Insights & Updates

Your Resource for Outdoor Living & Storm Protection

From product guides to maintenance tips

Discover valuable insights on pool enclosures, pergolas, hurricane shutters, and everything you need to know about protecting and enhancing your Florida home.

You Need Protection, Not a Second Mortgage

Let's be honest: hurricane protection is expensive. You've gotten quotes for roll-down shutters that cost more than a new car. Accordion systems that would strain your home improvement budget for the year. And you're sitting there thinking, "I just need to protect my windows during a storm—why does it have to cost this much?"

Here's the reality most contractors won't tell you: expensive doesn't always mean better. A $15,000 motorized system and a $3,000 panel system both do the same job when the wind is blowing 140 mph—they keep hurricane-force winds and flying debris from entering your home.

The difference? Convenience. Aesthetics. Automation. Those things matter to some homeowners. But if you're managing a tight budget, protecting a rental property, or simply value practicality over premium features, there's a smarter option that's been protecting Florida homes for 50+ years.

The Brannan Blog

Bay County Hurricane Protection Rules by Year Built

Florida's hurricane window protection rules changed in 2002 and 2007. Learn which rules applied to your Bay County home and how to check yours. ...more

Hurricane Protection

October 19, 2026•8 min read

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Why Brannan Aluminum for Hurricane Panels

We've installed panel systems on 400+ properties across Bay County and Walton County—more than any other contractor in the region. That experience matters because proper panel installation requires precision: track alignment must be exact, bolt spacing must meet code, and overlap must be correct or panels fail under pressure.

When Hurricane Michael hit with 160 mph winds, properly installed panel systems held. We saw them protect homes while poorly installed systems (by storm chasers and DIY attempts) failed catastrophically. The difference between success and failure isn't the panel—it's the installation. That's why we're the BBB Torch Award winner, and why Panhandle families trust us with their most budget-conscious protection choice.

Getting Hurricane Panels Is Simple

Schedule Your Free Consultation

We measure every window and door opening, assess your home's mounting surfaces, and recommend the best panel type for your budget and needs. We discuss storage options and installation logistics—whether you'll install panels yourself or hire us to do it when storms threaten.

We Provide Panels and Hardware

You'll receive a detailed proposal listing every panel, every bolt, every track component with transparent pricing. We custom-cut panels to fit your specific openings. All hardware is included—wing nuts, bolts, washers, tracks. We handle permitting and provide installation instructions if you're doing it yourself.

Installation Options

We install permanently mounted tracks now. When a storm threatens, you (or we) insert panels and bolt them down. Tracks stay in place year-round—barely visible.

The Brannan Promise:

✓ Every panel custom-cut to your specifications

✓ All hardware included—no hunting for parts at Home Depot

✓ Detailed installation instructions provided

✓ Track systems installed to exact building code requirements

✓ We're available for installation service when storms threaten (schedule permitting)

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Hurricane Panel Options & Features

Aluminum Panels (.050 Thickness)

Corrugated aluminum for structural strength and rigidity

Pre-drilled for mounting bolt installation

Overlap design creates continuous barrier when multiple panels used

Lightweight: 2-4 lbs per panel depending on size (one person can handle easily)

Opaque: Blocks all light—home interior will be dark when panels installed

Most economical option: typically 40% less than polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (Clear) Panels

Impact-resistant transparent plastic—same material used in bulletproof glass

Allows 80%+ light transmission—natural light during storms

Heavier than aluminum: 6-10 lbs per panel

Ideal for occupants sheltering in place who want visibility

More expensive than aluminum but still 60% less than permanent shutters

UV-resistant coating prevents yellowing over time

Permanent Track Installation

Aluminum or steel tracks mounted above and below openings

Panels slide into tracks and bolt through pre-drilled holes

Tracks remain in place year-round (low-profile, barely noticeable)

Fastest deployment: 5-10 minutes per opening

Track installation completed once; panels reused for years

Direct-Mount Installation

Panels bolt directly to mounting surfaces using anchors

No permanent tracks required

More time-consuming during deployment

Lower upfront cost but more installation labor during storms

Hardware Specifications

Wing nuts and bolts for tool-free installation

Stainless steel hardware resists corrosion

Bolt spacing engineered to code requirements (typically 12-18" on center)

Color-coded hardware sets for different opening sizes

Complete hardware kits included—nothing to source separately

Hardware Details

Decorative hinges in oil-rubbed bronze, black, or brushed nickel

Shutter dogs (holdback hardware) for authentic period detail

Locking pintles for impact-rated installations

Stainless steel fasteners for coastal durability

Storage & Handling

Panels store flat—typically 18" per stack of 10 panels

Recommended storage: garage, utility room, or under elevated homes

Label each panel with corresponding window location for quick deployment

Protective edge strips prevent scratches during storage

Code Compliance

Florida Building Code approved for high-velocity hurricane zones

Miami-Dade NOA certified options available

Engineered to withstand 150+ mph wind loads when properly installed

Building permits included in professional installation service

Insurance documentation provided

Installation Time Estimates

With permanent tracks: 5-10 minutes per opening (DIY-friendly)

Direct-mount: 15-25 minutes per opening (requires drilling each time)

Full home: 2-4 hours for most residential properties with track systems

Finish warranty against fading/corrosion

Full warranty details provided with proposal

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty on panels (typically 10-15 years)

Hardware replacement available as needed

Brannan installation warranty on track systems

Panels reusable for 20+ years with proper storage

Affordable Protection That Actually Works

Let's talk about what really matters: when a Category 4 hurricane is 48 hours out, does your protection work? Will it keep wind and water out of your home? Will it prevent $50,000 in interior damage from broken windows?

The answer is yes—if your panels are properly engineered and correctly installed.

Hurricane panels have protected Florida homes for decades. They're not fancy. They're not convenient. But they're effective, proven, and affordable. When Michael roared through Bay County with 160 mph winds, properly installed panel systems protected homes that couldn't have afforded premium shutters.

That's the reality Brannan Aluminum understands: not every family can spend $15,000 on hurricane protection. But every family deserves protection that works. That's why we install more panel systems than any other contractor in the region—because we believe budget-conscious shouldn't mean under-protected.

You've worked hard for your home. Protect it with a solution that's proven, affordable, and backed by 33 years of installation experience.