PGT impact windows and doors. A homeowner's guide.

Who PGT is, and where it builds.

PGT is a Florida maker of impact-resistant windows and doors, based in North Venice. PGT Industries was founded in 1980 as Vinyl Tech, Inc. Since March 28, 2024, PGT has been part of MITER Brands, which bought parent company PGT Innovations. Its impact range runs from vinyl and aluminum windows to multi-panel sliding doors, entry doors and commercial storefront. True Impact supplies and installs PGT impact windows and doors. This guide covers the lines, the approvals, the glass and finishes, the warranty, and how we quote a PGT job. For the brand overview, see our PGT page.

Five impact lines, each with its own job.

PGT groups its impact products into five lines. The two WinGuard lines share most window and door styles; the main difference is the frame. Sparta is a shorter aluminum menu, Estate by PGT is the entry door, and PGT Commercial is storefront. PGT also makes EnergyVue, ClassicVue Max and Scout, which are non-impact lines and are not part of a hurricane-protection job.

• WinGuard Vinyl: welded, multi-chambered vinyl frames and the lowest data-sheet U-values in the PGT range.
• WinGuard Aluminum: extruded aluminum frames, a Clear Anodize option and the largest sliding doors in the range.
• Sparta: PGT's lower-cost aluminum impact line, with five products in white or bronze.
• Estate by PGT: the FD450 aluminum entry door, with sidelites, transoms and woodgrain finishes.
• PGT Commercial: the SS-3500 and SS-3520 storefront windows and the SE-3550 storefront door.

WinGuard Vinyl or WinGuard Aluminum: the frame decides.

Both WinGuard lines cover single-hung, horizontal roller, casement, awning, picture and shaped windows, sliding glass doors and a French door. WinGuard Vinyl adds a double-hung, the DH5560. The vinyl frame is 3-1/2 in. deep on the windows, and data-sheet U-values run about 0.24 to 0.38 with laminated insulating glass. WinGuard Aluminum frames are 2-3/4 in. deep on most windows. Aluminum conducts more heat, so its U-values run about 0.39 to 0.71. In return, several aluminum windows are rated up to +90/-130 psf, and the line offers Clear Anodize. PGT's lighter Triton impact glass is available on WinGuard Vinyl products. Our PGT series comparison goes model by model.

Sparta: a shorter menu for budget-conscious projects.

Sparta is PGT's lower-cost aluminum impact line. The menu is short: the SH4100A single-hung, the HR4110A horizontal roller, the PW4120A and AR4120A picture and shape windows, and the SGD4130A sliding glass door. Frames are a nominal 2 in. deep, finishes are white or bronze only, and the door comes in by-pass layouts only, up to four panels on two tracks or three panels on three tracks. Every Sparta product carries a Florida Product Approval rated for the HVHZ instead of a Miami-Dade NOA. Ratings are lower than WinGuard: the SH4100A is approved up to +55/-65 psf. For modest openings, Sparta may be enough.

Estate doors and PGT Commercial.

Estate by PGT is the FD450 aluminum entry door. It comes as a single or double door with sidelites and integral transoms, including inswing configurations, with true divided lites, solid aluminum or simulated-louver panel accents and electronic hardware options. The frame is 4-1/2 in. deep, and doors run up to about 120-3/4 in. tall. It carries Florida approval FL331, rated for the HVHZ. PGT Commercial covers the SS-3500 and SS-3520 storefront window systems and the SE-3550 storefront entrance door, with heights up to 144 in. (SS-3500) and 180 in. (SS-3520) and design pressures up to +90/-120 psf. Most homeowners will not need these commercial systems.

How PGT products are approved.

PGT holds 44 active Miami-Dade NOAs, 24 of them for impact-rated products, and 27 Florida Product Approvals. Most WinGuard series hold Miami-Dade NOAs, such as NOA 25-0520.01 for the SH5500 single-hung. Sparta, the SGD5570NS and SGD770NS narrow-stile sliding doors, the FD160 French door and the Estate FD450 carry Florida Product Approvals rated for the HVHZ instead. Some WinGuard models also hold Florida approvals for use outside the HVHZ only, so the right document depends on where the home is. The approval for the exact size, glass and wall governs, and True Impact confirms the current approval for each opening before permitting. Every PGT approval is listed at the PGT product approvals page.

Glass and finishes.

Every WinGuard product uses laminated or laminated insulating impact glass. Options include Low-E coatings (EnergyShield, EnergyShield Max and SolarControl LowE2), argon, tints and obscure glass, and WinGuard Vinyl adds Triton lightweight impact glass and ENERGY STAR options. Sparta uses laminated impact glass, with a Low-E option on the SGD4130A door. The Estate FD450 takes laminated or laminated insulating glass, true divided lites and solid aluminum or simulated-louver panels. Frame colors depend on the line:

• WinGuard Vinyl: White, Beige, Bronze or Black, with two-tone options.
• WinGuard Aluminum: White, Bronze, Black or Clear Anodize.
• Sparta: White or Bronze.
• Estate by PGT: White, Bone White, Bronze, Bermuda Bronze, Black, Velvet Gray, Southbeach Silver, Clear Anodize, Walnut Brown, Hazelnut Brown and Mahogany Red, plus woodgrain options.
• PGT Commercial: White, Bronze, Clear Anodize or a custom color.

The warranty in plain words.

PGT's residential warranties took effect on September 1, 2026. They are lifetime limited for the original owner-occupant, and 10 years for other owners. Insulated-glass seal failure is covered for 20 years. PGT issues separate documents for replacement products, new construction and exported products, so the right one depends on the project, and it offers online warranty registration. The written warranty sets the exact terms and exclusions, so read it before you choose. The warranty page is linked below.

Which homes and openings PGT suits.

PGT covers single-hung, double-hung, sliding, picture, casement and awning windows, sliding and multi-track doors, French and entry doors, and mullions. It has no impact pivot door or window wall. Every series is rated for large and small missile, so the choice comes down to frame, looks, energy figures and the approval your wall needs. Match the line to the home and the opening; product pages such as our Impact Sliding Glass Door page explain each opening type.

• Vinyl homes that put energy figures first: WinGuard Vinyl, including the DH5560 double-hung for traditional-style homes.
• Coastal homes that want slim aluminum frames, Clear Anodize or higher window ratings: WinGuard Aluminum.
• Large patio openings: the SGD5570 or SGD770, with up to eight panels on four tracks and pocket or corner options.
• Budget projects with modest openings: Sparta.
• Front entries: the Estate FD450. For hinged patio doors, the FD5555 in vinyl or the FD160 in aluminum.

How True Impact quotes PGT.

We start with your openings, not a catalog. We measure each one, note the wall type and the design pressures your plans require, and ask how you use each room. Then we match every opening to a PGT series whose approval covers that size, glass and wall. Where two lines fit, such as an SH5500 or an SH7700A single-hung, we lay them out side by side so you can weigh frame, energy figures, finish and approval. True Impact confirms the current approval for each opening before permitting. Ask us for a side-by-side quote.