Protective polycarbonate (PC) sheet panels for Hurricane Katrina victims

07-May-10

After five years, many Gulf Coast residents are still struggling to get back on their feet following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. To help, SABIC Innovative Plastics – working with Habitat for Humanity and the Hancock Housing Resource Center – is donating a thousand protective panels made from Lexan* Clear Storm Panel polycarbonate (PC) sheet to 120 low-income families in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi (USA). The reusable Lexan sheet panels offer significantly better impact strength than plywood or other protective materials; provide crystal clear transparency; and will provide greatly improved hurricane protection for the future. Lexan Clear Storm Panels protect windows and doors with up to 4 times the impact resistance of a half-inch of plywood, and yet are up to 50% lighter than traditionally used metal panels. Their clarity lets in natural light, avoiding the claustrophobic effect of wood and metal coverings. Clear Lexan sheet also allows for panels to be installed days ahead of an approaching storm without plunging the home into darkness, as is the case with plywood. These Storm Panels can be left in place for the entire hurricane season. They outperform metal in that they will not rust or corrode, and retain their shape after impact. A single Lexan panel can completely cover a window or door, which eliminates the need for multiple panels and greatly simplifies installation.