PGT Impact Resistant Windows & Doors

Homeowners with windows over 25 years old should consider replacing them, both to gain the best energy efficiencies and to protect the envelope of the house. A home is an ideal candidate for a window replacement if its windows are sealed or painted shut or has drafts that come through the windows.

Condensation or sweating is a natural occurrence on all windows and is caused by excess humidity or invisible water vapor present in the air. When this water vapor comes in contact with a surface which is at a cooler temperature, the vapor turns to visible droplets of moisture.

These are windows and doors that combine heavy-duty frames with impact-resistant laminated glass and a special silicone glazing process to keep the glass from breaking away from its frame. Impact-resistant glass is comprised of two panes of glass bonded together with a special interlayer of clear polyvinylbutyral. Although wind-borne debris or an attempted break in may crack the glass on impact, the interlayer keeps the overall window and door intact, preventing destructive winds or intruders from entering your home.

Egress requirements indicate a minimum opening size that certain windows must meet. These requirements tend to vary from region to region, so please contact your local building code official for egress requirements in your area.

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars — all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills.

ENERGY STAR labeled windows meet a stringent energy efficiency specification set by the Department of Energy and have been tested and certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). NFRC is an independent, third-party certification agency that assigns specific energy efficiency measures such as U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient to the complete window system, not simply the glass. ENERGY STAR qualified windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the window panes, improved framing materials, and Low-E coating(s) which are microscopically thin coatings that help keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer.

Low-E stands for low emissivity and is basically a microscopic, metallic coating applied to a surface of glass that reflects and re-radiates heat energy into or out of a home depending on climate conditions. Using Low-E is an excellent way to increase the energy efficiency of a window.

For air to insulate well, it needs to be as still as possible because moving air carries energy. Argon is heavier than air, so it is less prone to convection or thermal movement. The bottom line is that heavier-than-air gases offer a higher level of insulation. Argon is found naturally in the air you breathe and is completely harmless.

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (or SHGC) refers to a window’s ability to transmit solar radiation. The SHGC ranges from 0-1. A value of 0 indicates that window functions like a wall, essentially preventing any solar energy from entering the building. A value of 1 indicates that the window functions like an opening, allowing all solar energy in. In cold climates, a high SHGC can lower heating costs by using passive solar heating. In warm climates, a low SHGC is desired to keep unwanted heat out and reduce cooling costs. What are R-values and U-values?

The R-value is the resistance a material has to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance.

The U-value is the amount of heat that is transferred through a material. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating quality.

NFRC stands for the National Fenestration Rating Council. It is a program established by the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers compare window products and options. Window manufacturers participating in the program are required to label every window to it specific thermal performance level. Customers are then ensured that the products they select meet the requirements for their application. Participation in the NFRC program is voluntary. PGT is a participant in the NFRC program.

Long recognized for outstanding service, delivery and quality, when you buy PGT, you’re getting more than a window or door. We’ve been manufacturing windows in Southwest Florida for over 26 years. And our expertise is in the details:

• Every product we offer is custom-made to order, sized to fit your project perfectly with options that perform for your customers’ needs.
• Serving as a one stop shop is crucial; we have a complete line of new construction and replacement products available in impact and non-impact
  options with aluminum and vinyl frames. We also serve the commercial market with our Architectural Systems product line.
• Our stellar 99% on time delivery record means projects stay on schedule!
• Our innovation is unmatched. With Energy Star compliant configurations and product components such as the best performing warm edge spacer, we’re committed to making a great window with great performance. We’ve offered Laminated Insulating Glass for over 5 years. Heat-reducing glass tints and hi-performance low-E selections reduce energy bills and protect furnishings, draperies and artwork from fading. Your energy bill decreases, which translates to less Carbon Dioxide emissions from the generation of electric power, thus your environmental impact is reduced!
• WinGuard is the nation’s most popular brand of impact-resistant windows and doors. It didn’t just happen overnight, PGT has the most NOAs than any other manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors. In-fact we have been intimately involved in the testing standards for Miami-Dade County since their inception after Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992.
• WinGuard has been used on over 2 million installations! And throughout the storm seasons of 2004-2005, there have been zero reported failures! We have tested our products at much larger sizes than most manufacturers…that means when we sell a window or door, we’re assured that it will perform, no guessing games here. And the same technology that protects you from hurricane debris proves to be a formidable challenge to intruders.

By purchasing locally made products, you encourage a healthy economy in which you live, and a nation in which you trust. We’re proud to be a local Florida Company with a quality American manufactured product.

If you would like to learn more about this or any other hurricane protection product, please allow us to schedule a free consultation at your convenience. Once you talk to the experts, your decision will be easy.