Want to learn more about hurricane windows? Here is everything you need to know about the top brands and most popular features.
In this article, we’ll break down the pros, cons, and popularity of each to give you a clearer picture of what the average Floridian wants from their hurricane-impact windows.
Best Hurricane Window Brands
ES Windows, PGT Windows, CGI Windows, and ECO Windows are the biggest hurricane window brands. If you are in the market for impact-resistant windows, one of the salespeople you talk to will most likely offer at least one of these options. Let’s detail each brand’s offerings so you can be informed and prepared.
Some companies may offer other hurricane window brands, such as Lawson and Mr. Glass, more suited for builders and extreme-budget shoppers. However, they are generally not recommended for residential customers due to insufficient warranty, subpar quality, and design engineering.
ES Hurricane Windows (Best Value)
ES Windows has become one of the most popular (and most prominent) brands of hurricane windows in South Florida. TechnoGlas (ES Windows) is as large as the four major manufacturers combined, based solely on stock price.
ES Windows has been offering better products and better prices than anyone else in the space, and has become the #1 selling manufacturer of hurricane windows in Florida. Known for strength and value, ES Windows are Miami-Dade approved and designed for higher PPF (pressure ratings) making them a favorite for both residential and commercial projects.
of reliable impact windows.
Product Lines
- MultiMax (Entry-Level)
- ES Elite (Mid-Level)
- ES Prestige (Premium)
For ES Windows, there is very little difference between their entry-level and mid-level product lines. They both use the same heat-strengthened glass. The ES Elite’s frame is 1/2 inch thicker in width, but still maintains the same design pressure ratings (PPF), and the Elite features screw covers.
How ES Took Over The Impact Window Market
During the beginning of COVID, many Floridians were looking to do work on their homes. Many major manufacturers at the time were hopelessly backed up due to worldwide aluminum shortages and shipping problems. ES Windows was one of the only brands of the time to deliver in 3-4 months, while the rest of the major manufacturers took 9-12 months to deliver impact windows.
Want to learn more? How ES Window Became the Best-Selling Impact Windows in Florida
PGT Windows
One of the more prominent companies in South Florida, PGT, has been in the business for decades. However, due to the total domination of ES Windows, PGT has been losing ground in Florida as ES Windows has been outpricing them and offering more features. But they are still one of the preferred US manufacturers of reliable impact windows.
Product Lines
PGT offers 3 main product lines:
- Sparta (Entry-Level)
- WinGuard (Entry-Level)
- WinDoor (Premium)
- WinDoor Estate (has been discontinued as of November 1st, 2025)
Both the Sparta and WinGuard are their entry-level impact window options, and the WinDoor is their premium offering. PGT does not offer any clear, true mid-level product lines (WinGuard has specs that match most other brands entry-level options, and up until PGT sunset CGI Windows, WinGuard has always been their entry-level product.
The CGI Impact Window Brand has been sunlit.
As of November 1st, 2025, CGI is no longer operating as a separate brand from its parent company (PGT). PGT has rebranded the late-CGI’s Sparta window line under its own brand (PGT Sparta)
CGI Windows
One of the oldest hurricane window companies in the US, they were bought out by PGT in the 2010s, and in late-2025, PGT has sunlit the brand and has begun offering its products under its own brand.
The CGI Sparta was always the most popular impact window used by builders due to its low cost to builders, although, buying as a consumer can be far more costly. On the consumer market, the Sparta line always had a bit of a problem competing with ES Windows due to its lower design pressure/strength, and thinner frame, and less comprehensive warranty.
ECO Windows
Also owned by PGT, ECO offers entry-level hurricane windows and impact glass. These are the most common windows found in flipped homes and bulk-built projects such as large residential constructions, as they are cheap. They can be a great option for customers looking for a US manufacturer at a reasonable price tag.
The largest drawback for most customers Is that ECO only offers a warranty up to 5 years, while other manufacturers often offer warranties up to 10 years on glass and frame.
Northern Window Brands Entering Florida
While Andersen and Pella offer excellent replacement windows up north, Renewal by Andersen and Pella are generally overpriced compared to other brands more prevalent in the Florida market and often cost twice as much as major Florida impact window brands without offering significant performance advantages.
Renewal by Andersen
Renewal by Andersen has been advertising tremendously, trying to break in to the Impact Window market, they manufacture fantastic windows, especially for northern climates where heat-loss and temperature variations more common, but for most Florida homes the advantages that Andersen windows provide (Fibrex frame) will offer no significant benefit, but will cost almost twice as much as other popular brands in South Florida.
