PGT series compared. WinGuard Vinyl, WinGuard Aluminum, Sparta and every line.

Start with the line: vinyl, aluminum or Sparta.

Every PGT impact window and door belongs to a line, and the line sets the frame, the finishes and the paperwork. WinGuard Vinyl and WinGuard Aluminum cover the same core styles. The vinyl frame insulates better; aluminum offers slimmer frames, Clear Anodize and higher ratings on several windows. Sparta is PGT's lower-cost aluminum line, with a short menu, a nominal 2 in. frame and Florida Product Approvals. Estate by PGT is the decorative FD450 entry door. Every series below is rated for large and small missile. The table compares the residential lines; the sections that follow go product type by product type.

Single-hung and double-hung windows.

PGT makes one impact single-hung per line, plus one double-hung. The SH5500 has a 3-1/2 in. vinyl frame, a tilt-in sash and an aluminum-reinforced interlock, with data-sheet U-values of 0.29 to 0.33. The SH7700A has a slimmer 2-3/4 in. aluminum frame, a lock that shows when it is unlocked, and a slightly higher positive design pressure in its NOA, but U-values of 0.51 to 0.58. The Sparta SH4100A uses block-and-tackle balances and is approved up to +55/-65 psf, with an overall buck size up to 52-1/8 x 77 in. The DH5560 is the only double-hung; both sashes tilt in for cleaning. See our Impact Single-Hung Window page.

• SH5500: lower U-values and a tilt-in sash, in a vinyl home.
• DH5560: a traditional double-hung look; both sashes tilt in for cleaning.
• SH7700A: a slim aluminum frame, Clear Anodize and a Miami-Dade NOA up to +80/-110 psf.
• SH4100A: modest openings where +55/-65 psf and white or bronze are enough.

Horizontal rollers and sliding glass windows.

For wide, short openings, each line has a horizontal roller. The vinyl HR5510 and the aluminum HR7710A both come in XO/OX and XOX layouts, up to 120 x 63 in. as an XOX; the HR5510 reaches 140 x 63 in. with a custom sash. The HR7710A carries the higher NOA rating, +80/-110 psf against +65/-110 psf, while the HR5510 insulates far better. The Sparta HR4110A carries Florida approval FL29699, and its installation drawing sets the pressures. PGT also makes sliding glass windows, also called countertop windows: the vinyl SGD5570W (NOA 26-0611.02) and the aluminum SGD770W (NOA 24-1219.09). See our Impact Sliding Window page.

Picture and shaped windows.

Each line has a fixed picture window and a matching architectural shape (the AR models), built in arches, circles and other shapes. The aluminum PW7720A and AR7720A carry the highest ratings in this group, up to +90/-130 psf under NOA 23-0816.02, with data-sheet sizes up to 42 sq ft, so they suit large fixed views where high design pressures are needed. The vinyl PW5520 and AR5520 reach +80/-110 psf and have the lowest U-values in this group, 0.24 to 0.30. Sparta's PW4120A and AR4120A carry Florida approval FL29700, and the installation drawing sets the pressures. Fixed units also work as transoms or shapes above operating windows. See our Impact Picture Window page.

Casement and awning windows.

Casements and awnings come in WinGuard Vinyl and WinGuard Aluminum only; Sparta has neither. The vinyl CA5540 is an outswing casement with egress and washable hinge options, up to 40 x 84 in. with the TruHold hinge. The aluminum CA740 comes in single, double and XOX layouts, up to 134 x 63 in. as an XOX, and is rated up to +90/-130 psf. Awnings follow the same pattern: the AW5540 at +70/-110 psf and the AW740 at +90/-130 psf. For matching fixed glass beside them, use the PW5540 or AR5540 casement-picture in vinyl (NOA 25-0801.05) or the PW740 in aluminum (NOA 23-0816.08, up to 32 sq ft). See our Impact Casement Window page and our Impact Awning Window page.

Sliding glass doors: vinyl, aluminum or Sparta.

PGT's two main impact sliders, the vinyl SGD5570 and the aluminum SGD770, share the same layouts: up to eight panels on four tracks, pocket and 90/135-degree corner options, and openings up to 40 ft. The SGD5570 has the higher NOA rating, +100/-100 psf against +90/-90 psf, data-sheet U-values of 0.31 to 0.35 and the Triton glass option. The SGD770 adds Clear Anodize and high-performance versions under NOAs 25-0102.01 (large missile) and 25-0102.02 (small missile). The Sparta SGD4130A is a by-pass door only, rated +55/-65 psf under FL33106, in white or bronze. See our Impact Sliding Glass Door page.

• SGD5570: the highest NOA rating of the three and the lowest U-values, in vinyl.
• SGD770: aluminum, Clear Anodize and high-performance NOA versions.
• SGD4130A: by-pass layouts only, for budget patio-door replacements.

Narrow-stile sliders for thinner sightlines.

PGT's Preferred View doors put more glass and less frame in the opening. The vinyl SGD5570NS has 2.5 in. panel profiles; the aluminum SGD770NS has 2.5 in. interlocks, half the width of standard interlocks. Both take up to eight panels on four tracks with pocket and corner options. The SGD770NS reaches 48 ft, against 40 ft for the vinyl version. Both carry Florida Product Approval FL33106, rated for the HVHZ, rather than a Miami-Dade NOA, and their design pressures depend on panel size and glass. Where a Miami-Dade NOA is required, the standard SGD5570 and SGD770 have one. For multi-track and corner sliders, see our Impact Multitrack Sliding Door page.

French and entry doors.

PGT makes three hinged impact doors. The FD5555 is the WinGuard Vinyl French door, with wood-look cellular vinyl panels, multi-point locks, a 4-9/16 in. frame and a Miami-Dade NOA rated +70/-70 psf. The FD160 is the WinGuard Aluminum French door, with a three-point lock and a 4 in. frame. The FD450 is the Estate by PGT entry door, with sidelites, integral transoms, true divided lites, panel accents, electronic hardware options and eleven finishes plus woodgrain. The FD160 and FD450 carry Florida approval FL331, rated for the HVHZ, and their design pressures depend on the configuration. See our Impact Entry Door page.

• FD5555: the only one of the three with a Miami-Dade NOA, rated +70/-70 psf.
• FD160: an aluminum French door to match WinGuard Aluminum windows.
• FD450: the decorative front door, with the widest choice of finishes.

Mullions and commercial storefront.

To join PGT windows and doors into larger openings, PGT uses clipped aluminum tube mullions in 1X, 2X and bay versions, under NOA 26-0401.06. We check the mullion's approval along with each unit it joins. PGT Commercial is a separate storefront range: the SS-3500 and SS-3520 window systems and the SE-3550 entrance door, all with Florida approvals rated for the HVHZ. The storefront systems reach design pressures up to +90/-120 psf. They suit storefronts and light commercial projects; most homes will not need them. See our Window & Door Mullions page.

Choosing between PGT series.

Start with the opening, then the paperwork. The approval decides what is allowed on your wall, and the list below matches each need to a line. Sparta is PGT's lower-cost line. In every case, 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, and the brand overview is at our PGT page. Ask us for a side-by-side quote.

• Energy figures first: WinGuard Vinyl has the lowest data-sheet U-values in the range.
• Slim frames, Clear Anodize or higher window ratings: WinGuard Aluminum, up to +90/-130 psf on several windows.
• Large patio openings: the SGD5570 (up to +100/-100 psf) or SGD770, or a narrow-stile NS door for thinner sightlines.
• Modest openings on a budget: Sparta, within its +55/-65 psf ratings.
• A decorative front door: the Estate FD450.