Picture Impact Windows
Picture impact windows are fixed windows that do not open, built to give you the largest possible area of clear glass. They are the go-to choice for framing water, pool, and yard views. Storm Pro Window and Door custom sizes each one with laminated impact glass and a vinyl or aluminum frame.
What Is a Picture Window?
A picture window is one large pane in a frame with no sashes, hinges, or tracks. Because nothing moves, the frame stays minimal and no meeting rail cuts across the view.
With no operating hardware, there are also fewer places for air and water to get through.
Choosing Picture Impact Windows
Where a picture window makes sense, how to handle ventilation and egress, and the frame and glass choices that matter most.
Where Do Picture Impact Windows Make Sense?
Larger glass generally means higher design pressure demands, especially on waterfront homes and upper floors. Storm Pro matches each picture window to the rating required for its size and location.
Picture impact windows belong wherever the view matters more than airflow:
Living and great rooms
Facing the pool, lanai, or water
Stairwells and entries
Where a large fixed window brings in daylight
Dining rooms
Where the window is a backdrop
What About Ventilation and Egress?
Picture windows provide light and views but no airflow, and they cannot serve as a bedroom emergency escape opening. When a room needs both, combine a picture window with operable units:
In bedrooms, at least one opening must meet Florida Building Code egress rules.
Picture Window Options
Frames
Vinyl, or aluminum for a slimmer frame and more glass
Glass
Laminated impact glass, Low-E coatings, and argon fill
Tint
Tinted glass for glare on west-facing walls
Grids
Optional applied or between-the-glass grids, or none for a clear view
Colors
Custom options to match your home
Sizes
Custom built within each product’s approved size limits
Why Does Glass Choice Matter on a Picture Window?
Picture impact windows let in a lot of light, and in Florida that also means heat. West- and south-facing picture windows can warm a room fast in the afternoon. Low-E coatings reflect much of that heat while keeping the view clear, and the laminated interlayer filters UV that fades floors and furniture. Compare options on our energy efficient impact windows page.
Installation and Care
How our in-house crew handles large picture windows, and how to keep the glass looking its best.
How Does Storm Pro Install Large Picture Windows?
Big fixed units are heavy, so our in-house crew plans handling and access before install day. We confirm the approved size and design pressure for each opening before ordering, then anchor the frame exactly as its product approval requires. We will never install into rotted or structurally unsound framing.
We secure the permit, protect your floors, and clean up before we leave. See our impact window installation process.
- Handling and access planned before install day
- Approved size and design pressure confirmed before ordering
- Frame anchored exactly per its product approval
- Permit secured, floors protected, site cleaned up
How Do You Care for a Picture Window?
With no moving parts, picture impact windows are the easiest to maintain. Clean the glass with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner and wipe the frame a few times a year, more often near salt water.
- No moving parts to maintain
- Clean glass with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner
- Wipe the frame a few times a year
- More often near salt water
Frequently Asked Questions
Can picture windows be impact rated in large sizes?
Yes, within the limits of each product’s Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA, which you can look up on the Florida Building Commission website. Larger sizes usually need products with higher design pressure capacity, especially near the coast. We confirm each opening’s approved size before ordering.
Do picture impact windows let in too much heat?
They can on west- or south-facing walls without the right glass. Low-E coatings and, where available, tinted glass reduce solar heat gain while keeping the view. Compare the SHGC value on the NFRC label, where lower numbers mean less solar heat.
Should I add grids to a picture window?
That is your call. Many homeowners skip grids on view windows for a clear look, while others add them to match the rest of the home. Between-the-glass grids keep both glass surfaces flat and easy to clean.
Can I replace an older picture window without changing the opening?
Usually, yes. Every Storm Pro window is custom made to fit the existing opening. We inspect the frame and surrounding structure first, and we will not install into rotted or structurally unsound framing.