See the Storm, Not the Dark: The Benefits of Clear Polycarbonate Shutters

For generations, preparing for a hurricane meant one thing: making your home as dark as a cave. Boarding up windows with plywood or deploying solid metal shutters plunged families into darkness, often for days on end during a power outage. But today, modern material science offers a brilliant alternative: clear hurricane shutters.

These advanced panels provide the same elite, lab-tested protection as their metal counterparts, but with one game-changing difference: they are virtually transparent. At American Hurricane Shutters, we offer a range of flat polycarbonate options, including our incredibly popular **Cleartek Rated Polycarbonate** storm panels. This guide explores why letting the light in is one of the smartest decisions you can make for storm safety and comfort.

What Are Clear Hurricane Shutters Made Of?

Clear hurricane panels are not made of glass or simple acrylic (Plexiglas). They are crafted from **polycarbonate**, an incredibly strong and impact-resistant thermoplastic polymer. You may know it by a common brand name, **Lexan**. This is the same material used to make bullet-resistant glass, aircraft canopies, and police riot shields.

The Science of Strength and Clarity

Polycarbonate’s molecular structure allows it to absorb tremendous amounts of energy without shattering. It can flex upon impact, dissipating the force from a flying object like a piece of lumber or roof tile. While it is incredibly strong—approximately 250 times more impact-resistant than glass—it is also lightweight and optically clear. This unique combination of properties makes it the perfect material for a protective barrier that doesn’t sacrifice visibility.

We offer both rated and non-rated polycarbonate. Our **Cleartek** line is fully rated to meet the strictest coastal building codes, while our **PalcSun** line is an excellent, non-rated option for applications like porch enclosures where impact resistance is less critical.

The Top 5 Advantages of Choosing Clear Panels

Opting for clear polycarbonate panels over opaque aluminum or plywood offers a range of significant benefits that enhance both safety and quality of life during a storm.

1. Maintains Natural Light: This is the number one reason homeowners choose clear panels. Keeping your home illuminated during the day has a profound psychological impact, reducing feelings of anxiety and claustrophobia. It also improves safety, allowing you to see obstacles and navigate your home without relying solely on flashlights or candles.
2. Situational Awareness: Clear panels allow you to see what is happening outside your home during a storm. You can monitor rising water levels, check for downed trees or power lines, and see when the conditions have improved, all from the safety of the indoors.
3. Incredible Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Polycarbonate is significantly lighter than glass and even lighter than a comparable aluminum panel of the same thickness. This makes our Cleartek and PalcSun panels easier to handle, carry, and install during your pre-storm preparations.
4. Code-Approved, Rated Protection: Don’t let the clarity fool you. Our Cleartek Rated Polycarbonate panels have undergone the same rigorous lab testing as our metal shutters. They are certified to withstand high-velocity impacts and extreme wind pressures, ensuring your home’s windows and doors are secure.
5. Versatility: These panels can be used to protect any opening on your home. We often install a mix of clear and aluminum panels for homeowners, using clear panels on key windows in living areas and aluminum panels on less critical windows to optimize their budget.

Cost and Value: Pricing for Clear Panels

Clear polycarbonate panels offer a fantastic value. They are priced competitively between our aluminum panels and our more convenient, permanently installed systems.

• Rated Clear “ClearTek” Panels: The investment is approximately $22 per square foot. This provides the highest level of certified protection and optical clarity.
• Rated/Non-Rated Flat Polycarbonate: For a wider range of applications, our general polycarbonate sheets, including Cleartek, start around $28 per square foot.

When you consider the immense benefit of maintaining a lighted, less stressful environment during a hurricane, many homeowners find the slight premium over aluminum panels to be a worthwhile investment in their family’s comfort and well-being. For a preliminary estimate, feel free to use our online Cost Calculator.

Your Local Experts in Advanced Storm Protection

Since 2007, American Hurricane Shutters has been a leader in bringing the best storm protection technology to the Carolinas. As a family-owned, fully insured business, we are committed to providing not just products, but complete safety solutions. Our deep experience means we can recommend the perfect combination of materials for your home, ensuring maximum protection and value. Our process is transparent, and our reputation is backed by thousands of satisfied customers and our membership in the Wilmington-Cape Fear HBA.

admin

See Full Bio