Who installs flat polycarbonate hurricane shutters in coastal NC and SC?
American Hurricane Shutters (AHS Carolinas) installs flat polycarbonate hurricane shutters throughout coastal NC and SC. Clear Lexan hurricane panels that provide rated impact protection while allowing natural light through. The only OSHA-30 certified hurricane shutter company in NC and SC. Call (910) 256-1288.
How much do flat polycarbonate hurricane shutters cost?
Flat polycarbonate hurricane shutters start at approximately $18-22 per square foot installed, including labor, wall-mounted track hardware, and permit coordination. Similar pricing to aluminum storm panels but with the advantage of clear visibility. Free in-home estimate. Call (910) 256-1288.
Best for Fixed & Non-Operable Windows
Flat Polycarbonate Hurricane Shutters — Clear Hurricane Shutters & Lexan Hurricane Panels for Non-Operable Windows
Custom-cut optically clear Lexan polycarbonate hurricane panels provide glass-like transparency with hurricane protection — permanently installed, virtually maintenance-free, and nearly invisible from the street. The same material used in bullet-resistant glass, aircraft canopies, and police riot shields.
The Premium Solution for Fixed, Non-Operable Windows
Fixed windows can typically only be covered by rolling shutters — unless you want to use a ladder to operate them. We offer two novel solutions to this issue. Monolithic polycarbonate (brand names include Lexan, PalcSun, Makrolon) uses a .220″ sheet of polycarbonate as a non-rated protection option. We also offer the only rated flat polycarbonate system: ClearTek by Ultratek Worldwide, which uses a patented bracketing system to achieve impact and pressure resistance that meets Florida Hurricane Codes as well as North and South Carolina building codes.
Both options are optically clear — allowing 100% of natural light into your home and eliminating the “cave-like” darkness of metal shutters. This is the same material used in bullet-resistant glass, aircraft canopies, and police riot shields. From the street, properly installed flat polycarbonate is essentially invisible — the preferred choice for high-value oceanfront properties like Figure Eight Island where aesthetics are paramount.
We attach panels using 18-8 stainless steel lag bolts — hardware that never rusts in our coastal environment. Each bolt is installed with a specialized spacer to create a small gap between the polycarbonate and your home, allowing essential airflow behind the panel. This prevents moisture from being trapped and reduces heat transfer to your windows.
Use only over non-operable windows since it covers the entire window and cannot be opened by the homeowner. For any window or door that opens, accordion shutters or rolldown shutters are a better fit. We often install a mix of clear polycarbonate and aluminum panels for homeowners — using clear panels on key living-area windows and aluminum on less critical windows to optimize the budget.
Two Systems Available
Monolithic Polycarbonate vs. ClearTek Rated System
We offer both non-rated and hurricane-rated flat polycarbonate solutions. Your estimator will recommend the right one for each opening.
Monolithic Polycarbonate (Lexan)From $28/sq ft
Solid flat sheet of high-impact polycarbonate (.220″ thick) — brand names include Lexan, PalcSun, Makrolon
Optically clear — allows 100% natural light with glass-like transparency
UV protected — guaranteed not to yellow. Permanently mounted with no moving parts
Not hurricane-rated — provides meaningful protection but not ASTM/TAS impact certified
Does not qualify for insurance wind mitigation credits
ClearTek by Ultratek WorldwideHurricane Rated
The only rated flat polycarbonate system — patented bracketing achieves impact and pressure resistance
Meets Florida HVHZ building codes and NC/SC coastal building code requirements
Qualifies for insurance wind mitigation credits — full product approval documentation provided
Same optical clarity as monolithic — clear, UV-protected, virtually invisible
Higher price point than monolithic — call for a project-specific quote
Product Ratings
Why Flat Polycarbonate Earns Its Place
Near-Zero Maintenance
Unlike any other type of hurricane protection, since flat polycarbonate is affixed permanently to your windows, there are no moving parts or labor to deploy. Clean 1-2 times per year with diluted Palmolive and a soft cloth. Never pressure wash — high-pressure water can micro-fracture the surface. See our full Maintenance Guide.
