⚡ Key Takeaways — Read This First
- ✅ PGT's 2026 replacement warranty: lifetime frame coverage for the original owner-occupant, 10 years for later owners
- ✅ Tints, films, sealant or paint applied to a PGT product are excluded from coverage
- ✅ ESW warranties are generally transferable within the warranty period
- ✅ Your contractor owes you a separate workmanship warranty — get it in writing
- ✅ Warranties don't cover storm damage — that's your homeowners insurance
- ✅ Register PGT products online and keep the order number — a claim needs it
Most Florida homeowners assume their impact windows are covered "forever" once installed. The reality is more complicated. Manufacturer warranties have specific terms, exclusions, and registration requirements — and the wrong cleaning product or an aftermarket window tint can silently void your coverage without you knowing it.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what PGT WinGuard, ESW (ES Windows), and Mr. Glass actually warrant, the six most common ways homeowners accidentally void their coverage, the often-overlooked issue of transferability, and what your contractor's workmanship warranty must include.
If you're comparing quotes, use the contractor warranty checklist in Section 5 as a negotiation tool — it separates serious companies from ones that will disappear after installation.
1. Two Warranties, Two Different Companies
When you install impact windows, you actually receive two separate warranties from two different parties. Confusing them is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make.
Manufacturer Warranty
Issued by the window brand (PGT, ESW, Mr. Glass). Covers defects in the glass, frame materials, hardware, and seals.
- • Frame defects (cracking, warping, corrosion)
- • Insulating glass seal failure (fogging)
- • Hardware failure (locks, rollers, hinges)
- • Laminated glass delamination
Does NOT cover: storm damage, improper installation, modifications
Workmanship / Installation Warranty
Issued by your contractor. Covers the quality of the installation — sealing, flashing, fasteners, code compliance.
- • Water infiltration through seals
- • Air leakage around frame
- • Fastener pullout or improper anchoring
- • Permit and inspection failures
Standard term: 1–5 years (get it in writing)
Important: The manufacturer warranty can be voided by bad installation, even though it's a separate document. PGT explicitly states that improper installation — wrong fasteners, incorrect sealing, non-code-compliant framing — voids their coverage. This means your contractor's quality directly affects your manufacturer warranty protection.
2. PGT Windows Warranty (WinGuard) — 2026 Terms
PGT WinGuard is Florida's most widely installed impact window brand. The table below summarizes PGT's Replacement Product Lifetime Limited Warranty (effective September 1, 2026), which covers PGT windows and doors made after that date for installation into an existing home. New construction and storefront products have different warranties, and windows made before September 1, 2026 carry the warranty that was in force when they were made.
| Component | Original owner-occupant | All other owners | What's covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame & panel material | Lifetime (while you own and live in the home) | 10 years | Excessive bowing, blistering, chipping, cracking, peeling, corroding or pitting that affects normal use |
| Insulated glass unit (IGU) — fogging | 20 years | 10 years | Dust, moisture or outgassing on an inside glass surface that materially blocks vision (standard, laminated or impact glass) |
| Laminated / impact glass delamination | 10 years | 10 years | Delamination of a laminated or impact IGU |
| Stress crack | 1 year | 1 year | Stress cracks only — other glass breakage is not covered |
| Hardware | 10 years | 10 years | Defects in material or workmanship that affect normal use |
| Weatherstripping & screens | 1 year | 1 year | Defects in material or workmanship that affect normal use |
| Finishes | 10 years (standard paint/powdercoat, Capstock vinyl); 20 years (superior performance paint/powdercoat) | Same | Excessive peeling, checking, cracking, chalking, fading or color change |
| Skilled labor & shipping | 2 years from delivery | 2 years from delivery | Only inside PGT's service territory (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA) |
Source: PGT Industries, "Replacement Product Lifetime Limited Warranty," effective September 1, 2026 (document MA0200810), linked from pgtwindows.com/warranty, read October 25, 2026. Coverage periods start on the product delivery date. The warranty document controls; this is a summary.
