Finding the Perfect Windows for Your Florida Home
Choosing new windows is one of the most important investments you can make in your home. It’s not just about looks—it’s about safety, energy efficiency, and finding the perfect match for your budget and lifestyle. Here in St. Augustine, we know that windows need to stand up to intense sun, humidity, and some monster stroms and hurricanes.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve put together a guide to the trusted window brands we are proud to carry. There’s no single "best" brand, only the one that's best for you.
Premium Performance & Design
For those seeking top-tier materials, extensive customization, and exceptional performance.
PGT $$$
History: Founded in 1980 and based in Venice, Florida, PGT was instrumental in developing impact-resistant windows following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. They helped write many of the stringent codes that are now the standard for hurricane protection.
Product Offerings: PGT is most famous for its WinGuard® line of impact-resistant vinyl and aluminum windows. They also offer the EnergyVue® line for high-performance non-impact needs, along with a wide array of sliding glass doors and French doors.
What Makes Them Unique: PGT is the "gold standard" for hurricane protection in Florida. Their products are engineered, tested, and proven to withstand the most severe coastal conditions. Their focus on safety and robust engineering gives homeowners ultimate peace of mind.
WinDor $$$
History: A California-based brand with a history of innovation in large-scale openings, WinDor was acquired by Pella in 2020, blending its West Coast contemporary style with Pella's nationwide reputation for quality and resources.
Product Offerings: WinDor excels in in creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces. They are best known for their premium vinyl bi-fold doors and multi-slide doors that create massive, unobstructed openings. They also offer matching casement, awning, and fixed windows.
What Makes Them Unique: WinDor is all about the "wow" factor. If your dream home includes a wall that disappears to open onto a lanai, WinDor is the brand to look at. Their engineering focuses on smooth operation and sleek, modern sightlines for expansive views.
The Sweet Spot: Excellent Quality & Value
These brands deliver a fantastic combination of durability, energy efficiency, and style, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.
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Custom Window Systems (CWS) $$
History: Founded in 1986 in Ocala, Florida, CWS was created with a single mission: to build windows specifically designed to handle Florida's unique climate. They have a deep, local understanding of the challenges of sun, humidity, and storms.
Product Offerings: CWS offers a comprehensive range of vinyl and aluminum windows, including their popular WindPact® impact series and Aria series. They are also a leading manufacturer of vinyl porch and patio enclosures, perfect for Florida lanais.
What Makes Them Unique: CWS is a "By Floridians, for Floridians" brand. Their deep roots in the state mean their products are perfectly tailored to our environment. Their expertise in patio enclosures makes them a go-to choice for expanding living space.
Simonton $$
History: Simonton began in 1946 and grew into a national leader in vinyl windows. Now part of Cornerstone Building Brands, they have a long-standing reputation for quality and have won numerous J.D. Power awards for customer satisfaction.
Product Offerings: Simonton offers a wide variety of vinyl window and door lines, including the Reflections®, Madeira™, and their robust StormBreaker Plus® impact-resistant series. They are known for extensive customization options in colors, hardware, and grid patterns.
What Makes Them Unique: Simonton's key strengths are reliability and energy efficiency. They are consistently ranked as an ENERGY STAR® partner of the year, and their windows are known for their durability and strong warranties, making them a safe, dependable choice.
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Renaissance Windows & Doors $$
History: As another Florida-focused manufacturer, Renaissance has built its reputation on producing high-quality vinyl windows and doors that are perfectly suited for coastal living. They prioritize performance and longevity in our demanding climate.
Product Offerings: Renaissance specializes in high-performance vinyl windows, including single-hung, double-hung, casement, and picture windows, available in both impact and non-impact versions. They also offer durable sliding glass doors.
What Makes Them Unique: Renaissance focuses on delivering exceptional value by combining high-end features—like reinforced vinyl frames and advanced weatherstripping—with competitive pricing. They are a fantastic choice for homeowners who want premium performance without the premium price tag.
Smart & Accessible Solutions
These brands offer dependable quality and performance at an attractive price point, making them an excellent choice for any project.
Ply Gem $
History: Ply Gem is a powerhouse national brand (also part of Cornerstone) with a history going back over 75 years. They are a leading manufacturer of not just windows, but also siding, fencing, and other exterior building products.
Product Offerings: Their window selection is vast, covering vinyl, aluminum, and wood-clad options. Popular series like the 1500 Vinyl Collection and the Pro Series offer reliable, budget-friendly solutions for new construction and replacement projects.
What Makes Them Unique: Ply Gem's strength is its sheer breadth of offering. They provide dependable, affordable, and widely-available windows for every type of home and budget, from a simple rental refresh to a new custom build. Their nationwide presence ensures solid support.
Jeld-Wen $
History: Started in 1960 as a small millwork plant in Oregon, Jeld-Wen has grown through acquisitions into one of the largest window and door manufacturers in the world, with a truly global reach.
Product Offerings: Jeld-Wen offers everything. Their product lines span from accessible vinyl windows (like the V-2500 series) perfect for quick replacements, to mid-range options, all the way up to high-end custom architectural wood and clad-wood windows.
What Makes Them Unique: Versatility is Jeld-Wen's defining feature. No other brand offers such a massive range of materials, styles, and price points. This makes them a "one-stop shop" where you can find a solution for literally any project or budget.
Modern View Windows $
History: Modern View is a more focused brand that was created to provide a straightforward, accessible solution for homeowners looking for a clean aesthetic and reliable performance without an overwhelming number of options.
Product Offerings: The product line is streamlined, focusing on the most popular styles: single-hung, horizontal roller, and picture windows, as well as sliding glass doors. They prioritize energy-efficient glass and durable vinyl frames.
What Makes Them Unique: Modern View's motto is "Simplicity and Value." They are the perfect choice for homeowners who don't want to get lost in endless customization. They deliver a quality, modern-looking window that performs well and fits the budget.
