This is what i done for my winter protection. This is my mexican fan palm. No heat and its been closed up like this for about a month and its doing really well.

After the first couple of winters in the ground and your plants get established, neither should need thermal protection in zone 8b. I think your enemy will be getting water into the crown of the palms, then having a hard freeze, not so much just cold temps. If they are really small you can cover them with a big plastic bucket or tub to keep the rain/sleet out of the crown/growing spear. I live in 8a and only worry about my youngest palms when there is freezing rain or rain followed by a deep freeze. Your fan palm may get its leaves frozen off at temps below 20, but should grow new ones back in no time....

Hmm i disagree. Both of these palms dislike Wet cold. 8b is fine for temps but combine ice and snow and both will have problems. Cover them during the storm.

Thanks for the advice! Guess I am going to put together something to cover them both today.
Do you think it will be ok if it's a little cramped? I am thinking if I do it carefully, I can fit a big trash cans over each one. They are both in ground but still fairly small.

trash cans didn't work..the palms are already too big, so here's hoping chicken wire and bubble wrap work!The fronds are a little cramped, but it should only be for a day as far as dealing with below freezing wet temps!

the frond will be fine I wrap my palms up really tight and all the fronds are together rolled up like a big cigar. as long as the moisture stays out they will be good