PGT Warranty Transfer: Yes, With Shorter Coverage
PGT's 2026 replacement warranty says it is transferable, and each owner is responsible for passing it to the next owner before or at the sale. The lifetime terms belong to the original owner who lives in the home; subsequent owners, rentals, HOAs and commercial owners fall under the 10-Year Limited Warranty, counted from the original delivery date.
Implication for sellers: hand the buyer the warranty document, the order number and the delivery date so the next owner can file a claim inside the remaining 10-year window.
📋 PGT Warranty Registration and Claims
PGT's warranty page says registering "simplifies your service experience, should you ever require it"; the 2026 warranty text does not list registration as a condition of coverage. Claims must be submitted within 30 days of discovering the problem, first through the distributor (or PGT's online service request), with the order number, a description of each product and photos. When Vieser Construction installs PGT products, we include warranty registration in our project documentation package.
3. ESW and Mr. Glass Warranty Comparison
ESW (ES Windows)
ESW is manufactured in Homestead, FL — a Florida-based company with support local to South Florida.
Mr. Glass
Mr. Glass is a value-tier Florida brand. Good for budget projects; warranty terms less comprehensive than PGT or ESW on glass.
Note: Always request a copy of the manufacturer's current warranty document before signing a contract — not just a contractor's summary of coverage. Warranty terms can change between product generations. Vieser Construction provides the actual manufacturer warranty documents as part of every proposal.
4. Six Things That Void Your Impact Window Warranty
These are the most common warranty-voiding mistakes Florida homeowners make — often without knowing it:
1. Applying Window Film or Tint
PGT's warranty excludes conditions caused by alterations, including "the application of tints, films, sealant, caulk or paint finishes." That includes popular solar films meant to reduce heat. Get the manufacturer's written approval before adding any film.
2. Painting or Coating the Frame
Painting aluminum or vinyl frames — even with "approved" exterior paint — voids most manufacturer warranties. The frame color is set at the factory. If you want a different color, order it custom from the start.
3. Using Harsh Chemical Cleaners
Bleach, abrasive cleaners, solvent-based products, and ammonia-based glass cleaners (like many commercial window sprays) damage seals and frame finishes. Use mild soap and water or manufacturer-recommended cleaners only. See our maintenance guide for safe cleaning products.
4. ACQ Copper-Treated Wood Contact
Direct contact between aluminum frames and Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) pressure-treated wood causes galvanic corrosion that voids the PGT warranty. If your buck frame uses treated lumber, a barrier must separate it from the aluminum window frame. This is a code and installation issue — your contractor must use a proper isolating barrier.
5. Improper Installation
Poor sealing, incorrect fastener spacing, non-code-compliant rough opening size, or installation by a contractor not authorized by the manufacturer can void coverage. Always verify your installer is licensed and uses manufacturer-specified installation methods. This is why the DBPR license check matters — see our contractor vetting guide.
6. Losing the Paperwork
A PGT claim must be filed within 30 days of discovering the problem and needs the order number, a description of each product and photos. If your contractor never gave you the closeout documents, ask for them now and register the products at pgtwindows.com.
5. Contractor Workmanship Warranty — What to Demand
The manufacturer warranty covers the product. The workmanship warranty covers the installation. Florida has no mandatory minimum for contractor workmanship warranties — which means you must negotiate one into your contract before signing.
✅ Workmanship Warranty Checklist
Vieser Construction Workmanship Warranty
Every Vieser Construction installation includes a written workmanship warranty covering water infiltration, air leakage, and fastener performance. We also handle PGT warranty registration as part of project closeout, and provide you with the manufacturer warranty documents for all products installed. Call Windows Stock Market at (754) 303-7130 for warranty-related questions on a past installation.
