North America · Window Manufacturer
PGT Innovations
🇺🇸 USA · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
founded
1980
hq
Venice, Florida, USA
primaryMaterials
Aluminium frames, laminated impact glass
glazingPartner
In-house - laminated PVB interlayer glass, hurricane-rated
marketTier
Mid-Range to Premium
Brand at a Glance
- Founded: 1980
- HQ: Venice, Florida, USA
- Market position: Largest impact window manufacturer in North America
- Flagship product: WinGuard - rated to 175 mph Category 5 hurricane winds
- Primary market: Florida, Gulf Coast, Atlantic Southeast, Caribbean
- Key lines: WinGuard, WinGuard Aluminum, WinGuard Vinyl, Eze-Breeze
- Website: pgtinnovations.com
Product Range
- WinGuard Aluminum
- WinGuard Vinyl
- PremierVue
- Eze-Breeze
Why This System
WinGuard impact glass is laminated - two or more glass panes bonded with a PVB interlayer. The interlayer is what makes the glass hurricane-resistant: after impact, the glass cracks but does not separate, because the PVB holds it together. The laminated construction means the glass edge shows the interlayer. Never use abrasive tools near the glass edge - if the glass surface is chipped or cracked near the edge, abrasive cleaning tools can catch and enlarge the damage, potentially compromising the laminate edge seal. WinGuard aluminium frames are powder-coated. Do not use abrasive tools on powder-coat finishes - scratches through the coating expose the aluminium to corrosion in the salt air environment these windows are designed for. Florida salt air is the ongoing maintenance challenge for WinGuard systems. Salt deposits on both the glass and frames require regular removal to prevent corrosion of hardware and frame-to-glass seals.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
This is how I clean PGT Innovations windows. The tools and technique below come from 25 years of daily professional work on the glass. Every step has been tested on real installations and adapted specifically for PGT Innovations systems.
Pro Tools
My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every PGT Innovations installation.
- 1
Inspect glass condition before cleaning
Check each WinGuard panel for chips, cracks, or damaged glass edges. Note any findings before cleaning begins and advise client of anything requiring assessment. Never clean a significantly damaged impact glass unit without informing the client first.
- 2
Check frame-to-glass seals
Inspect the sealant around the glass unit perimeter. Note any cracking, lifting, or deterioration. This is a maintenance reporting point, not something you repair.
- 3
Pre-rinse with deionised water on coastal properties
On coastal and near-coastal properties, rinse exterior glass and frames with deionised water before applying cleaning solution. This removes the first layer of salt deposit and prevents salt contamination of your cleaning solution.
- 4
Apply pH-neutral solution and squeegee glass
Apply cleaning solution. Squeegee glass with controlled, confident strokes. No abrasive tools at any point - squeegee rubber only on glass surface.
- 5
Wipe frames with microfibre
Wipe powder-coat aluminium frames with a damp lint-free microfibre and pH-neutral solution.
- 6
Final deionised rinse
Final rinse with deionised water on coastal properties to remove any remaining salt. Dry frames with clean microfibre.
Pro Tips
- WinGuard vinyl and WinGuard aluminium use the same laminated glass. The frame material differs but the glass protocol is identical - no abrasives on either.
- Florida property managers often want an annual deep clean schedule for WinGuard windows - particularly before hurricane season begins in June. Quote annual contracts with a pre-season inspection component.
- If a WinGuard unit shows hazing between the panes, it is a failed seal or compromised interlayer - not a cleaning issue. Advise the client to contact PGT directly.
What NOT To Do
- Do not use abrasive pads or steel wool on impact glass - no exceptions
- Do not use abrasive tools on powder-coat aluminium WinGuard frames
- Do not clean a WinGuard unit with chipped or cracked glass without noting it first
- Do not leave salt residue on frames or glass after cleaning coastal properties
- Do not use HF-based cleaning products on impact glass
- Do not scrub around the glass-to-frame seal - this seal is a hurricane-protection component
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Tool Recommendations
Ettore 18-inch squeegee - primary tool on WinGuard glass
View on Amazon [coming soon]Unger HiFlo Pure Water Pole - deionised rinse for salt air removal
View on Amazon [coming soon]pH-neutral window cleaning solution
View on Amazon [coming soon]Cleaning Frequency
Exterior glass: Every 2-3 months (Monthly in high-salt coastal locations). Interior glass: Every 6 months. Frame and seal inspection: Every exterior clean visit. Post-hurricane assessment clean: After each hurricane or tropical storm event
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“PGT WinGuard windows are in most residential properties in coastal Florida. Master the laminated glass protocol and you are equipped for the dominant residential window in your primary market. The No Abrasives rule on impact glass is absolute. Carry a card in your kit reminding your team: impact glass, no pads. Spring and post-hurricane-season cleans are major service opportunities on Florida properties. Quote them as a specialist service - you are not just cleaning glass, you are maintaining the hurricane protection system of the home.”
Justin Orloff
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