Pella Windows
Pella manufactures mainly entry to mid-level impact windows in consideration to design pressure and frame size, but with a vinyl frame, which is considered more energy efficient. Although, in Florida, vinyl and wood frames in practice don’t offer significant energy-saving benefits that outweigh the far higher (almost 2x the cost) price tag. Vinyl window frames are far more performant in colder climates.
Get a Free Quote for Impact Windows
A free quote only costs a few minutes but can save you thousands on hurricane protection.
Entry-Level Windows (Lawson, Lowson & Mr. Glass)
The following brands are marked as entry-level due to the absence of a suitable warranty period and lack of design, research, and development resources. These brands use the glass and aluminum from ES Windows and assemble them with their own design.
Having the materials to make a great window doesn’t mean it is a great window. ES Windows has been making quality windows for over two decades and has $1.6 billion in resources for research and development. ES Windows offers a 10-year warranty, while Lawson & Mr. Glass only offers a 5-year warranty.
Lawson & Mr. Glass are commonly used by small contractors, customers not concerned with quality or warranty, and builders who want to say that their property has hurricane windows.
Smaller or Acquired Window Brands
PGT or other manufacturers have acquired some smaller brands and now operate as standalone entities:
- Custom Window Systems (CWS)
Simonton (Closed)Marvin (Stopped Operations for Impact Windows in Most of South Florida)- Jeld-Wen
- Mr. Glass
However, most of these brands cannot compete with PGT, ES Windows, and Eco on price, warranty, or overall finish quality.
What You Need To Know About The Most Popular Hurricane Window Brands
ES Hurricane Impact Windows
Impact Window Product Lines: ES offers 3 distinct product lines: Multimax, Elite, and Prestige. All of their product lines are more than sufficient to help you protect your home. The main differences between the product lines are the frame sizes, screw covers, and pricing. They are one of the only current manufacturers that offer an entry level, mid level and premium line of products currently.
Features: ES Windows offers premium features like heat-strength glass as standard, making them one of the most affordable ways to get heat-strengthened glass, which is among the strongest in the impact window market today. The only competitor to heat-strengthened glass currently is Diamond Glass offered by PGT, but it can cost 25-45% more than heat-strengthened glass from ES.
PGT Hurricane Impact Windows
Impact Window Product Lines:
PGT currently offers the Sparta and WinGuard, WinDoor lines of hurricane windows.
Sparta & WinGuard (Entry Level)
Sparta was an inherited product line from their now-discontinued child company, CGI Windows, but has lately been repositioned under the PGT brand. Currently, PGT has been trying to position their WinGuard product as their mid-tier impact window line, by touting Sparta as their Entry-level product, but truly, both the Sparta and WinGuard are both entry level products, and historically have always been.
WinDoor (Premium)
The WinDoor line is PGT’s premium line, beautiful windows, but tend to cost between 25-45% more expensive than other comparable options on the market. If you are serious about only buying US-made products, this is certainly one of your best premium impact window options currently on the market. The WinDoor hurricane window line features the option for Diamond Glass, which is comparable in strength to heat-strengthened glass but is also slightly stronger, lighter, and more scratch-resistant.
ECO Hurricane Impact Windows
ECO makes great impact window and door products, but generally, they are framed as one of the “lower-cost” manufacturers in the Southern US. The product is generally good, but their warranties are half as long as many other competitors in the hurricane window market, which usually makes us question longevity and quality of a manufacturer. Generally, our customers have not had too many issues with ECO, but its definitely something to consider while choosing a hurricane impact window brand.
What To Look For When Buying Hurricane Windows
Choosing the right impact windows is about more than just meeting code requirements — it’s about protecting your home, maximizing energy efficiency, and ensuring long-term value. Below are the key factors every homeowner should review before making a purchase.
Warranty
A strong warranty is one of the most important indicators of a quality hurricane window manufacturer and installer. Always review what’s covered (and for how long) before you commit.
Key Warranty Components to Check:
Covers defects, seal failures, and delamination of the laminated glass. A good manufacturer should offer at least 10 years, with some providing lifetime glass coverage.
Protects against warping, corrosion, or structural defects. Aluminum frames usually carry a 10- to 20-year warranty, while vinyl frames can offer lifetime coverage.
