Posted on July 8, 2026

As hurricane season begins, many Louisiana homeowners start taking a closer look at their windows and wondering whether they are truly protected if a storm heads this way. For homeowners who want practical, reliable protection that can be installed when it is needed and stored when it is not, storm panels for windows in Louisiana can be a smart place to start.

For many homes, storm panels are one of the most practical ways to protect your home from wind-driven debris. They do take more hands-on effort than roll-down or accordion shutters to set up before a storm, but for the right homeowner, they can provide dependable storm protection at a more budget-friendly upfront cost.

At LAS Shutters + Windows, we manufacture and install storm protection panels and shutters built for Gulf South conditions. Here is what Louisiana homeowners should know before choosing storm panels for windows ahead of hurricane season.

Storm panels are removable panels that are installed over your windows, glass doors, and other openings when a hurricane or severe storm is approaching. Once secured, they create a protective barrier between your glass and flying debris.

Most homeowners do not leave storm panels up year-round. Instead, the system includes permanent tracks, anchors, headers, or other attachment points around each opening. The panels are stored when not in use, then brought out and fastened into place when storm protection is needed.

LAS offers storm panel systems designed for Gulf South homes, storefronts, and other buildings. Because each system is made for the specific openings on your property, panels can be used for standard windows, larger openings, glass doors, entryways, and uniquely-shaped windows.

Clear corrugated storm panels installed over porch windows on a Louisiana home

What types of storm panels are available?

Storm panels can vary by material, weight, visibility, and how they deploy. LAS offers options designed to meet different needs and budgets.

Clear Strength panels are made for homeowners who want protection without fully blocking natural light. These panels allow sunlight through while protecting glass from storm debris. They are also lighter than many traditional clear or metal storm panel options, which can make handling easier during storm prep.

Aluminum storm panels are a more traditional and economical option. LAS aluminum storm panels are made with heavy-gauge aluminum and designed with an internal integrated bracing rib for added strength and rigidity. They stack compactly and can be stored out of sight when storm season is quiet.

Both options are designed to provide real hurricane protection when properly installed and deployed.

How storm panels are installed, stored, and deployed

Storm panel systems are designed to be installed in advance and deployed when needed.

During installation, the LAS team measures your openings and installs the anchoring system needed for the panels. Depending on your home, this may include headers, sills, tracks, anchors, or other secure attachment points. The goal is to create a system that fits each opening and allows the panels to be fastened securely.

When the panels are not in use, they are taken down and stored. Aluminum panels stack easily, which helps reduce storage space. Clear panels may require more careful handling to help protect visibility and surface quality. Either way, the panels should be kept together, labeled, and stored with their hardware.

When a storm approaches, the homeowner retrieves the panels, matches them to the correct openings, and secures them into the installed tracks or anchors.

This is why planning matters. Storm panels are a dependable option, but they are not a “set it and forget it” system. The more organized you are before hurricane season, the easier the system is to use when it counts.

Storm panels are a strong fit for homeowners who want legitimate storm protection without the higher upfront investment of permanent shutters or impact-rated windows. They may make sense if:

Budget is your main priority
You have only a few key openings to protect
You are physically comfortable installing panels before a storm
You have storage space for the panels and hardware
You do not need day-to-day shade, privacy, or security benefits
You want a practical option for a secondary home, rental property, or seasonal property

Storm panels are generally more hands-on than permanent shutter systems. Before a storm, you need to pull the panels from storage, match each panel to the correct opening, gather hardware, and secure the panels properly. That takes time, physical effort, and sometimes more than one person.

Permanent shutters, such as roll-down shutters, accordion shutters, Bahama shutters, and Colonial shutters, are usually easier to deploy because they stay mounted on the home.

