PGT WinGuard is the product line most Sarasota-area homeowners think of first when they consider impact windows and doors. WinGuard launched in 1996 as the first complete collection of impact-resistant windows and doors in the United States, and PGT has since expanded and refined the line. For Florida homes in hurricane-exposed areas, WinGuard is often the default starting point for the conversation.
If you want to see PGT WinGuard products in person before you commit to a full-home project, our Sarasota showroom (by appointment only) is the fastest way to compare configurations, glass packages, and frame finishes side by side. More on that below.
Learn more about PGT impact windows and doors.
What PGT WinGuard Is
WinGuard is a family of impact-rated windows and doors built specifically to meet the code requirements of Florida’s hurricane-prone coastal regions. Every WinGuard unit features laminated impact glass, which consists of two glass panes bonded with a clear interlayer that holds fragments in place even when struck. Combined with reinforced frames and multi-point locking systems, WinGuard products are engineered to keep the building envelope intact during a storm.
The WinGuard family is divided into two main collections:
- WinGuard Aluminum for homeowners who want the largest sizes, the strongest design pressures, and a traditional aluminum frame profile
- WinGuard Vinyl for homeowners who prioritize energy efficiency and corrosion resistance, especially on coastal or salt-air-exposed homes
Both collections carry Florida Product Approval and Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance on most configurations, meaning they’ve been tested to ASTM E1886, ASTM E1996, and Miami-Dade TAS protocols 201, 202, and 203.
See PGT WinGuard in a John Cannon Custom Home
Watch PGT’s walk-through of a John Cannon Homes custom build in Sarasota. John Cannon Homes is one of the Sarasota area’s best-known luxury custom builders, and they specify PGT windows and doors for their projects. All Glass & Windows installs PGT products for John Cannon homes and other custom projects throughout the Sarasota area.
WinGuard Aluminum vs. WinGuard Vinyl
The aluminum-versus-vinyl question comes up on almost every WinGuard project. Neither is universally “better.” They serve different priorities.
When WinGuard Aluminum fits best
Aluminum handles the largest window and door sizes and the highest design pressures in the WinGuard family. It’s the common choice for:
- Larger architectural openings where vinyl sizes tap out
- Sliding glass doors with wide spans
- Homes where a slim, traditional aluminum frame profile is part of the design
- New construction and major renovation projects where the widest available frame options matter
Aluminum carries a 10-year limited warranty on the WinGuard Aluminum line.
When WinGuard Vinyl fits best
Vinyl brings energy efficiency and corrosion resistance to the impact equation. It’s the common choice for:
- Coastal and bayfront homes where salt air is a concern
- Homes where energy bills are a priority, especially west-facing exposures
- Standard-size replacement projects where vinyl covers the full range of openings
- Projects aiming for ENERGY STAR ratings
Vinyl carries a limited lifetime warranty on the WinGuard Vinyl line. PGT’s vinyl frames use multi-chambered construction that holds indoor temperatures better than single-chamber designs, which matters in Florida’s cooling-dominant climate.
Before you finalize a WinGuard order, it’s worth understanding what the warranty covers. We break down the standard PGT coverage, plus the Crystal Care upgrade we include at no extra charge, in our guide to what the standard PGT warranty covers.
A quick rule of thumb
If energy efficiency and salt air exposure are your top concerns, vinyl is usually the starting point. If you need the largest possible openings or specific design pressures, aluminum is usually the starting point. During a site visit, we measure the openings, discuss your exposure, and walk through which configuration fits best.
See PGT WinGuard at Our Sarasota Showroom
If you want to touch a WinGuard window before you order one, our showroom is set up for exactly that. You can compare aluminum and vinyl frames side by side, see the different glass packages in person, open and close the operable styles, and feel the weight and build quality of the hardware.
All Glass & Windows Showroom 6384 Tower Lane Sarasota, FL 34240
Showroom Hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (by appointment only)
What you can see in the showroom
- Full WinGuard Aluminum and Vinyl window samples
- Operable WinGuard sliding glass door and French door configurations
- Glass package comparisons including Low-E, tinted, and sound-control options
- Frame finish and color options, including black, bronze, white, and custom
- Hardware and locking system options
Book an appointment, and we’ll be sure to have your specific WinGuard product pulled and ready when you arrive. Showroom visits are free, but appointments are required. Scheduling one helps us set aside time to walk through your project in detail.
WinGuard Window and Door Lineup
WinGuard covers a wide range of window and door styles across both the Aluminum and Vinyl collections. Here’s a summary of what’s available, with links to the product-specific guides we’ve written for the most common configurations.
Windows
- Single Hung Windows: Available in WinGuard Aluminum (SH7700A) and WinGuard Vinyl (SH5500). The vinyl SH5500 is one of the most commonly specified PGT windows in the Sarasota area.
