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When it comes time to replace the windows in your home, you want to make sure you choose the best option for your needs. Two popular brands of replacement windows are Eastern Architectural and PGT. But which is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare Eastern Architectural and PGT windows side-by-side, looking at factors like hurricane impact resistance, noise reduction, warranties, prices and more. A Brief Comparison Table FactorEastern ArchitecturalPGTImpact ResistanceMeet Miami-Dade protocols most consistentlyMeet Florida and Miami-Dade standards on select seriesNoise ReductionReduce sound by 50-80%Reduce sound by 40-52 decibelsWarrantyLifetime limited, 10 years partsLifetime limited, 10 years partsGlass OptionsAzur low-E, solarban tints, laminatedSolarban tints, laminated, low-E coatingsPrice$350-$700 installed, more for upgrades$350-$700 installed, more for upgradesAppearanceWoodgrain vinyl, sleek aluminumWoodgrain vinyl, sleek aluminumEnergy EfficiencyMeet ENERGY STAR guidelinesMeet and exceed ENERGY STARCustomer ReviewsPositive for impact resistance and noise reductionPositive for quality and impact resistance Overview of Eastern Architectural and PGT First, let's start with a quick overview of each company. Eastern Architectural is a leading manufacturer of windows and doors for coastal regions. They offer vinyl, aluminum and impact-resistant product lines. Their windows feature sturdy construction with fusion-welded corners and stainless steel hardware. Eastern Architectural Windows Eastern Architectural windows are built to withstand extreme weather conditions like hurricanes. The company has 40+ years of experience serving homeowners in storm-prone areas. PGT is another prominent brand in coastal markets like Florida. They manufacture vinyl, aluminum, wood and impact-resistant windows and doors. PGT's impact-resistant products are engineered to meet the most stringent hurricane building codes. Their vinyl windows also feature sturdy vinyl construction and metal reinforcement for strength. PGT has over 35 years of experience making windows and doors designed for harsh coastal conditions. Also Read: Differences Between Green World And Milgard Windows. Key Differences Between Eastern Architectural And PGT Windows Both Eastern Architectural and PGT specialize in windows for homes in hurricane zones. They offer impact-resistant products tested to withstand debris traveling at high speeds. Now let's take a deeper look at how the two brands compare. Hurricane Impact Resistance One of the most important factors when choosing replacement windows for a coastal home is hurricane impact resistance. You want windows that can stand up to extreme wind, pressure and flying debris during powerful storms. Eastern Architectural offers vinyl and aluminum impact-resistant windows. Their hurricane windows are tested to meet standards like the Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade protocols. Eastern Architectural impact windows can withstand debris traveling at up to 80 feet per second. They also feature fused corners and laminated glass for added strength. PGT's impact-resistant windows are tested to meet the same standards. Their WinGuard vinyl and aluminum hurricane windows pass gruelingLarge Missile Impact tests. PGT products can withstand debris traveling at 50-80 feet per second depending on the series. Their windows feature strong framing, laminated glass and structural reinforcements. When it comes to impact resistance, both Eastern Architectural and PGT offer windows robust enough for coastal homes. The highest level products from both brands meet Miami-Dade standards and provide structural integrity to survive dangerous storms and flying debris. Noise Reduction Windows that block outside noise can make a big difference in comfort and livability. Noise reduction is especially important in homes near busy roads or airports. PGT Windows Eastern Architectural touts the noise dampening abilities of their windows. Features like fusion-welded corners, bulb weatherstripping and Intercept spacers enhance soundproofing. Their sound-control windows reduce outside noise by 50-80%. PGT also offers noise-reducing technologies in their vinyl and aluminum windows. Multi-chambered frames, weatherstripping and laminated glass work together to block exterior noise. PGT’s sound control packages can reduce noise by 40-52 decibels depending on the model. Both brands deliver excellent noise reduction for homes in noisy environments. Eastern Architectural seems to have a slight edge in maximum sound dampening capabilities. But PGT still produces very quiet windows. Warranties The warranty coverage is another key consideration when purchasing replacement windows. You want long-term protection on your investment. Eastern Architectural provides a lifetime limited warranty on their windows. This covers defects in materials and workmanship. They also offer 10 years coverage