250x Impact Resistance
Lexan polycarbonate is approximately 250 times more impact-resistant than glass at the same thickness. This is the same material used in bullet-resistant glass, aircraft canopies, and police riot shields. It resists penetration from wind-borne debris without shattering. When properly anchored with 18-8 stainless steel lag bolts, it transfers wind energy into the building’s structural system.
UV Protected — Won’t Yellow
Our polycarbonate sheets are manufactured with UV inhibitors that prevent the material from becoming brittle or yellowing due to sun exposure. Guaranteed not to yellow. With proper cleaning, panels maintain their clarity for 10+ years in coastal environments, keeping your home looking great year after year.
Design Pressure Rated
Every flat polycarbonate installation includes a site-specific design pressure analysis. We calculate the actual wind loads at your address and specify the correct panel thickness and anchor pattern. ClearTek rated systems meet the design pressure requirements for coastal NC and SC wind zones using a patented bracketing system engineered specifically for hurricane forces.
Energy & Light Benefits
Flat polycarbonate is optically clear — allowing 100% natural light into your home, eliminating the “dark” feeling of traditional metal shutters. Polycarbonate also has better insulating properties than standard window glass, and the specialized spacer installation creates an air gap that reduces heat transfer to your windows.
Insurance & Warranty
ClearTek rated installations qualify for wind mitigation credits in NC and SC. We provide all product approval documentation and complete the wind mitigation form. Non-rated monolithic installations provide meaningful protection but do not qualify for insurance discounts. Every installation is backed by our 7-year workmanship warranty and $2M umbrella liability policy.
Our Work
Flat Polycarbonate Installed Across the Carolinas
Custom-fabricated Lexan and ClearTek polycarbonate panels on fixed windows across coastal NC and SC.
Pine Knoll Shores
North Topsail
Myrtle Beach
Hampstead
Residential
Modern Design
Tower House
Wrightsville Beach
Installation Details
No Deployment. No Storage. No Moving Parts.
One of the biggest advantages of flat polycarbonate is the complete absence of maintenance and deployment labor. Unlike any other type of hurricane protection, since flat polycarbonate is affixed permanently to your windows, there are no moving parts, no tracks to lubricate, no motors to service, and no hardware to adjust or replace.
We use 18-8 stainless steel lag bolts to ensure the hardware never rusts in our coastal environment. Each bolt is installed with a specialized spacer to allow essential airflow behind the panel — preventing moisture from being trapped and reducing heat transfer to your windows. Every panel is custom-cut to your exact opening dimensions and anchored into structural framing — not trim.
Our sheets are UV protected and guaranteed not to yellow. This prevents the material from becoming brittle or losing clarity due to sun exposure, keeping your home looking great for 10+ years in a coastal environment.
★★★★★
“The polycarbonate panels on our fixed windows are completely invisible until you look closely. Perfect solution for windows we couldn’t put shutters on before.”
Verified Google Review · Pawleys Island, SC
Common Questions
Flat Polycarbonate Hurricane Shutter FAQ
Real answers from the team that installs polycarbonate panels across coastal NC and SC. More questions? Visit our full FAQ page or call us.
Monolithic flat polycarbonate panels start at $28 per square foot installed (non-rated). The ClearTek rated system by Ultratek Worldwide is priced on a project basis — call for a quote. For comparison, clear polycarbonate storm panels (which use tracks and require deployment) start at $22/sq ft. We often install a mix of clear and aluminum panels for homeowners — using clear panels on key living-area windows and aluminum on less critical windows to optimize the budget. Use our cost calculator for a personalized estimate.
Monolithic polycarbonate is a solid, flat sheet of high-impact plastic (.220″ thick). Brand names include Lexan, PalcSun, and Makrolon. It is extremely tough but is typically used for security and light debris protection and is not hurricane-rated unless specified as a rated system. ClearTek by Ultratek Worldwide is the only rated flat polycarbonate system — it uses a patented bracketing system to achieve impact and pressure resistance that meets Florida HVHZ building codes and NC/SC coastal requirements. Only ClearTek qualifies for insurance wind mitigation credits.
