Clear & Aluminum Panel Hurricane Shutters for the Carolinas
The most affordable storm-rated protection available — certified for coastal NC and SC wind zones, reusable year after year, and installed with permanently mounted tracks so deployment requires no tools and no professional.
The Carolinas’ Most Affordable Rated Storm Protection
Hurricane panels — corrugated aluminum or clear polycarbonate sheets — are the most affordable certified storm protection available. They slot into permanently installed tracks around your windows and doors, providing the same ASTM and TAS impact rating as accordion or rolldown shutters at a fraction of the cost.
The tracks are installed once by our crew and stay permanently. Before a storm, you slide the panels into the tracks and secure them with wing nuts. We label every panel set so you know exactly which panel goes where. A typical home can be fully protected in 1-2 hours with two people — no tools required beyond a work glove for handling the aluminum edges.
Storm panels are the go-to choice for budget-conscious homeowners, seasonal residents protecting a large number of openings, and vacation property owners who want certified coverage at a price that makes full-home protection practical. They are not the most convenient system — but they are the most affordable rated option in our entire product line.
Aluminum vs. Clear
Which Panel Type Is Right for You?
Aluminum Storm PanelsMost Affordable
Lowest cost per square foot of any rated storm protection — from $18/sq ft installed
Extremely durable — aluminum does not degrade in coastal salt air
Galvanized option available for maximum corrosion resistance
Lighter per panel than polycarbonate at equivalent sizes
Opaque — blocks all natural light and views when installed
Clear Polycarbonate PanelsLet Light In
Transparent — lets natural light through even with panels fully deployed
Same ASTM and TAS storm ratings as aluminum panels
Popular for doors and windows where visibility matters during a storm
Interchangeable with aluminum in the same track system
Can yellow with prolonged UV exposure if stored outdoors long-term
The permanently installed tracks require very little maintenance. Rinse them with fresh water 1-2 times per year to remove salt and debris buildup. Lubricate the track channels annually with a dry silicone spray to ensure panels slide in smoothly before a storm. Panels themselves only need rinsing and stacking in a dry location off-season. See our Maintenance Guide.
Most Affordable Rated Protection
At $18/sq ft for aluminum and $22/sq ft for clear polycarbonate, storm panels are the lowest cost per square foot of any hurricane-rated system we install. For a home with 20 windows at an average of 15 sq ft each, that is a complete installation starting around $5,400 — versus $10,200 for accordion shutters covering the same openings.
Easy Homeowner Deployment
Our crew installs the tracks permanently and labels every panel. Your pre-storm job is to carry panels to the correct location and slide them into the tracks — no tools required, no professional needed. Panels weigh approximately 1 lb per square foot. We recommend storing them close to the home (a dedicated garage rack works well) so deployment is fast. Two people can protect a full home in 1-2 hours.
Reusable Year After Year
Storm panels are a one-time investment that lasts decades. Aluminum panels do not degrade in coastal salt air when stored properly. Clear polycarbonate panels maintain their integrity for 10+ years with indoor storage. Both types can be reused each hurricane season with no replacement parts. The permanently installed tracks also last the lifetime of your home with minimal care.
Design Pressure Rated
Every storm panel track installation we perform includes a site-specific design pressure analysis. We calculate the actual wind loads for your address and specify the correct fastener pattern and track type for each opening. Both aluminum and clear polycarbonate panels meet ASTM E1886/E1996 and TAS 201/202/203 certification requirements for coastal NC and SC wind-borne debris regions.
Insurance & Warranty
Storm panels qualify for wind mitigation credits in NC and SC when covering all openings. We provide all product approval documentation and complete the wind mitigation form for your insurer. Every installation is backed by our 7-year workmanship warranty on the tracks and anchorage — the longest in the region. We carry a $2M umbrella liability policy on every job.
Our Work
Storm Panels Installed Across the Carolinas
★★★★★
“Best value in hurricane protection. The team installed the tracks perfectly and showed us exactly how to deploy them. Total peace of mind at a fraction of the cost.”
Verified Google Review · Morehead City, NC
Common Questions
Hurricane Panel FAQ
Real answers from the team that installs storm panels across coastal NC and SC. More questions? Visit our full FAQ page or call us.
