In Florida, there are countless companies that offer window and door replacement services for different manufacturers. However, which window and door manufacturers should you count on when it’s time to protect your home against hurricanes, enhance energy efficiency, and enhance your home’s curb appeal?
There are many different companies that offer products in the Florida market, but not all of them are created equally. In fact, some are so poor that it’s amazing to us that anyone willingly chooses to work with them.
As we go into the final months of 2025 and prepare for 2026, let’s go over some of the window and door manufacturers in Florida and rate them based on how well they meet the needs of Florida homeowners:
Window and Door Manufacturers: ES Windows
Starting at the bottom of the barrel, let’s discuss ES Windows. Previously, we compared the performance of their windows against Simonton’s Windows… a comparison that was most unfavorable to ES Windows.
What Is ES Windows?
ES Windows is a company that started their existence in 1984 as “an artisanal solar heaters” (or was it March of 1983? Their ‘About Us’ page gives two different dates) business that eventually got involved in the production of aluminum windows a few years after their founding.
They’ve been trying to expand into the Florida market for years. In 2016, the company was bought out by Technoglass, being rebranded to ES from Energia Solar.
How Are Their Windows?
Not great. Their biggest competitive draw is their pricing on their most basic window models. However, they do have a line of aluminum impact windows that, on paper, are more than tough enough to withstand hurricane conditions. They’ve even earned the Miami-Dade County Seal of Approval on their aluminum impact windows line.
However, because they’re aluminum windows, they aren’t a great fit for homes on or within wind distance of the water. Salty ocean air corrodes metal surprisingly fast once the coating starts to wear out, leading to compromised windows.
Their warranty is, frankly, not great, either. The timeline for the warranty on their parts for missing or damaged pieces is ludicrously tight. Per their own FAQs page: “missing or damaged parts must be reported upon delivery and up to 24h after. Delivery makes reference to the Delivery Date to our authorized distributor, not to the final customer.”
Yeah, the countdown on a 1-DAY reporting timeline begins when the windows arrive at the installer’s warehouse, not your home. If the installer’s inventory of the new product is delayed for a day, you’re out of luck.
In our experience, they aren’t worth your time and money. They don’t even appear in Modernize’s list of top window brands at all.
Window and Door Manufacturers: EAS Windows
Eastern Architectural Systems, or EAS, is the next window manufacturer on our list. Not to be confused with ES Windows, EAS Windows is another choice for the ‘budget-conscious’ buyer.
Who Are EAS Windows?
EAS is a window manufacturer brand that boasts “Made in USA Certified” windows using “the highest quality aluminum alloys, vinyl, and glass” according to their ‘About Us’ page. They fall under the Cornerstone Building Brands umbrella, alongside a bevy of other window & door manufacturers like Cascade, Harvey, Ply Gem, and Simonton.
How Are Their Windows?
EAS boasts that everything they “make is custom made by craftsman [sic].” Yes. Craftsman singular, not craftsmen plural. We’ll assume that’s a typo not indicative of the thoroughness of their product testing or that they’re saying a single person is working their manufacturing line.
Also, the link pointing to their video on their product testing seems to be pointing to a YouTube video that is currently unavailable, having been taken private.
When we compared Eastern Architectural System’s windows to PGT’s products, EAS came out looking worse for the comparison. They advertise a lot of big numbers, but don’t have as many current testing numbers to verify it.
Also, their energy performance, even for their ‘energy efficiency’ Bertha product line, doesn’t always meet ENERGY STAR v7.0 standards.
If you want tough, energy-efficient windows, look elsewhere!
Window and Door Manufacturers: CWS Windows
Now we’re getting into the real staples of ‘budget’ window brands that are more frequently chosen by consumers in different parts of Florida. CWS, or Custom Window Systems, is notable for its affordability and even has some good product lines designed for the Florida market.
They even made Modernize’s list of the best impact window brands of 2025.
Who Are CWS Windows?
CWS is a subsidiary of Pella Windows that’s based in Florida. The company was founded in 1986 and was acquired by Highlander Partners in 2012, then by Pella in 2019. Pella’s acquisition was done, according to Pella’s own press release, with the goal of enhancing “penetration in the large and growing Florida area.” Largely fueled by CWS’ large existing manufacturing facilities in Florida.
How Are Their Windows?
When we compared CWS windows vs PGT windows, we noted that their on-paper stats were good enough, but had concerns about the long-term viability of their windows. The issue is that they use additives in their PVC formula. In fact, they proudly advertise that they do so.
Some of the additives they advertise include:
- “Stabilizer” (no explanation of what the stabilizer is or how it works)
- “Lubricant” (again, no explanation of how it works, as lubricant typically wears off after repeated use)
- “Acrylic Modifier”
- “Process Aid”
- Calcium Carbonate
- Titanium Dioxide (An active ingredient in sunscreen)
The stated goal is to minimize color change, but color us dubious about those claims.
The problem with this is that additives plasticize PVC and may impair its long-term viability and durability, requiring replacement.
Pure PVC vinyl is tougher and more chemically stable than adulterated PVC—an issue that CWS isn’t alone in having.
Overall, they’re a decent discount brand, but don’t hold a candle to some of the brands that focus more on proven technology and conducting more thorough product testing.