Includes locks, hinges, rollers, and balance systems. These are often the first components to wear out, so look for a minimum 5-year warranty on hardware.
This is provided by the installer, not the manufacturer. It ensures that your windows were installed according to code and manufacturer standards.
A 1-year installation warranty is standard, but top-tier contractors (like Assured Storm Protection or PGT Authorized Dealers) often offer up to 5 years.
💡 Tip: Always get the warranty in writing and clarify whether labor costs are covered for future repairs or replacements.
Strength and Design Pressure (PSF Rating)
The Design Pressure (DP) or PSF (Pounds per Square Foot) rating measures a window’s ability to withstand wind loads and flying debris. It’s measured in both positive and negative pressure ratings in pounds per square foot.
In hurricane-prone regions like Florida, this rating directly affects your home’s safety and insurance discounts.
Higher DP = Stronger Window = Better Hurricane Protection
How Manufacturers Increase DP Ratings:
- Heat-Strengthened Glass
Doubles the strength of standard glass, allowing it to withstand greater wind loads and impacts before breaking.- Reinforced Aluminum Frames
Adds structural rigidity and prevents flexing during extreme wind events.- Increased Sill Riser Height
A taller sill enhances frame stability and resistance to pressure changes.- Upgraded Interlayer (SGP vs. PVB)
PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) is the standard interlayer in laminated glass, but SGP (SentryGlas Plus) is much stronger and more rigid — improving both safety and DP rating.Cost Impact
Upgrading to SGP or heat-strengthened glass typically adds around 10% to the total cost.
Some manufacturers, such as ES Windows, include these upgrades as standard features, giving homeowners premium protection without the markup.View Design Pressure Ratings
Window Style/Type Dimensions ES Elite ES Multimax PGT WinGuard PGT SPARTA ECO Mr Glass Single Hung 37 X 50 +90/-80 psf +80/-80 psf +65/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +75/-90 psf +65/-80 psf Single Hung 37 X 63 +90/-80 psf +80/-80 psf +65/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +75/-90 psf +65/-80 psf Single Hung 53 X 38 +90/-80 psf +80/-80 psf +65/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +75/-90 psf +65/-80 psf Single Hung 53 X 50 +90/-80 psf +80/-80 psf +65/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +75/-90 psf +65/-80 psf Single Hung 53 X 63 +90/-80 psf +80/-80 psf +65/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +75/-90 psf +65/-80 psf Horizontal Roller 53 X 50 +90/-80 psf +80/-90 psf +65/-65 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-70 psf +65/-65 psf Horizontal Roller 53 X 63 +90/-80 psf +80/-90 psf +65/-65 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-70 psf +65/-65 psf Horizontal Roller 74 X 50 +90/-80 psf +80/-90 psf +63/-63 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-70 psf +65/-65 psf Horizontal Roller 74 X 63 +90/-80 psf +80/-90 psf +63/-63 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-70 psf +65/-65 psf Sliding Glass Doors 72 X 80 +80/-80 psf +80/-63 psf +46/-60 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Sliding Glass Doors 72 X 96 +80/-80 psf +80/-63 psf +46/-60 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Sliding Glass Doors 96 X 80 +78/-78 psf +85/-63 psf +46/-60 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Sliding Glass Doors 96 X 96 +80/-80 psf +96/-63 psf +46/-60 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Sliding Glass Doors 144 X 80 +80/-80 psf +80/-63 psf +46/-90 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Sliding Glass Doors 144 X 96 +80/-80 psf +80/-63 psf +46/-96 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Sliding Glass Doors 192 X 80 +70/-70 psf +80/-63 psf +46/-60 psf +55/-65 psf +105/-115 psf +67/-95 psf Fixed Window (Half-Circle) 37 x 18 +81/-81 psf +90/-70 psf +80/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +67/-95 psf Fixed Window (Half-Circle) 53 x 26 +81/-81 psf +90/-70 psf +80/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +67/-95 psf Fixed Window (Half-Circle) 74 x 37 +81/-81 psf +90/-70 psf +80/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +67/-95 psf Fixed Window (Standard) 74 X 26 +80/-80 psf +90/-70 psf +80/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +80/-80 psf Fixed Window (Standard) 96 X 26 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +80/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +80/-80 psf Fixed Window (Standard) 48 X 96 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +58/-58 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +80/-80 psf Fixed Window (Standard) 36 X 96 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +80/-120 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +80/-80 psf Fixed Window (Standard) 120 X 36 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +60/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +60/-60 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 36 X 80 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 36 X 96 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 72 X 80 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 72 X 96 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 96 X 80 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 96 X 96 +77/-77 psf +59/-59 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 144 X 80 +80/-80 psf +80/-70 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf French Door 144 X 96 +80/-80 psf +54/-54 psf +70/-80 psf +55/-65 psf +70/-75 psf +80/-80 psf
Window Installation Considerations
Even the best window will underperform if it’s not installed correctly. Professional installation ensures your windows meet design pressure ratings and maintain energy efficiency.