against glass seal failure. Hardware and components are warrantied for 10 years as well. PGT offers similar comprehensive warranties. Their limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects, while components and hardware are covered for 10 years. Insulated glass units also have 10 years coverage. PGT’s warranties are transferable if you sell your home. The warranties offered by Eastern Architectural and PGT are comparable. Both provide long term reassurance that your investment is protected. The coverage lengths and details are very similar between the two brands. Glass Options The type of glass used in the windows impacts aesthetics, durability, energy efficiency and more. Both brands offer a selection of high-performance glass options. Eastern Architectural has choices like azur low-E glass that reflects heat and saves energy. They also offer solarban 60 glass that tints the windows and further reduces solar heat gain. Laminated glass provides impact resistance and sound dampening. Obscure glass gives privacy. Eastern Architectural allows you to customize the ideal glass package for your home. PGT's glass options include solarban 60, solarban 70 and azurlite tinted glass. They also have options like obscure and tempered glass. PGT utilizes laminated glass layers for hurricane impact resistance and noise reduction. Low-E coatings are available to boost efficiency. Homeowners can mix and match glass types to suit their needs. When it comes to glass selection, Eastern Architectural and PGT again offer very similar choices. Both provide energy efficient low-E glass, solar heat blocking tints, laminated hurricane glass and more. Customization is available through both brands. Price and Installation Cost Of course, price plays a role when investing in new windows for your home. In terms of upfront window costs, Eastern Architectural and PGT are fairly comparable. However, overall project costs also depend on contractor installation fees. PGT Replacement Windows For basic vinyl models, Eastern Architectural and PGT are similarly priced in the $350 - $700 range per window installed. More complex designs, custom sizes, impact resistance and other options can drive costs higher. Unique home configurations may also increase the installation price. To keep window costs affordable, both brands offer promotions and specials seasonally. They also provide homeowners with resources to estimate project pricing for their specific property. Getting quotes from multiple installation contractors is recommended as well. This can give you a better picture of total upgrade costs with new windows. Overall, Eastern Architectural and PGT are priced competitively with one another in the replacement window market. The total expenses will depend on factors unique to each home. Visual Appearance Windows are a focal point of any home's curb appeal and interior design. Assessing the visual appearance is an important part of choosing replacements. Eastern Architectural windows come in a range of styles from traditional to contemporary. Their vinyl windows mimic wood grain while remaining low maintenance. Aluminum frames have a sleeker metallic appearance. Colors like bronze and beige are available. Divided light options create a multi-pane look. PGT offers similar diverse styles from colonial to craftsman. Vinyl retaining the look of wood and sleek aluminum frames are both options. Various color choices are available to match your home's aesthetic. Divided light grids provide traditional multi-pane appeal. With customization from both brands, you can achieve virtually any desired look from antique to modern. Homeowners report being pleased with the visual quality of windows from both Eastern Architectural and PGT. Also Read: Comparison of Marvin And Sunrise Windows. HVAC Efficiency Replacing outdated inefficient windows with new energy efficient models can make your home more comfortable and affordable to cool and heat. Eastern Architectural windows promote energy savings in a number of ways. Their dual-pane glass with Intercept spacers slows heat transfer. Low-E coatings reduce solar heat gain and prevent indoor heat loss. Vinyl and aluminum frames also deter conductivity. As a result, Eastern Architectural windows meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. PGT also manufactures windows that exceed ENERGY STAR standards. Technologies like low-E glass, insulated frames and improved weatherstripping boost efficiency. Homeowners can expect to see reductions in monthly energy bills after installing properly sized PGT windows. Both Eastern Architectural and PGT make windows that improve HVAC efficiency through better insulation. Homeowners report energy savings after upgrading to new windows from either brand. Customer Reviews Looking at customer feedback is helpful when comparing two brands. Overall, homeowners report being satisfied with the performance, value and appearance of windows purchased from both companies. Eastern