Window and Door Manufacturers: Andersen Windows
Andersen is a nationally-recognized brand of windows, particularly in the northern parts of the USA where their products are more common. They’ve built a strong reputation for quality and have a price tag to match the “ideal for luxury homes” reputation.
What Is Andersen Windows in Florida?
Okay, the big thing to know about Andersen is that, in Florida, you aren’t actually dealing with the famous brand name from the Northern USA. You’re dealing with a subsidiary called Renewal by Andersen.
Renewal by Andersen carries a different line of products from their parent company called the “Acclaim” line of windows.
How Are Their Windows?
Andersen prides itself on having high-quality products and are commensurately expensive to match. They’re a premium-grade product for high-end homes.
However, there’s an issue with their windows. A big one. They use adulterated vinyl. Andersen advertises that their composite vinyl is twice as strong as plain vinyl. However, testing data doesn’t bear out the claim.
Documentation about Fibrex (the composite material Andersen uses that combines wood shavings with vinyl) shows that the modulus or stiffness of the material is twice as high as pure vinyl (830,000 Temperature PSI vs 400,000 temperature PSI), but the actual ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the material is 38 megapascals (MPa) in the extrusion direction and 26 MPa in the cross-extrusion direction… or 5,500 PSI and 3,800 PSI, respectively.
Pure vinyl resin, on the other hand, has an ultimate tensile strength of 51.7 MPa (7,500 PSI). Chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) has a UTS of 56.5 MPa (8,200 PSI).
So, Fibrex is stiffer than pure, unadulterated PVC, but that doesn’t make it stronger than PVC. In fact, that brittleness and inflexibility might be a liability during a major storm. Even absent wind pressure stresses, the wood in Fibrex will be more prone to decay than vinyl, despite being coated in PVC.
Other Andersen products heavily feature wood which, while solid, isn’t ideal for use in Florida—especially near the coastline where humidity is high.
Window and Door Manufacturers: Simonton
Simonton is one of the best window brands in Florida, hands down. They have a variety of products suitable for the Florida market rated to withstand extreme wind conditions and use unadulterated PVC in their StormBreaker line of products.
Who Is Simonton?
Simonton is a company that first started in 1946 and entered the vinyl windows market as a way to differentiate themselves from the competition back in the 1980’s. They’re a top-rated brand by organizations like Builder Magazine, earning the coveted #1 rating in the “Highest Overall Quality Vinyl Windows Category” of the publication’s study multiple times.
How Are Their Windows?
Full disclosure: Simonton is one of the top two window brands that we work with. And for a good reason!
They’re a top-quality manufacturer with great window and door products for the Florida market. Their vinyl windows from the StormBreaker Plus line are all perfect for any Florida home.
Why? Because they use pure, unadulterated vinyl without additives, have a high overall build quality, and make windows rated to take the pressure of hurricane conditions in Florida. Their impact windows more than meet the standards for HVHZ zones like Miami-Dade and Broward County.
Additionally, they offer AAMA Gold Label-certified windows that have been extensively tested to meet durability, reliability, and energy efficiency testing standards that rank among the most stringent in the industry.
If you go to the FGIA website (the organization that currently oversees AAMA certification) and search for windows that meet the Residential performance class requirements, Simonton’s windows appear at the top of the list!
We eagerly recommend this window brand, especially considering how easy their warranty process is to work with whenever there does happen to be any kind of issue with their windows, which is incredibly rare.
Window and Door Manufacturers: PGT Windows
When discussing the ‘big dogs’ in the Florida fenestration industry, PGT is the other big name that comes up a lot. If you go ‘window shopping’ in Florida, odds are that you’ll hear about or see a PGT impact WinGuard brand window sooner rather than later.
Who Are PGT Windows?
PGT Windows was founded in 1980 as ‘VinylTech’ in Venice, Florida. They’ve been steeped in the Florida market for over 40 years and are obsessive when it comes to product testing. They have one of the best, most dedicated product testing teams in the entire fenestration industry.
They have a large catalog of HVHZ-certified products listed in the Miami-Dade Notice of Approval database because of their constant dedication to having their products vetted for every qualification under the sun.
How Are Their Windows?
When it comes to energy efficiency, reliability, and impact resistance, PGT has the testing data to back up all of their quality claims and they make a very high-quality product.
We often recommend them to our customers and work with PGT frequently to install energy-efficient glass doors and windows throughout Tampa Bay. When properly installed and cared for, their windows are extremely high quality for the price and effective for holding back hurricane-force winds and rain.
Who’s the Best Window and Door Manufacturer in Florida?
Okay, so of all the window and door manufacturers we’ve discussed throughout this post, who’s the best? It’s a close call, while the first couple we mentioned were not companies we’d generally recommend unless your budget was drier than the Sahara Desert, the last few are all high-quality brands.
For warranty support, Simonton is the top choice in the industry. They’re easy to work with and their warranty is even transferable if you ever sell your home to a new buyer—which can be a huge selling point!
For reliability and testing, PGT can’t be beat. They test their windows and doors relentlessly to ensure they meet or exceed your needs in Florida and are steeped in the local market. They know what it takes to make a superior product for Floridians, by Floridians.
You can’t really go wrong with either Simonton or PGT.
Looking for new impact windows for your home? Get an in-home window installation assessment and quote for service from Karoly! We’ll send an experienced window technician out to your home to check your current windows, take measurements, and consult with you about your needs before providing one of the most accurate window installation quotes in the industry!
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
