Can You See Through Hurricane Screens?

Last Updated: March 2026
Yes, you can see through hurricane screens. Unlike solid aluminum or steel shutters that completely block light and visibility when deployed, hurricane screens are made from a woven mesh fabric that allows natural light to filter through and maintains a partial view of the outdoors.   

This is one of the most significant practical advantages hurricane screens have over traditional shutters. During a storm, being sealed inside a home with zero visibility can increase anxiety and eliminate your ability to monitor conditions outside. Hurricane screens keep your home from feeling like a cave while still providing code-compliant storm protection.

Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions from our readers about the look and visibility of hurricane screens.

Do Hurricane Screens Let Natural Light In While Providing Storm Protection?

Yes. Hurricane screens are constructed from densely woven fabric, such as monofilament polypropylene or PVC-coated high-strength polyester, that is specifically engineered to be semi-transparent. The weave is tight enough to block flying debris and reduce wind velocity, but porous enough to allow natural light into your home.

Storm Smart’s Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens, for example, use a monofilament fabric that significantly reduces wind velocity while still filtering daylight through the mesh. This means your interior stays illuminated during daylight hours, even when the screens are fully deployed, reducing your reliance on battery-powered lighting during a power outage.

This matters more than you might think. In a NOAA Hurricane Research Division FAQ on shutters, the agency recommends that homeowners who board up with solid panels bore a 2-inch hole at eye level in each shutter for visibility, because “during the storm, you’re going to want to see what is going on outside.” That workaround is unnecessary with hurricane screens, which provide filtered visibility by design. During multi-day storm events or extended power outages, maintaining natural light reduces reliance on battery-powered lighting and helps occupants monitor conditions safely.

Do Hurricane Screens Obstruct Views or Create a Confined Feeling Indoors?

Hurricane screens substantially reduce the “bunker effect” that comes with solid shutters. While the mesh does create a slight visual filter (similar to looking through a standard window screen), you can still see the outdoors, monitor storm conditions, and maintain a connection to your surroundings.

According to a University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center study on hurricane damage to residential structures, once a window or door is breached, the resulting internal pressure can lead to catastrophic structural failure. Maintaining the ability to see outside during a storm is not just about comfort. It allows you to monitor for new hazards, check for structural damage, and stay aware of conditions that could require evacuation.

Accordion Shutters, Roll Down Shutters, and Storm Panels all create a complete blackout condition once deployed. For homeowners who find this claustrophobic or disorienting, hurricane screens offer a meaningful improvement in the storm experience.

How Does Visibility Compare Across Different Hurricane Protection Types?

Each type of hurricane protection offers a different level of visibility and light transmission when deployed. Here is how they compare:

Protection Type	Visibility When Deployed	Natural Light	Notes
Hurricane Screens (Fabric)	Partial (filtered view)	Yes (filtered)	Semi-transparent mesh allows light and some visibility
Impact Windows	Full (clear glass)	Yes (full)	Best visibility; thicker glass may slightly reduce light
Clear Polycarbonate Panels	Good (some distortion)	Yes (good)	Transparent but corrugated surface can distort views
Accordion Shutters	None (fully blocks)	None	Complete blackout when closed
Roll Down Shutters	None (fully blocks)	None	Complete blackout when closed
Storm Panels	None (fully blocks)	None	Complete blackout; corrugated aluminum or steel
Plywood	None (fully blocks)	None	Complete blackout; temporary only
Bahama Shutters	Minimal (louvered slats)	Minimal	Some light through louvers when partially open

Comparison data compiled from: U.S. DOE Building America Solution Center, Florida Division of Emergency Management Hurricane Retrofit Guide

Among code-compliant, permanently installed protection systems, hurricane screens offer the best combination of storm protection and visibility. Impact Windows are the only option with fully unobstructed views, though they require a higher upfront investment than Hurricane Screens.

What Are the Most Transparent Storm Protection Options Besides Hurricane Screens?

If maximum visibility is your top priority, here are your options ranked from most to least transparent:

1. Impact Windows provide the clearest view because they replace your existing windows entirely with laminated, impact-resistant glass. You get full visibility, full light, and 24/7 protection with no deployment needed. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Solution Center, the thicker glass and protective layers in Impact Windows can slightly reduce light transmission compared to standard windows. Impact Windows also represent the highest upfront investment of the available protection options.

2. Clear polycarbonate storm panels are the next most transparent option. These panels allow good light transmission and some visibility, though the corrugated surface creates visual distortion. They are removable, requiring storage and manual installation before each storm.

3. Hurricane screens provide filtered visibility and light. The mesh weave means you can see shapes, movement, and general conditions outside, though fine detail is reduced compared to glass or polycarbonate. For many homeowners, this level of visibility is more than sufficient and far preferable to total darkness.

4. All other options (Accordion Shutters, Roll Down Shutters, Storm Panels, Colonial Shutters, and plywood) create a complete blackout when deployed.

Do Hurricane Screens Have Benefits Beyond Storm Protection?

Yes. Because hurricane screens are semi-transparent and permanently installed, many homeowners use them year-round for benefits that extend well beyond hurricane season:

• UV protection: Storm Smart’s Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens reflect UV radiation, protecting interior furniture, flooring, and artwork from sun fading. This is particularly valuable in Florida where UV exposure is intense year-round.
• Solar heat reduction: The fabric mesh reduces solar heat gain through windows, helping keep your home cooler and reducing air conditioning costs. Storm Smart also offers dedicated solar screens specifically engineered for heat and glare reduction.
• Privacy: When deployed, screens provide a degree of privacy from the outside while still allowing occupants to see out.
• Aesthetic integration: Hurricane screens blend more seamlessly into a home’s architecture than bulky metal shutters. The DOE Building America Solution Center notes that fabric panels feature a low-profile design that integrates with most building styles. Many HOAs that restrict the permanent appearance of metal shutters are more receptive to fabric screen systems.
• Patio and lanai protection: Screens can cover large openings like lanais, screened porches, and balconies that would be difficult or impractical to protect with rigid shutters.

With over 28 million feet of Storm Catcher® fabric installed across Florida, Storm Smart has been manufacturing and installing Hurricane Screens since 1996. Every Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screen system comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is backed by nearly 30 years of proven performance in Florida’s most demanding storm conditions.

Hurricane Screens from Storm Smart

Storm Smart’s Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens are available in multiple configurations to match your home’s needs:

• Roll Down Hurricane Screens: Permanently installed above the opening and deployed vertically. Available with manual, remote, or smart hub app control.
• Easy Hurricane Screen: Slides along a low-profile track and fastens with straps. No tools or fasteners required.
• Slide Hurricane Screens: Glide along a track and secure with fasteners for quick deployment.
• Strap and Buckle Hurricane Screens: The original Storm Catcher® design using a grommet-and-strap system for secure attachment.

All Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens are manufactured in-house at Storm Smart’s Florida facility and installed by their trained, in-house team. To see the screens in person, visit a Storm Smart showroom in Fort Myers or Naples.

Related Questions About Hurricane Screens

• Do Hurricane Screens Really Work? – Testing standards, protection levels, and proven effectiveness.
• Are Hurricane Screens Expensive? – Cost ranges, insurance savings, and grant programs.
• What Type of Hurricane Screen Provides the Most Security? – Comparing screen types by protection level and materials.
• Do Hurricane Screens Keep Water Out? – What screens do and don’t protect against.
• How Long Do Hurricane Screens Last? – Lifespan, durability, and maintenance.