Picture & Fixed Windows

Picture & Fixed Windows in West Palm Beach, FL | Winslow Windows & Doors

Picture and fixed windows give you the view without the moving parts. These are non-operable laminated impact glass panels built for Florida’s hurricane season, and they’re one of the most requested profiles we install in West Palm Beach. Homeowners choose them when they want a wide, unobstructed sightline across the Intracoastal, a golf course, or their own backyard, without the hardware and tracks that come with sliding or casement units. Winslow Windows & Doors supplies and installs these across our PGT, CGI, CWS, ES Windows, ECO, and Mr-Glass lines. Call (561) 660-9539 to talk through sizes and glass packages for your home.

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Product Overview - Picture & Fixed Windows

A picture window is exactly what it sounds like: a fixed pane of glass that frames a view and never opens. In West Palm Beach, that simplicity is a structural advantage. No sashes, no rollers, no hinges means fewer points where wind-driven rain can get in and fewer components that can fail under repeated pressure cycling. The glass itself is laminated impact glass with a PVB interlayer, the same category of glazing required for HVHZ-rated openings throughout Palm Beach County. When a window doesn’t need to operate, this fixed profile delivers the strongest, cleanest, and most cost-effective way to bring in light. We regularly pair large fixed panels with operable units on either side, a vented picture arrangement, so you keep the view and still get cross-breeze when the weather’s good. Architecturally, picture windows anchor living rooms, stair landings, second-floor hallways, and any elevation facing water. They work in contemporary flat-roof homes in El Cid, 1920s Mission Revival houses in Flamingo Park, and new construction throughout West Palm Beach. The frame materials and glass packages are selected to match the wind zone, not just the aesthetic, which is why we configure every project rather than selling a one-size-fits-all product.

Technical Specifications

We configure picture and fixed windows from these options, depending on your elevation, exposure, and architectural style in West Palm Beach:

• Frame materials: Aluminum or vinyl, chosen for the project’s wind zone and finish requirements
• Maximum size: Up to 120 inches wide, subject to design pressure and glass package
• Glass options: Laminated impact glass with PVB interlayer, Low-E insulated glass, tinted glass, clear glass
• Finish options: White, almond, bronze, black, tan
• Operation: Fixed, non-operable; commonly flanked by operable windows or a door
• Glazing configuration: Single or multi-panel assemblies depending on width and structural requirements

Because these are fixed units, the framing can be slimmer than what you’d see on an operable window of comparable size. That maximizes glass area and sightline, which is the whole point of a picture window. The trade-off is that you give up ventilation at that opening, which is why the pairing with casements, awnings, or sliders matters in Florida’s climate.

Hurricane & Compliance Performance

Laminated Impact Glass
The core of this window is laminated impact glass with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer. If a storm throws debris at the pane, the glass may crack, but the interlayer holds the fragments in the frame. The opening stays sealed. That’s the fundamental difference between an impact window and standard annealed glass, and it’s non-negotiable for HVHZ construction in West Palm Beach.

Miami-Dade NOA / Florida Product Approval
Every configuration carries a Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance) or Florida Product Approval number. These are issued per configuration, meaning the exact size, frame, and glass package you select has its own approval document. We verify the applicable number on your quote so your permit submittal is clean.

FBC / HVHZ Compliance
The product is engineered to Florida Building Code (FBC) High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements. That’s the stricter of Florida’s two wind codes, and it governs West Palm Beach and the rest of Palm Beach County. Windows that pass elsewhere in Florida don’t necessarily meet HVHZ standards here.

TAS 201 / 202 / 203 Testing Context
HVHZ-rated products are tested under the TAS protocol family: TAS 201 for large-missile impact, TAS 202 for cyclic wind-pressure loading, and TAS 203 for forced-entry resistance. These three tests together simulate what a hurricane actually does to a window, impact, then repeated pressure cycles, then attempted entry through a damaged unit.

Design Pressure for Your Wind Zone
Design pressures are matched to your wind zone, up to +/-100, never higher. We don’t oversell a DP rating you don’t need, and we won’t under-spec one you do. Wind zones vary by property in West Palm Beach, even within the same neighborhood, so the DP number is determined per opening.

Energy Performance
Low-E and insulated glass options are available for energy performance. In a fixed window, where you’re not sacrificing anything for operability, upgrading to Low-E insulated glass is often the best dollar-for-dollar efficiency decision on the whole window package. Tinted glass is also available where glare is a concern on western exposures.