No. “Lexan” is a brand name for polycarbonate resin — not a shutter style. While many homeowners use flat polycarbonate sheets for protection, they are not a “style” of shutter in the way that accordions, rolldowns, or Bahamas are. For true storm protection that meets building codes and qualifies for insurance credits, we recommend the hurricane-rated ClearTek system by Ultratek Worldwide, or one of our mechanical shutter systems for operable windows.
We use high-quality 18-8 stainless steel lag bolts for maximum corrosion resistance in coastal environments. Each bolt is installed with a specialized spacer to create a small gap between the polycarbonate and your home. This gap allows air to circulate, preventing moisture from being trapped and reducing heat transfer to your windows. Bolts are driven into structural framing — not trim — to ensure proper load transfer during a storm.
Absolutely. Flat monolithic polycarbonate is optically clear — it provides 100% natural light transmission and a glass-like view. Some homeowners find the panels nearly unnoticeable from inside. From the street, properly installed flat polycarbonate is essentially invisible, which is why it is the preferred choice for high-value oceanfront properties where aesthetics matter. There is no tint, no color, and no visible hardware pattern.
Our polycarbonate sheets are manufactured with UV inhibitors and are guaranteed not to yellow. This prevents the material from becoming brittle or losing clarity due to sun exposure. With proper cleaning (soft cloth and mild soap — never pressure wash), panels maintain their clarity for 10+ years in coastal environments.
No — flat polycarbonate panels are permanently mounted and cover the entire window. Use only over non-operable windows since the panel cannot be removed for daily use. For any window or door that opens, you need a shutter system that can be deployed and retracted — accordion shutters, rolldown shutters, or clear storm panels are all better options.
Clean 1-2 times per year using a soft cloth and diluted non-abrasive cleaner such as Palmolive dish soap. Rinse with fresh water, especially after salt exposure. Never use a pressure washer — high-pressure water can micro-fracture the polycarbonate surface. Do not use abrasive pads, solvents, ammonia, or chlorine bleach. If you notice surface scratching, a polycarbonate scratch remover can restore clarity. See our full Maintenance Guide.
Impact windows replace your existing window entirely with a laminated glass unit ($60-120/sq ft). Flat polycarbonate covers your existing window from the outside ($28/sq ft). For fixed windows in high-aesthetic areas where you want to preserve the original window from inside, flat polycarbonate is a practical and cost-effective alternative at a fraction of the price.
Installation itself is typically half a day to one day depending on the number of fixed windows. Lead time from signed contract to installation is typically 3 to 6 weeks. No permits are required for non-rated flat polycarbonate installations on fixed windows in most coastal NC and SC counties.
We provide a 7-year workmanship warranty on every installation — the longest in the region. The polycarbonate material carries its own manufacturer product warranty against defects. 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.
Flat polycarbonate panels are significantly lighter than aluminum storm panels of equivalent size — making them easier to handle solo and ideal for homeowners without a second person available for deployment. The same E-1886 and E-1996 impact certification as aluminum at a higher per-unit price but lower handling effort.
Commercial Use
Clear Panels for Storefronts
Clear polycarbonate panels are the preferred solution for retail storefronts and commercial properties where boarding up merchandise displays is not an option. Maintains visibility of the storefront interior and signage through the storm while providing full rated protection. Popular on King Street (Charleston), Front Street (Wilmington), and Ocean Boulevard (Myrtle Beach).
Lexan Storm Panels in NC & SC — Where We Install
AHS installs Lexan storm panels and clear polycarbonate hurricane shutters across all of coastal NC and SC: Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Leland, Hampstead, Jacksonville, Topsail Island, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and all surrounding communities. Free in-home estimates with no obligation.
Matthew Burns is Vice President of American Hurricane Shutters, the Carolinas' rated storm protection specialists founded in 2007 by Michael Burns. OSHA-30 certified and specializing in Miami-Dade and TAS-approved hurricane shutter systems, Matthew has personally overseen the installation of storm protection on thousands of homes from Emerald Isle to Myrtle Beach. His expertise covers accordion shutters, rolldown shutters, Bahama shutters, colonial shutters, hurricane panels, and fabric hurricane screens. Based in Wilmington, NC.
