your home when the panels are installed. You can see outside. The house doesn't feel like a sealed box.

For many homeowners, that's worth the upgrade.

Why Clear Panels Matter

Extended power outages are common in the Panhandle after major storms. Days without grid power, sometimes longer. If your home is sealed with opaque aluminum panels, every interior space is dark. You're running flashlights and lanterns around the clock.

Clear polycarbonate panels let daylight in through every covered window. You can move through your home normally. You can see the sky, watch weather conditions outside, and maintain a sense of normalcy during a stressful situation.

For families with young children, elderly residents, or anyone who finds closed dark spaces difficult — clear panels are meaningfully better during an extended storm event.

Protection Ratings

Clear polycarbonate (Lexan) storm panels are rated for sustained winds of 140 to 165+ mph. They meet Florida Building Code large and small missile impact standards. Miami-Dade NOA certification is available on qualifying products.

They provide real hurricane protection — not just a visibility upgrade over aluminum. The difference in wind rating between clear and aluminum panels is modest. The difference in livability during and after a storm is substantial.

Cost Comparison

Clear polycarbonate panels cost more than corrugated aluminum — typically $12–$30 per square foot versus $7–$20. For a whole-house installation, that difference is real but manageable. Many homeowners use clear panels on their main living areas (living room, master bedroom, kitchen) and aluminum panels on secondary rooms and storage spaces where light matters less.

Your contractor can give you pricing on mixed installations.

Installation and Storage

Clear panels mount on the same track and bolt systems as aluminum panels. Installation and removal is identical. Storage is the same — panels stacked flat in a labeled garage rack.

The panels are slightly heavier than aluminum and must be handled carefully to avoid surface scratches. Your contractor will provide handling guidance.

Upgrade Path

If you already have aluminum storm panel hardware installed on your home, you may be able to upgrade to clear panels without replacing the track and mounting systems. Bring this up during your estimate — it can significantly reduce the upgrade cost.

Get a Free Estimate

Call (850) 801-5890 or fill out our contact form. We'll assess your openings and give you pricing on clear panels, aluminum panels, or a mixed installation based on your priorities.