Storm Panel Systems in Crestview, FL

Storm panels are Florida's original hurricane protection, and they still make complete sense for the right homeowner. They deliver code-compliant, impact-rated protection at the lowest installed cost of any shutter system. When budget is the primary concern, panels are the answer.

How They Work

Tracks, bolts, or clips are permanently installed around each window and door opening. The panels themselves store flat — in the garage, on a wall rack, or in a storage unit. When a storm threatens, you retrieve the panels for each opening, slide or bolt them into the mounting hardware, and the home is protected. After the storm, the panels come down, get rinsed, and go back into storage.

Material Options

Corrugated aluminum is the standard: lightweight, opaque, proven across decades of Florida storm seasons, rated for 150 to 170+ mph, and the most affordable option available.

Clear polycarbonate (Lexan) panels are transparent, allowing natural light through during and after installation. More expensive than aluminum but far less disorienting during extended outages. Rated for 140 to 165+ mph.

Both materials meet Florida Building Code large and small missile impact standards. Both qualify for wind mitigation insurance discounts under the OIR-B1-1802 form.

The Trade-Off

Storm panels require effort before and after every storm. Panels have to come out of storage, mount on every opening, and come back down when the storm passes. For a full house, that's an hour or two of physical work — and it has to happen before conditions deteriorate.

For homeowners who are physically capable, have the storage space, and are usually in Crestview during storm season, panels are practical and cost-effective. For elderly homeowners, frequently absent owners, or anyone who wants zero-effort storm prep, accordion or roll-down shutters make more sense.

Whole-House Panel Sets

Contractors in the Crestview Shutters network build complete, labeled panel sets measured to every opening on the home. Each panel is numbered to its specific window or door. No guessing on installation day, no cutting to fit. Complete whole-home panel sets typically run $2,000 to $8,000 installed, depending on the number and size of openings.

Hardware Options

Header/sill track hardware lets panels slide into channels above and below the window — fastest installation, no bolts required. Bolt-on (wing nut) hardware hangs panels on pre-set studs and secures them with wing nuts — slightly slower but very secure. Clip systems use snap-on hardware for quick deployment, popular for secondary structures and detached garages. The contractor recommends the right hardware for each opening.

Storage

Panels don't take up much space when stored flat. A garage wall rack is the most common solution — panels hang vertically on labeled pegs, organized by opening. Most full-house sets fit on an 8-foot section of garage wall.

Get a Free Estimate

Call (850) 801-5890 or fill out the contact form. Crestview Shutters will connect you with a contractor who measures every opening, specs the right panel system, and provides a clear whole-home price.