Panel Shutters

The Ultimate Guide to Hurricane Panels

Aluminum and Clear Hurricane Panels

Are you considering aluminum or clear hurricane panels for your home? This comprehensive guide covers the benefits, installation process, and maintenance tips for these popular storm protection products.

If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, protecting your home from the damaging effects of these storms is essential. One popular option for storm protection are hurricane panels. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of these panels, the installation process, and tips for maintaining them to ensure they provide reliable protection for years to come.

Quick Overview

While the most difficult shutter to install, hurricane panels are a popular choice for homeowners because they are affordable, easy to install, and can be reused year after year.

.050 BERTHA™ Aluminum

Clear Impact Resistant Polycarbonate

Long lasting, can be put up season after season

Easy to store, stack 7 to an inch

Most affordable shutter option

Installation Process

Installing hurricane panels is a relatively simple, albeit laborious process that can be done by homeowners with basic tools and DIY skills. After our technicians install the tracks and/or bolts your responsibility before a storm is simply to deploy them. We label the panels, so your responsibility is moving the panels to the correct location on your home and securing them using the provided wing nuts. We suggest finding a close spot to store the panels, as the stack adds up quickly in weight as they weigh approximately 1lb/sqft.

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Comparisons with Other Shutters

Accordions

Panels are more discreet than accordions

Accordions are far easier to use

Panels are suitable for most openings

Panels do not need maintenance apart from aesthetics

Accordions should be used 1x a month

Panels do not provide security except when deployed for a storm

Can be easily closed from inside

Rolldowns

Manual rolldowns are 2-3x the price

Automatic rolldowns are even more and need the ability to be electrified

Needs routine maintenance and use to perform to expectations

Panels do not provide security except when deployed for a stormList item

Electric rolldowns are the easiest shutter to use and can be operated by cellphone

Can be easily closed from inside

Hurricane Screens

Less expensive than rolldowns, but still far more than penal

Generally cover a large area, so expensive

Screens are the best options to enclose patios and other large areas

Screens are not suggested to be placed directly in front of openings due to deflection

Can be operated by cellphone

Can be easily closed from inside

Bahamas and Colonials

Most expensive shutters, but add the most value

Our most attractive shutter

Bahamas/Colonials are vastly easier to deploy

Bahamas cannot be placed over doors

We do not suggest placing Bahamas on decks

Bahamas can easily be closed from inside

Flat Polycarbonate (Lexan)

Fixed permanently to the window, so only used on non-operable windows

“Lexan” provides permanent protection

Clear as glass, so you can see out the window (vs. aluminum panels)

Rated option (ClearTek) provides similar strength, but deployed at all times

No Maintenance

Cleaning the tracks for aesthetic value is suggested, but panels only need to be used during a storm.

Affordable

Our cheapest option, panels are paid more so in labor before a storm than in money vs. other shutters.

Security During Storms

When deployed, they can provide additional security, since potential intruders would need to cut through the material or take down all the wing nuts by hand.

Energy Savings

If HOA allows, deployment of shutters when not around (or during storms) will cut down on solar gain/loss.

Pressure Resistant

We perform design pressure calculations to ensure your shutters will not blow in/out during a storm- which can cause the home to implode.

Impact Resistant

Shutters meet ASTM 1886E/1996E/e330 and/or TAS 201, 202, 203 to ensure superior protection from flying debris.

Request a Quote Today

Reach Us

Locations :

Morehead City, NC
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Myrtle Beach, SC

Email :

matt.burns@ahscarolinas.com

Phone :

+1-910-256-1288
+1-910-256-8656
+1 843-868-1390