Impact windows are a different type of solution. Instead of covering the opening before a storm, impact-rated windows are built with protective glass designed to help resist windborne debris. They can be a strong option for homeowners who want storm protection built into the window itself, along with energy efficiency and everyday comfort benefits.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how these storm protection options compare:

If You Want	Consider	Why
Lower upfront cost	Storm panels	Practical storm-only protection that stores away when not in use
Faster storm prep	Roll-down or accordion shutters	Mounted year-round and quicker to close before severe weather
Style plus protection	Bahama or Colonial shutters	Adds shade, privacy, and curb appeal while supporting storm readiness
Built-in protection	Impact windows	Storm protection is part of the window system itself

Storm panels vs. plywood

Some homeowners still think of plywood as their backup plan. While plywood can be better than leaving glass completely exposed in an emergency, it is not the same as a purpose-built storm protection system.

Plywood usually requires measuring, cutting, and reinstalling each time it is needed. It can also leave holes or damage around your windows or doors if it is not installed carefully. In a last-minute situation, plywood can also be hard to find because demand spikes quickly before a storm.

Storm panels are designed for repeat use. The system is measured, planned, installed, and ready before the season gets active. That gives homeowners a more organized and reliable option than trying to build temporary protection under pressure.

Before choosing storm panels, take time to think through how the system will actually work when a storm is approaching.

1. How many openings need protection?

Start with every window, glass door, and vulnerable opening. Some homeowners only think about front-facing windows, but wind-driven debris can come from any direction during a storm. A storm protection estimate should account for the full home and then help you prioritize if you need to do the project in phases.

2. Can you physically install the panels?

Storm panels require lifting, carrying, positioning, and fastening. Larger panels can be bulky. Second-story openings may require additional planning. If you are not comfortable using ladders or handling panels under pressure, a permanent shutter option may be a better fit.

3. Where will the panels be stored?

Panels need a dedicated storage location that stays dry, organized, and easily accessible. A garage or shed can work, but the panels should be labeled and stacked in a way that makes sense when you need to move quickly.

4. Are the panels clearly labeled?

Every panel should correspond to a specific opening. Labeling makes deployment much easier and helps avoid confusion when a storm is approaching. This is especially important for homes with many windows or similar-sized openings.

5. Do you have the right hardware ready?

Before hurricane season, you’ll need to check that all fasteners, wing nuts, bolts, and other components are stored with the panels and ready to use.

6. How long will deployment take?

Do a realistic time check. If it would take several hours and multiple people to install every panel, make sure your household has a plan. Storm prep is always easier when you know the process before you are under a watch or warning.

Why Louisiana homes need storm protection

No matter which option makes the most sense for your home, the goal is the same: protecting the glass openings that are most vulnerable when severe weather moves through. In Louisiana, that kind of planning matters because homes deal with a combination of conditions that not every storm protection product is built for.

It’s not just wind. It’s wind, rain, humidity, heat, salt air in coastal areas, and storm seasons that can change quickly. A product that looks fine on paper may not be the right fit if it is not designed for Gulf South weather or installed with the right anchoring approach.

Storm protection is only as good as the full system. The panels, tracks, fasteners, anchors, and installation all must work together. If the fit is wrong, if the anchoring is weak, or if the hardware is missing when you need it, the system becomes harder to trust.

Louisiana homeowners also have to think about timing. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but waiting until a storm is already in the Gulf is not a good plan. Once demand spikes, installation schedules tighten, product lead times matter more, and homeowners are left trying to make big decisions under pressure.

Storm panels are most effective when they are planned ahead of time, custom-fit to your home, and organized in your storage area so they can be deployed quickly when needed.

Schedule a storm protection estimate

If you want to protect your home before hurricane season is in full swing, LAS can help you compare your options and plan a system that fits your home.

LAS builds storm protection for Gulf South homes. Our products are designed, manufactured, installed, and serviced by one local team. That gives you a clearer process from the first estimate through long-term service and support.

During your estimate, we will look at your home’s openings and talk through how you want to prepare for storms. From there, we can help you choose a practical option that fits your home, budget, and comfort level.