What a Complete Installation Should Include
- Wood Bucking (Framing Support):
Reinforces the structure around the window opening for a tight, secure fit that will last in even the most extreme weather.- Scaffolding or Lift Work (If Needed):
Required for multi-story homes or hard-to-reach areas — make sure it’s included in the quote.- Engineering and Permitting:
Every impact window installation must comply with Florida Building Code (FBC) and local permit requirements. The installer should handle all paperwork.- Cleanup, Stucco, and Paint Readiness:
Your contractor should leave the site ready for finishing touches — no exposed edges, gaps, or debris.
💡 Tip: Always get the warranty in writing and clarify whether labor costs are covered for future repairs or replacements.
Get a Free Quote for Impact Windows & Doors
A free quote only costs a few minutes but can save you thousands on hurricane protection.
Best Hurricane Window Features
Most of the impact window features will have something to do with the strength or energy efficiency of the window. Check out our detailed guide on all of the most common features offered by the top manufacturers below.
Hurricane Window Tinting
Most hurricane window companies only offer a few options for tinting, the most common being gray and bronze. There are also some specialty tints available, such as turtle tint. Turtle tint is required by code on coastal properties facing the ocean. The manufacturer that typically offers the most tinting options is ES Windows. Check out their website here for more options.
Low-E Impact Windows
With Low-E, there are usually two types available: either two coats of silver or three coats. These may have other names, such as 272 or 366, representing the silver layers and how much heat the window blocks out. We typically recommend customers go for the 366 because the price difference is minimal, but the benefit is much more significant.
Tinted Low-E Hurricane Windows
It only makes sense to go with Tinted Low-E if you are working with ES Windows. ES Windows only charges an additional 2% to tint Low-E windows, while other manufacturers charge up to 10-15% more for a tinted Low-E window.
Also, manufacturers, except for ES Windows, tend to have a slight green tint to their Low-E-Tinted windows due to their manufacturing process. ES Windows is able to make their Tinted-Low E windows true-to-color.
Insulated Glass with Argon Gas
Due to the limited efficacy in high-temperature climates, we typically do not recommend Argon Gas insulation in impact windows in South Florida. Although, most major manufacturers will offer this feature for 10-17% extra.
Heat Strength Hurricane Windows
Heat-strength glass is twice as strong on paper as traditional annealed glass due to a much more robust manufacturing process. Heat-strength glass is created by heating the glass to much higher temperatures and then rapidly cooling it, similar to how steel is tempered. Coincidentally, this process also makes it far less likely that larger pieces of glass will have a wavy appearance.
All major manufacturers offer heat-strength glass. Although ES Windows provides it as a standard feature in all of ES’ hurricane windows, other manufacturers and resellers charge up to 20% more.
Impact Windows with SGP Interlayer
SGP Interlayer is typically only used on very large pieces of glass that cannot meet design pressure requirements without it. It is an interlayer of glass that is more rigid to provide extra stability and strength to huge windows to help them meet design pressure requirements. Although, it is rarely used because it is exorbitantly expensive (30-35% extra) and is only used when required. Some companies may use a storefront/commercial window instead of SGP Interlayer to reduce costs.
Reinforced Aluminum Hurricane Windows
For people who want the strongest window possible, reinforced aluminum can increase the strength of your impact window assembly. Hurricane window frames can be supported with an additional aluminum chamber to add rigidity to the window frame, add strength, and increase the pressure.
Get a Free Quote for Impact Windows & Doors
A free quote only costs a few minutes but can save you thousands on hurricane protection.
Final Advice
When comparing quotes:
Don’t focus only on price — evaluate warranty strength, materials, DP ratings, and installation quality.
A properly installed, high-DP, energy-efficient impact window offers peace of mind, insurance savings, and long-term value that far outweighs a small upfront difference in cost.