- Horizontal Roller Windows: Aluminum HR7710A and Vinyl HR5510. Common in kitchens and bathrooms, where vertical clearance is limited.
- Casement Windows: Aluminum CA740 and Vinyl CA5540. Crank-operated for full ventilation. See our PGT casement windows guide for details.
- Awning Windows: Aluminum AW740 and Vinyl AW5540. Hinged at the top, commonly installed high for light and ventilation.
- Picture Windows: Aluminum PW7720A and Vinyl PW5520. Non-operable for maximum glass area and unobstructed views. See our PGT picture windows guide.
- Double Hung Windows: Vinyl only (DH5560). Both sashes operate for full top-and-bottom ventilation.
- Architectural Windows: Aluminum AR7720A and Vinyl AR5520. Available in half-circle, arch, eyebrow, trapezoid, and custom shapes.
Doors
- Sliding Glass Doors: Aluminum SGD770 and Vinyl SGD5570. The SGD5570 handles expansions up to 40 feet. See our PGT sliding glass doors guide.
- French Doors: Vinyl FD5555. See our vinyl FD5555 guide for details.
- Essential French Door: Aluminum FD101H with a two-point locking system.
All WinGuard products offer the option to upgrade glass for enhanced energy performance, tint, or sound control. Frame finishes include white, bronze, black, and a range of custom colors. Hardware finishes coordinate with frame color choices.
How WinGuard Fits Different Sarasota-Area Homes
One of the reasons WinGuard is so widely specified in our area is that it fits such a wide range of home types. A few examples from the projects we do most often:
Barrier island homes (Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Casey Key): Vinyl is often the starting point due to salt-air corrosion of hardware. For the largest openings or specific architectural requirements, aluminum fills in where vinyl sizes stop.
Lakewood Ranch and inland Sarasota County: Either collection works well. The decision often comes down to energy priorities (vinyl) or opening sizes (aluminum). Vinyl single-hung and casement windows are common on standard-size replacement projects.
Downtown Sarasota condos and multi-story buildings: Vinyl’s high design pressures make it a strong fit for elevated applications. Architectural and picture window configurations are common for preserving views.
Bradenton and Osprey homes: Same options apply as Sarasota proper. We install throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and south Pinellas counties.
St. Petersburg projects: We install PGT WinGuard for new construction and replacement projects in St. Petersburg. Visit our St. Petersburg impact windows page for more on what we handle in that area.
Every project starts with a site visit so we can measure the openings, assess your exposure, discuss HOA requirements if applicable, and walk through the WinGuard options that make sense for your specific home.
Related PGT Product Information
If you’re comparing WinGuard against other PGT lines or reading up on warranty and glass upgrade options, these guides go deeper on the adjacent topics:
- PGT EnergyVue Vinyl Windows and Doors: the non-impact vinyl line for inland or lower-exposure homes
- PGT CrystalCare Warranty: details on PGT’s extended warranty program
- Sparta by PGT: the value-tier aluminum impact line, formerly CGI Sparta
- PGT Triton Glass Upgrade: current glass upgrade promotion details
- Main PGT product page: full PGT product lineup at All Glass & Windows
PGT WinGuard FAQs for Sarasota Homeowners
Our All Glass & Windows showroom at 6384 Tower Lane in Sarasota features live WinGuard Aluminum and Vinyl samples for hands-on comparison. You can compare frames, glass packages, and finishes side by side during our Monday through Friday hours, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 941-379-9555 to have a specific WinGuard product pulled before you arrive.
Both are impact-rated. Aluminum handles the largest openings and highest design pressures, with a traditional aluminum frame profile and a 10-year limited warranty. Vinyl offers better energy efficiency and corrosion resistance, with a limited lifetime warranty. For coastal homes and energy-focused projects, vinyl is usually the starting point. For the largest architectural openings or specific design pressures, aluminum is usually the starting point.
WinGuard is PGT’s impact-rated line, engineered to meet hurricane building codes. EnergyVue is PGT’s non-impact line, focused on energy efficiency. In simple terms, WinGuard is usually part of the impact conversation, and EnergyVue is usually part of the non-impact efficiency conversation. Our EnergyVue guide covers the non-impact option in more detail.
WinGuard Aluminum carries a 10-year limited warranty. WinGuard Vinyl carries a limited lifetime warranty. PGT also offers the CrystalCare extended warranty program as an add-on. For full warranty details and what’s covered, see our CrystalCare warranty guide.
Yes. PGT offers black frame options across most WinGuard Aluminum and WinGuard Vinyl configurations, including single-hung, horizontal roller, casement, awning, picture, architectural, double-hung (vinyl), sliding glass doors, and French doors. Custom colors are also available through PGT’s custom finish program.