6. Storm Damage Is NOT a Warranty Claim
This surprises many Florida homeowners: impact window warranties do not cover hurricane or storm damage. If a Category 4 hurricane generates debris that cracks or breaks your impact window, that is a homeowners insurance claim — not a manufacturer warranty claim.
| Situation | Warranty Claim? | Insurance Claim? |
|---|---|---|
| Glass fogs up from failed seal | ✅ Yes (manufacturer) | No |
| Hurricane debris breaks the glass | No | ✅ Yes (homeowners) |
| Water leaks through wall around window | ✅ Yes (workmanship) | Maybe (if storm-related) |
| Frame cracks from manufacturing defect | ✅ Yes (manufacturer) | No |
| Window rated DP+50 fails at DP+35 wind | ✅ Document carefully — possible manufacturer defect | File both |
| Lock mechanism breaks from normal use | ✅ Yes (hardware warranty) | No |
Exception — possible warranty claim during a storm: If your impact windows fail at a wind speed significantly below their rated DP value, this could indicate a manufacturing defect. Document the damage with photos, note the date and wind speed from local records, and contact the manufacturer immediately. Do not have the windows repaired before the manufacturer inspects them — that can void any potential defect claim.
7. Warranties, Permits, and Your Insurance Discount
There's a direct link between proper installation, warranty validity, and your ability to claim the wind-mitigation discount Florida law requires insurers to offer on the hurricane-wind portion of your premium — the amount depends on your insurer and your home.
Permit + Inspection Required
Your insurance company requires a closed permit (passed final inspection) to grant the wind mitigation discount. No permit = no discount, regardless of what windows are installed.
Wind Mitigation Inspection
After permit closes, a licensed wind mitigation inspector submits OIR-B1-1802 form to your insurer documenting what was installed. The inspection verifies NOA/FPA numbers and installation method.
Proper Installation Protects Both
Code-compliant installation protects your manufacturer warranty AND qualifies you for the insurance discount. A shortcut installation that skips the permit or uses wrong fasteners can lose you both — costing far more than the installation savings.
Vieser Construction handles this end-to-end: we coordinate the permit, manage the inspection, and provide all documentation your wind mitigation inspector needs for the OIR-B1-1802 form. Learn more about the wind mitigation inspection process and the insurance discount you can expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are impact window warranties transferable to a new homeowner in Florida?▼
It depends on the brand. PGT's current replacement warranty (effective September 1, 2026) is transferable: the original owner who lives in the home gets lifetime frame coverage, and later owners get PGT's 10-Year Limited Warranty, counted from the original delivery date. Each owner must pass the warranty to the next owner at sale. ESW offers transferable limited warranties to subsequent owners within the warranty period. Always confirm transferability before purchasing and ask your contractor to document it.
Does applying window film void the impact window warranty?▼
It can. PGT's warranty excludes conditions caused by alterations, including the application of tints, films, sealant, caulk or paint finishes. Many Florida homeowners add film for solar heat, so get the window manufacturer's written approval before adding any film to an impact window.
What is a workmanship warranty and how long should it last?▼
A workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation itself — proper sealing, flashing, fastener placement, and code compliance. In Florida, reputable contractors offer 1–5 years workmanship warranty. Vieser Construction provides a written workmanship warranty on every project. This is separate from the manufacturer's product warranty.
How do I register my PGT windows warranty?▼
Use the registration form on PGT's warranty page (pgtwindows.com/warranty). PGT says registering simplifies service if you ever need it; its 2026 replacement warranty does not list registration as a condition of coverage. A claim needs the order number, a description of each product and photos, so keep the closeout documents your contractor gives you. If you install PGT through Vieser Construction, we handle warranty registration as part of the project closeout.
Does the impact window warranty cover hurricane damage?▼
Manufacturer warranties cover defects in materials and workmanship — not storm damage. If a Category 5 hurricane breaks your impact window, that's a homeowners insurance claim, not a warranty claim. However, if a window fails below its rated DP value during a storm, that could indicate a manufacturing defect — document it carefully and contact the manufacturer.
What voids an impact window warranty in Florida?▼
Common warranty voiding actions include: improper installation by a non-authorized contractor, applying window film or aftermarket coatings, using harsh chemical cleaners (bleach, solvents), direct contact between aluminum frames and ACQ copper-treated wood, failure to register the warranty, and modifications to the product after installation.
Get Impact Windows With Full Warranty Documentation
Vieser Construction installs PGT WinGuard, ESW, and Mr. Glass with proper permits, warranty registration, and written workmanship coverage. Every installation includes manufacturer warranty documents in your closeout package.
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