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. Daylight enters the home when the panels are up, and the house doesn't feel like a sealed box.

For many homeowners, that difference is 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 the home is sealed with opaque aluminum, every interior space goes dark. Flashlights and lanterns come out and stay out.

Clear polycarbonate panels let daylight in through every covered window. You can move through the home normally, see the sky, watch conditions outside, and hold on to a sense of normalcy during a stressful stretch.

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 qualify for wind mitigation credit under the OIR-B1-1802 inspection form, same as 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 to $30 per square foot versus $7 to $20. For a whole-house installation, that difference is real but manageable. Many homeowners run clear panels on their main living areas (living room, master bedroom, kitchen) and aluminum on secondary rooms and storage spaces where light matters less. The contractor in the Crestview Shutters network can price a mixed installation during the estimate.

Installation and Storage

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

The panels are slightly heavier than aluminum and have to be handled carefully to avoid surface scratches. The contractor provides handling guidance and rack recommendations sized to the panel set.

Upgrade Path

If aluminum storm panel hardware is already installed on the home, an upgrade to clear panels may not require replacing the track and mounting systems. That's worth raising during the estimate — it can significantly reduce the upgrade cost. The contractor will confirm compatibility on the existing hardware before quoting.

Get a Free Estimate

Call (850) 801-5890 or fill out the contact form. Crestview Shutters will connect you with a contractor who assesses the openings and provides pricing on clear panels, aluminum panels, or a mixed installation based on your priorities.