Architectural earns positive reviews for quality construction, especially impact resistance. Customers praise the durability of these windows in coastal weather. Complaints are few, mainly limited to individual installation issues. Most report the noise reduction capabilities also work well. PGT buyers describe the windows as attractive and solidly built. Impact resistance earns consistent compliments in hurricane regions. Customers mention PGT windows stand up well to weather extremes, winds, heavy rain and flying debris. Like with Eastern Architectural, most complaints relate to unique contractor errors rather than product defects. Both Eastern Architectural and PGT receive largely favorable feedback from homeowners who have purchased their windows. The window quality and performance of both brands satisfy the majority of customers. Key Takeaways: Eastern Architectural vs PGT Windows Impact resistance meeting Miami-Dade standards makes both brands suitable for hurricane-prone homes. Noise reduction technologies allow both companies’ windows to significantly decrease exterior sounds. Warranties from Eastern Architectural and PGT are similar and offer long-term coverage. There is extensive glass customization available through both brands. Prices and installation costs are competitive between the two brands. Visual styles and aesthetics can be matched to any home design. Homeowners report energy efficiency improvements after installing either brand. Customer reviews indicate satisfaction with both Eastern Architectural and PGT products. When comparing Eastern Architectural vs PGT windows, there are many similarities between the two manufacturers. Key factors like structural integrity, noise dampening, styles and warranties are comparable. Overall quality and performance also satisfy homeowners in reviews of both brands. The better option comes down to your unique needs and preferences: If pursuing the absolute highest impact rating is crucial, Eastern Architectural reaches Miami-Dade TAS 201/203 standards most consistently. Those prioritizing the maximum noise reduction may favor Eastern Architectural windows capable of 50-80% decrease. PGT can be a smart choice for coastal homes needing storm protection at a more affordable price point. Homeowners wanting a wider selection of woodgrain vinyl finishes may prefer PGT. PGT offers more versatility installing new windows over existing window frames. Those needing to match a unique size or dimensions may have better luck with PGT's flexible options. Also Read: Comparison of Wallside And Weather Guard Windows. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is ESW better than PGT? There is no definitive "better" option between ESW (Eastern Architectural) and PGT windows. Both brands offer excellent products that provide impact resistance, noise reduction, overall quality and aesthetic appeal. ESW windows meet the highest Miami-Dade impact standards most consistently. What are the strongest impact windows for hurricanes? The strongest impact-resistant windows for hurricane-prone homes are those meeting the Miami-Dade TAS 201/203 protocol. This includes the top tiers from brands like Eastern Architectural, PGT, WinGuard, CGI, YKK AP and more. What are the benefits of PGT windows? Some of the main benefits of PGT windows include:1. Impact resistance meeting the most stringent codes including Miami-Dade2. Effective noise reduction using technologies like laminated glass3. Insulated frames that enhance energy efficiency4. Comprehensive warranties and transfers if you sell your home5. Aesthetic styles from traditional to modern6. Affordable pricing for a coastal impact window7. Positive feedback from homeowners regarding quality8. Ability to install over existing window frames9. Flexible custom sizing options What hurricane rating is PGT? PGT offers windows with several different hurricane impact ratings based on testing against wind pressure and debris velocity. Their WinGuard line meets Florida Building Code protocols for basic hurricane resistance. WinGuard SI and WinGuard Vinyl lines are impact tested to meet South Florida codes. What are the benefits of Eastern Architectural windows? The benefits of ESW windows include:1. Superior noise reduction blocking 50-80% of sound2. Consistently meeting Miami-Dade impact standards3. Structural upgrades like fused frame corners4. Low-E glass and other energy efficiency features5. Lifetime warranty plus 10 years on components6. Coastal-tested durability and longevity7. Range of styles from traditional to modern8. Various color and finish options9. Divided light grids provide multi-pane aesthetic10. Positive feedback on wind and impact resistance Final Thoughts Carefully weigh the factors above against your home's needs. Consult with both Eastern Architectural and PGT to request quotes and get help deciding. Choosing the right replacement windows is a big investment. Ensure you take the time to pick the ideal windows for your property and climate.