Color & Glass Options

Finish selection in West Palm Beach usually comes down to the home’s architectural language. White and almond remain the most common choices for traditional Florida ranch homes and older Mediterranean-style houses from the 1950s through the 1980s. Bronze and black frames read as more contemporary and have gained traction in new construction along Flagler Drive and in neighborhoods like SoSo and Grandview Heights. Tan works well on stucco exteriors where a pure white frame would look too stark against a warm beige wall.

On the glass side, clear laminated impact glass is the baseline: it gives you the truest color rendering of the view. Low-E insulated glass adds an invisible metallic coating that reflects heat while letting light through, which matters when that fixed window faces east over the water with morning sun, or west with the full afternoon load. Tinted glass cuts visible light transmission and glare, useful for large fixed panels on unshaded southern elevations. Because these are fixed units, you can use larger expanses of Low-E or tinted glass without worrying about hardware compatibility or added sash weight, making the energy upgrade simpler than it is on operable windows.

Installation by Winslow Windows & Doors in West Palm Beach

Nobody sees the installation until it fails, but it’s the difference between a window system that performs to its NOA and one that doesn’t. We install every picture and fixed window per AAMA 2400/2410 practice, which covers the flashing, anchoring, and integration with the surrounding wall assembly. The perimeter seal uses AAMA 812 low-expansion foam, which fills the gap between the frame and the rough opening without bowing or distorting the frame. That’s a detail that gets skipped on rushed jobs and shows up later as water intrusion or air leakage.

Our process on a fixed window installation in West Palm Beach starts with a pre-install inspection of the opening. We check the rough opening dimensions, the condition of the surrounding sheathing and water-resistive barrier, and any sign of prior leakage. Then we set the unit level, plumb, and square, shim where needed, and anchor it per the approved installation method for that configuration. Foam perimeter seal, exterior flashing, interior trim, and a final water test on the exterior plane follow. Cleanup is part of the job, not an afterthought.

For West Palm Beach specifically, we’re working in a coastal exposure environment with higher wind zones and stricter permitting than most of the state. Building departments in Palm Beach County require the NOA or Florida Product Approval submittal to match the exact product going in. If a window is installed incorrectly, the approval means nothing, because the tested assembly includes the anchoring method. That’s why professional installation matters more for impact windows than for ordinary replacement windows. You’re buying a system, not just a pane of glass.

Frequently Asked Questions - Picture & Fixed Windows

What wind zone or design pressure is the Picture & Fixed Window rated for?
Design pressures are matched to your specific wind zone, up to +/-100, never higher. The required DP for your property depends on your location in West Palm Beach, the building height, and the opening’s exposure. We confirm the number on your quote, and it’s tied to the NOA for that exact configuration. Call (561) 660-9539 and we’ll pull the right spec for your address.

What is the lead time for picture and fixed windows?
Lead times vary by manufacturer and configuration. PGT, CGI, CWS, ES Windows, ECO, and Mr-Glass all run different schedules, and custom sizes or specialty glass add time. We give you a realistic window at the quote stage so you can plan your project around it. Call (561) 660-9539 for a current timeline on the size and glass package you need.

Does a picture window require a Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval submittal for my permit?
Yes. In West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County, your permit package needs the NOA or Florida Product Approval document that matches the exact size, frame, and glass combination being installed. We provide that submittal documentation with every project so your permit doesn’t stall at the building department. A quote from us includes the approval numbers applicable to your configuration.

Can I customize the size or configuration of a picture window?
Yes, within structural limits. The maximum width is 120 inches, and the final size depends on the design pressure required at that opening. We also pair fixed panels with operable windows or doors in custom arrangements. If you want a specific width or an unusual aspect ratio, we’ll check it against the NOA before we quote it. Call (561) 660-9539 to discuss what will work on your wall.

How do I maintain the frame on a fixed window?
Fixed windows need less maintenance than any operating window because there are no tracks, rollers, or hinges to clean and lubricate. Wash the glass with a mild non-abrasive cleaner, rinse the frame, and keep the perimeter seal free of debris. The exterior finish on aluminum or vinyl frames doesn’t require painting. If you notice condensation between panes on an insulated glass unit, call us to assess the seal. Routine care takes minutes a month, and the window will look the same in ten years as it does the day we install it.

Written by the team at Winslow Windows & Doors, West Palm Beach’s hurricane-impact window and door specialist.

Get a Quote - Picture & Fixed Windows in West Palm Beach

If you’re planning a picture window installation in West Palm Beach, start with a measurement and a conversation. We’ll assess your opening, confirm the right design pressure and NOA for your configuration, and put together a line-item quote for the frame, glass package, and installation. Call (561) 660-9539 to schedule your free on-site measurement.