See-Through Hurricane Shutters: How They Work and When to Choose Them

Published October 3, 2026 · STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers

Ask anyone who has spent a hurricane behind plywood and they will describe the same thing: a dark, stuffy house, no idea what is happening outside, and hours of work before and after the storm. See-through hurricane shutters were developed to change that experience. They protect windows and doors from wind-borne debris while letting daylight in and allowing people inside to see out.

This guide explains how see-through shutters work, the main types on the market, what to look for in testing and approvals, and how to decide whether a see-thru system is right for your building.

Why Visibility Matters During a Storm

Protecting windows is one of the most important things a building owner can do before a hurricane. When a window or door breaks, wind rushes into the building and pushes up on the roof from inside while the storm pulls on it from outside. Rain follows, soaking walls, floors and contents. Keeping the building envelope closed is the goal of every hurricane shutter.

Solid shutters achieve that goal, but they create new problems. Power often fails during a hurricane, so a house closed in with plywood or solid panels becomes completely dark. Occupants cannot see rising water, fallen trees or emergency vehicles. In facilities such as emergency operations centers, hospitals and shelters, staff need daylight and a view of conditions outside to do their work. And because solid shutters make a building look boarded up, owners usually take them down after every storm, which means putting them back up again before the next one.

See-through shutters keep the protective function but remove much of that downside. Natural light reaches the room, occupants can see outside, and because the shutter does not dominate the facade, many owners leave it in place all season or all year.

Types of See-Through Hurricane Shutters

There are two broad families of see-through hurricane protection.

Clear polycarbonate panels

Clear or translucent panels made from impact-resistant polycarbonate are installed over openings much like metal storm panels. They let in light, and in some products the view is reasonably clear. They are typically removable panels that are stored between storms, so they still require installation before each event, and the plastic can scratch, haze or yellow with long exposure to sunlight.

Perforated metal barriers

Perforated metal systems use a steel or stainless steel sheet punched with a precise pattern of holes, set in a strong frame. The solid metal stops debris, while the holes let light, air and views through. Because the result looks like a heavy-duty screen, perforated barriers are often installed permanently or on hinges, so they are always in place. Exeter Architectural Products pioneered this approach, first for security screens and then, after Hurricane Andrew, for the STORM SHIELD hurricane barrier.

How Perforated Metal Shutters Work

The performance of a perforated barrier depends on three things working together: the metal, the hole pattern and the frame.

The metal has to be strong enough to absorb the impact of a large missile, such as a piece of lumber thrown by the wind, without being pierced or pulling loose. STORM SHIELD uses 14 gauge mill-galvannealed steel or 300 series stainless steel for this reason.

The hole pattern determines how see-through the barrier is. The share of the sheet that is open is called the open area. More open area means more light and a clearer view, but less metal to resist impact. The InvisiPerf™ pattern used by STORM SHIELD has a 51% open area, chosen after visual perception research to keep views clear while preserving strength. Looking out from a room, the eye focuses past the fine pattern, similar to looking through an insect screen.

The frame transfers the force of impact and wind pressure from the panel into the building. Welded extruded aluminum frames with stainless steel pins and hardware keep the panel anchored. You can learn more on our InvisiPerf see-thru technology page.

A useful side effect is shade. A perforated panel outside the glass intercepts much of the sun before it reaches the window. Independent testing of STORM SHIELD measured a shading coefficient of .51, meaning solar heat gain was reduced by almost half. See the sun control study for the data.

What to Check Before You Buy

Any hurricane shutter, see-through or not, should be judged first on whether it is tested and approved for the building and location. Before choosing a product, check:

• Impact testing. Look for testing to recognized standards such as ASTM E1886 and E1996, or the Florida testing protocols used in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. The missile level matters; essential facilities usually need the enhanced Level E. Our article on ASTM E1996 missile levels explains the levels.
• Product approval. In Florida, products are commonly approved through a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance or a Florida Product Approval. Read Miami-Dade NOA explained for details.
• Design pressure for your opening sizes. Approval documents list the wind pressures a product can resist at different sizes. Required pressures depend on your location and the opening's position on the building.
• Separation from the glass. Under impact, a shutter flexes. Approvals specify the minimum distance between the shutter and the glass so the barrier does not hit the window.
• Emergency escape. If the opening is a bedroom escape window or an exit, the shutter needs a release that works from inside without tools. See hurricane shutters and emergency egress.
• Materials and finish. In coastal air, stainless steel hardware, aluminum framing and marine-grade finishes make a real difference in service life.

Where See-Through Shutters Fit Best

See-through barriers are especially valuable where people need to stay inside and keep working during a storm, or where owners want protection that does not change the look of the building. Common applications include:

• Emergency operations centers, fire and police stations, and shelters
• Hospitals, clinics and retirement communities
• Schools, colleges and residence halls
• Condominiums, resorts and homes where views are part of the value
• Historic buildings, where review boards want to preserve appearance

They are also a good fit for owners who do not want to carry panels up ladders before every storm. Permanent and hinged styles such as Fixed Mount, Bahama Mount and Side Hinge are already in place when a storm is forecast.

Conclusion

See-through hurricane shutters let a building stay protected without being shut away from daylight and views. Perforated metal systems add year-round security and shade, which is why many owners leave them up permanently. Whatever product you consider, start with the testing and approvals that apply to your building, then choose the style that matches how each opening is used.