Even though it has been awhile since I wrote about fiberglass storm panels I would like to clarify that the polycarbonate storm panels are the same thing...it is just hard for people to remember that word "polycarbonate" so that is why we call them fiberglass instead. Hurricane shutters that are permanently mounted to slide over to the side are the best because you don't have to think about putting them up before a hurricane but they are also more expensive. The fiber glass kind have tracks that you slide the panels into that you mount on the outside of your windows permanently. Then you store the polycarbonate panels away until you expect a storm and put them up well enough ahead of the storm. Fiberglass and polycarbonate both store equally well in your garage but it is best to set them up on end and not lean other things against them so they don't lose their shape or get bent. I live about 15 miles inland from the ocean so don't feel I need permanently mounted hurricane shutters but I do feel that I need some type of protection on my windows from time to time. We wait until a hurricane is for sure going to come our way before we start getting the storm panels out. Storm panels will not protect you from tornadoes but will offer protection from high winds throwing something thru your windows which can happen in the case of a tornado.