Aluminum storm panels start at $18 per square foot installed. Clear polycarbonate panels start at $22 per square foot installed. Both prices include the permanently mounted tracks, the panels themselves, and the wing nut hardware. A typical coastal home with 15-20 openings runs $4,500 to $9,000 for a complete aluminum panel installation — the lowest cost for rated storm protection of any system we offer. Use our cost calculator for a personalized estimate.
Both panel types carry identical ASTM and TAS hurricane certifications and use the same track system. The differences are visual and practical. Aluminum panels ($18/sq ft) are opaque — they block all light and views when installed, and are slightly lighter per panel. Clear polycarbonate panels ($22/sq ft) are transparent, letting natural light through even when fully deployed, and can be mixed with aluminum panels on the same home. Clear panels can yellow over many years if stored outdoors long-term — indoor storage extends their life significantly.
Our crew installs permanent aluminum tracks (top and bottom channels) around each window and door. The tracks are anchored into the structural framing — not the trim — using fasteners sized to our site-specific Design Pressure analysis for your address. We then fabricate the panels to the exact dimensions of each opening and label every panel so you know which goes where. Before a storm, you slide each panel into its tracks and secure with wing nuts. No tools needed. We walk you through the process before we leave and leave a labeled diagram.
Two people can deploy storm panels on a typical 3-bedroom coastal home in 1-2 hours, assuming the panels are stored close to the home and in good order. The main time factors are panel weight (approximately 1 lb/sq ft), distance from storage to each window, and the number of openings. We recommend storing panels in a garage rack within 30 feet of the home for the fastest possible deployment. When a storm is 24-48 hours out, having panels pre-staged by window is the best practice.
The best storage location is a garage or covered area close to the home — ideally within 30 feet. A wall-mounted horizontal rack keeps panels organized, labeled, and easy to grab quickly. We recommend storing aluminum panels indoors or in a covered area to prevent surface oxidation. Clear polycarbonate panels should always be stored indoors out of direct UV exposure to prevent yellowing. Never store panels flat on a concrete floor without spacers — moisture trapped underneath can accelerate corrosion on aluminum edges.
Yes — when properly installed, hurricane panels meet the same ASTM E1886/E1996 and TAS 201/202/203 impact and design pressure certification standards as accordion and rolldown shutters. The protection provided is equivalent. The difference is convenience, not protection level. Panels require you to physically carry and install each one before a storm. Accordion shutters deploy in seconds without leaving your home. If you are consistently present before storms and can do the physical work, panels give you the same rated protection for roughly half the cost.
Yes. Storm panels covering all openings qualify for wind mitigation credits in NC and SC. We provide all product approval documentation and complete the wind mitigation inspection form for your insurer. Many of our customers see premium reductions that recover a meaningful portion of the installation cost within a few renewal cycles — making the already-affordable panel system even more cost-effective over time.
Yes. Building permits are required for hurricane panel track installations in most coastal NC and SC counties. We manage all permit applications, engineering documentation, and inspections as part of our standard installation service at no additional charge. We also provide all product approval and NOA documentation required by your county building department.
Storm panels work on most standard window and door openings. They require flat wall space around each opening for the track channels, and enough clearance to slide panels in from one end. They are not ideal for arched windows, round openings, or casement windows that open outward into the panel zone. For openings where panels are impractical, we can mix systems — panels on standard windows and another shutter type on problem openings. Our estimator will identify any openings that need a different solution at your free estimate visit.
We provide a 7-year workmanship warranty on all track installations and anchorage — the longest in the region. The panels themselves carry manufacturer product warranties. We deliver a signed warranty document at completion and return for paid service at any point during the lifetime of the installation. We have been in business since 2007 and will still be here.
Free Estimate
Get Your Free Estimate
Protect your home with the Carolinas’ most trusted shutter installer.
Contact American Hurricane Shutters for a free, no-obligation in-home estimate. We respond within one business day and offer same-week scheduling throughout coastal NC and SC.
Matthew Burns is a storm protection expert and the President of American Hurricane Shutters. Continuing his family's legacy, he combines 6+ years of hands-on experience with an analytical background from Duke University (B.S., Economics). He specializes in breaking down complex building codes and the long-term financial benefits of hurricane protection, helping Carolina homeowners make safe, informed, and cost-effective decisions.
