PGT WinGuard Replacement windows

PGT WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors provide your home with effortless, full-time protection against flying debris and hurricane-force winds.

Now there's no need for inconvenient, unsightly panel, accordion or roll down shutters plywood or other hurricane protection devices. Even when you're away, WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors guard your home against hurricanes and intruders with no effort, while reducing noise and providing UV protection. WinGuard with vinyl frames and standard insulated glass also provides enhanced energy efficiency.

Hurricane Andrew, which caused such massive damage to Florida in 1992, taught researchers that violent winds alone are not the major cause of window failure.

The real cause is flying objects. As a result, codes for hurricane protection now focus on impact protection for windows and doors, not just wind velocity.

PGT WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors combine heavy-duty aluminum frames with impact-resistant glass. A special silicone glazing process keeps the glass from breaking away from the frame. Although the glass may crack on impact, the interlayer keeps the glass intact, preventing destructive wind from entering your home.

Impact-resistant glass is comprised of two glass panes bonded with a special interlayer of clear polyvinylbutyral. Similar to auto windshields, but nine times stronger, it provides amazing protection against flying debris.

As a home building material supplier, PGT is sensitive to the risks posed to those of us living in Florida. The loss and disruption to our homes and businesses affects us all.

The most recent hurricanes of 2005 created situations where windows and doors were taxed beyond their capabilities. It is important we all understand why.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated south Florida. The aftermath of Andrew was the first time that engineers and architects assessed hurricane damage to determine the causes of window and door failures and to understand what could be done to lessen catastrophic damage in future hurricanes. It became evident that window and door failures resulting from both wind and impacting debris were a leading cause of major structural failures. Building codes were then developed to address both anchorage requirements (to keep the windows and doors from being blown out of their openings) and wind-borne debris. Now that windows and doors are staying in the openings the issue has changed from catastrophic failures to water infiltration.

PGT products are tested and comply with current industry standards and code requirements. These standards and requirements equate to conditions, events and environmental circumstances that the product will typically encounter during its life. Simply put, windows and doors were not designed to be leak proof. Rather, windows and doors were designed to repel and disperse water under defined performance conditions, as required by building codes and industry standards. As with other building components, the forces imposed on windows and doors by extraordinary events such as hurricanes can exceed their ability to keep out water. 

As with Hurricane Andrew, the industry is reacting as quickly as possible to resolve newly found problems. The Florida Building Commission has just established the Hurricane Advisory Committee to address these new water intrusion issues.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) recommends that if an owner sustains damages as a result of extreme weather conditions, the owner should file a claim with his or her insurance carrier to ensure proper handling. 

The swift and innovative responses to these events have resulted in far less catastrophic property damage and personal loss. This is a testament to all in the industry who work to improve the quality of building and public safety.

When flying objects pierce windows and doors, hurricane-force winds enter the home. Internal pressure causes the roof to blow off, resulting in massive wind and water damage.

WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors with aluminum frames pass stringent Large and Small Missile Impact Tests. In the Large Missile Impact Test, a window is subjected to two impacts by a nine-pound 2 x 4 beam traveling at a speed of 50 feet per second. Then this "impacted" window is subjected to hurricane-force winds. The polyvinylbutyral interlayer keeps the window intact and sealed against wind even if glass is cracked by a flying object. All WinGuard Windows and Doors with aluminum frames have Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, qualifying them for use in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors with vinyl frames pass ASTM E1886/E1996 (Missile Class D) for large missile impact resistance. WinGuard with vinyl frames meets International Building Code requirements and all Florida Building Code requirements outside High Velocity Hurricane Zones (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties).

Noise Reduction

The construction of WinGuard Windows and Doors helps reduce outside sound and traffic noise, enhancing the serenity of your home. Enjoy peace and quiet inside, even in the midst of noisy outdoor activities.

Sun Protection

These remarkable windows and doors even protect your draperies, rugs, furniture and artwork from the sun’s damaging UV rays, filtering out up to 99% of harmful rays.

Peace of Mind

The same impact-resistant glass and heavy-duty construction that keeps flying objects from penetrating your home in a hurricane also provides a strong deterrent to intruders, thieves and vandals, The PGT WinGuard line includes a complete selection of custom-made impact-resistant windows and doors that meet the strictest hurricane codes.

Energy Efficiency

WinGuard with vinyl frames also offers enhanced energy efficiency with heavy-duty multi-chambered vinyl frames and standard laminated insulating glass. The insulating glass combines impact-resistant laminated glass with a third piece of glass separated by an air space for insulating value.