Schedule a free storm protection estimate today!

Are storm panels a good option for Louisiana homes?

Yes, storm panels can be a good option for Louisiana homes when they are properly measured, installed, stored, and deployed. They are especially useful for homeowners who want economical hurricane protection and are comfortable with the hands-on setup before a storm.

Are storm panels cheaper than hurricane shutters?

Storm panels typically have a lower upfront cost than many permanent shutter systems. However, they require more time, effort, and storage. Permanent shutters usually cost more upfront but are easier and faster to deploy. Both are good options: it just comes down to your needs.

Do storm panels stay on the house all year?

No, most storm panels are removed and stored when they are not in use. The attachment system stays installed on the home, but the panels are usually only put up before a storm.

How long does it take to put up storm panels?

For many homes, putting up storm panels can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the number of openings, the size and weight of the panels, whether you have help, and how organized the system is. A smaller home with labeled panels and easy-to-reach windows may be on the shorter end. A larger home, second-story openings, or heavier panels can take longer, especially if one person is doing the work alone.

Can storm panels be used on doors and large openings?

Yes, storm panels can be custom-made for windows, glass doors, entryways, larger openings, and unique window shapes. During an estimate, LAS will measure each opening and explain which storm protection options are the best fit.

Are clear storm panels worth it?

Clear storm panels can be worth considering if you want storm protection without fully blocking natural light. They can be especially helpful for homeowners who do not want the house to feel completely closed off while panels are deployed.

Do storm panels qualify for insurance discounts in Louisiana?

They may help support wind mitigation documentation, but eligibility depends on your insurer, your policy, the type of product, and required documentation. Contact your insurance company or agent before installation to confirm what they require.

Should I choose storm panels or impact windows?

Storm panels are removable protection installed before a storm. Impact windows provide protection as part of the window system itself. Storm panels usually cost less upfront, while impact windows offer more convenience, energy efficiency, and everyday performance benefits. LAS can help you compare both options for your home.

Richard Maia, Manufacturing Engineer
Chief Executive Officer

Richard Maia is the Chief Executive Officer of LAS, one of the Gulf South's leading window and shutter manufacturers. A structural engineering graduate of Louisiana State University and a lifelong South Louisiana native, Richard grew up around LAS and spent summers working the floor before eventually leading the company. His engineering background shapes everything about how LAS operates: products are designed from first principles, not convention, and engineered specifically for the heat, humidity, and storm demands of the regional climate.

Under his leadership, LAS has pursued deep vertical integration by investing in in-house manufacturing capabilities to maintain tighter control over quality, sourcing, and timelines. A graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Richard brings both technical rigor and genuine local roots to a company he has built around one straightforward belief: that a lifetime warranty only means something if the company is still around to honor it.

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On behalf of Lighthouse Louisiana (formerly The Lighthouse for the Blind), please convey my thanks once again to your coworkers for supporting our summer camp for children who are blind. It is a rare thing to see a corporate family like yours, where people get together and give from their own hard-earned paychecks to local groups that are doing good work in the community. As donors, sometimes it’s hard to know what donations to organizations we care about are actually being used for. We consider LAS an important investor in our work, and we cannot thank you enough for helping us serve our clients.

We just finished getting new windows from LAS and I can’t be any happier. From start to finish, this job was done professionally. The salesman, Garrett, came to the house on time and explained the windows and the process and answered any questions that we had at the time. He indicated the person who would do the measurements would call and set up an appointment within two weeks and the the windows would be built and installed in about 5 weeks. Well, the job – from the initial estimate to complete install – was three weeks. The installed that completed the job did an excellent job of install, caulking and cleanup. We can’t give them a higher rating. The most amazing thing so far is the look and how much it has cut down on outside noise. I highly recommend LAS and since they are local, from repairs to employing people, we keep it right here at home. We are very satisfied customers.