Quick answer: clear polycarbonate storm panels on pre-installed studs are the easiest do-it-yourself protection for a Houston house; fabric shutters are lighter still and roll up for storage. Buy and fit them before a storm is in the Gulf, because both take hours to put up the first time.
Hurricanes reach Houston as wind and as water. Harvey was mostly water, with up to 54 inches of rain in Harris County [1]. Wind and flying debris are what a shutter is for. In Harris County, the Texas Department of Insurance’s designated catastrophe area covers parts of La Porte, Morgan’s Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shoreacres east of State Highway 146, where buildings must meet a 120 mph design wind speed and get a TDI certificate to qualify for windstorm insurance [2]. Elsewhere in the county, shutters are your choice, not a rule.
At a glance
- TDI catastrophe area in Harris County
- Parts of La Porte, Morgan's Point, Pasadena, Seabrook, Shoreacres east of SH 146 [2]
- Design wind speed there
- 120 mph, 3-second gust [2]
- Harvey's top Harris County rain total
- 54.00 inches [1]
- Storm surge
- Leading cause of hurricane deaths, per NOAA [3]
- What to look for
- A published impact approval, such as a Florida product approval or Miami-Dade NOA number
How we chose
- Tested for impact. Each pick has a published product approval (Florida Building Code number or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance) or a maker statement that it passed the large-missile impact test. We name which one.
- Do-it-yourself install with the maker’s instructions.
- Recall check: we searched the CPSC recall database on November 2, 2026 and found no recalls for these brands [8].
Our picks
Best for: Seeing out during the storm
Palram StormLite Multiwall Polycarbonate Hurricane Shutter
Clear 16 mm triple-wall polycarbonate lets in about 60 percent of daylight, so the house isn't dark for days, and Palram says it's five times lighter than plywood.
- 16 mm triple-wall polycarbonate, 4 x 8 ft panels [4]
- Light transmission 60% [4]
- Florida Building Code FL 8947; Miami-Dade NOA 17-0830-09 [4]
- 10-year warranty [4]
Safety check: Florida and Miami-Dade approvals per Palram; Palram doesn't list a Texas Department of Insurance evaluation. No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Installation hardware isn't listed on the product page; follow Palram's installation guide. In TDI's catastrophe area, ask your inspector whether these approvals are accepted.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Brick and block walls
Storm-Busters Clearview 16 mm Polycarbonate Storm Panel
Cut-to-fit clear panels that go up on Panelmate studs with wing nuts; the instructions call for 4 inches of overlap on every side of the window.
- 16 mm Clearview polycarbonate [5][6]
- Florida product evaluation report for FL 15877, covering high-velocity and other zones [5]
- About 80% lighter than 5/8-inch plywood, per Storm-Busters [6]
- Drill 3 inches into concrete or block for Panelmates [6]
Safety check: Florida product evaluation by a licensed engineer (FL 15877). No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: The panel instructions are written for concrete and block walls; frame houses need a different fastener plan. Storm-Busters says buyers must confirm the install meets local codes.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Large openings and patio doors
Hurricane Fabric AstroGuard
Resin-coated ballistic nylon that's much lighter than panels, so one person can handle wide openings. DIY kits include the clips, anchors and drill bits.
- Resin-coated ballistic nylon with a welded hem [7]
- Rated for the Large Missile Impact Test, per the maker [7]
- Lets light in but you can't see through it [7]
Safety check: Large missile impact rating per Hurricane Fabric; the FAQ doesn't list approval numbers, so check its product approvals page. No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: The house is dim with it up. Ask for the specific approval document for your opening size before buying.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Keeping a view out
Hurricane Fabric AstroFlex
Polypropylene fabric you can see through from inside, like a dark screen, with the same large-missile rating claim as AstroGuard.
- Polypropylene fabric with reinforced seamed edge [7]
- Rated for the Large Missile Impact Test, per the maker [7]
- Not for Florida's High Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward) [7]
Safety check: Large missile impact rating per Hurricane Fabric. No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: The maker restricts it from the strictest wind zone in the country, which tells you it's rated lower than AstroGuard.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Buying guide
- Measure every opening now. Panels need overlap on each side, and anchors must go in before the storm, not during the watch [6].
- Check your address. If you’re east of SH 146 in one of the five cities, talk to TDI or a windstorm inspector before you buy [2].
- Ask for the approval document, not just the number, and check that it covers your opening size and wall type.
- Store panels flat and dry and label each one by window [6].
Sources
- National Weather Service Houston/Galveston: Hurricane Harvey rainfall
- Texas Department of Insurance: Harris County windstorm designated catastrophe area
- NOAA National Hurricane Center: Storm Surge Overview
- Palram: StormLite Multiwall Polycarbonate Hurricane Shutters
- Florida Building Code Online: Product Evaluation Report 2108, Storm Busters 16MM Clearview (FL 15877)
- Storm-Busters: Clearview installation instructions
- Hurricane Fabric: Frequently Asked Questions
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls database
Common questions
Do I need a windstorm inspection in Harris County?
Only in the Texas Department of Insurance's designated catastrophe area: parts of La Porte, Morgan's Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shoreacres east of State Highway 146. There, new construction and repairs must meet TDI's windstorm rules to qualify for Texas Windstorm Insurance Association coverage. Most of Houston is outside that area.
Does window film or tape protect against a hurricane?
We didn't include tape or window film on this page. Look for a shutter or panel with a published product approval for impact protection, and check that it covers your opening size.
Can I use plywood?
If you use plywood, cut, label and fit it before the season, not during a watch. The panels on this page are much lighter than plywood according to their makers, reusable, and come with installation instructions tied to their approvals.