Find answers and general porch window information quickly

Great design starts with the right questions. Here are a few we recommend thinking through early:

• How do I want to use this space — spring/fall only, or most of the year?
• Do I want clear views, or is privacy more important?
• Will sun exposure be an issue at certain times of day?
• Do I want the flexibility to open the windows fully, or mostly keep them closed?
• Are there height or safety requirements for my porch (like fall protection)?
• Do I want consistency across all walls, or am I okay mixing window types?

Answering these upfront helps avoid redesigns later and ensures the finished space works the way you expect.

Glass windows are not the best option to enclose your porch for the following reasons:

• Traditional windows are not built for spaces without climate control.
• They lack the functionality to save the outdoor feel of a porch.
• And, they can be expensive and complex to install.

Xtend Porch Windows are made intentionally to hit the middle ground. Our customers are looking for something that is going to allow them to maintain that screened-in porch feel – like an outdoor room – and also give protection when they want to keep out the rain, snow, dust, and wind.

If your porch is more than 30" off the ground, building code dictates that some type of fall protection needs to be implemented. Always consult your local building official as interpretations can vary by municipality.

When it comes to safety, functionality, and style, you have several options with Xtend Porch Windows!

We can assist you with the design and construction details if you are already working with another builder, or we can recommend a builder that is familiar with our products. Either way, we are glad to help.

Without the protection of windows, porch screens can become quite loose over time due to wind, harsh weather, and other factors, regardless of how well (or tight) they were installed.

Xtend porch windows come with screen material installed in the system. We are able to use lighter material because the windows protect the screens from wind damage. This material creates better visibility and maintains an outdoor feel.

Rather than investing in replacement material (and your time) each and every year, consider a lifelong investment to enclose your porch, extend its use, and enjoy more time in your outdoor space rather than maintaining it.

Xtend Porch Windows were created after years of firsthand experience installing other porch window systems. Our founder spent over a decade as a dealer for a major manufacturer and saw the same issues again and again — warping tracks, broken hardware, difficult installs, and unhappy homeowners.
When no better option existed, we built one. Xtend is the result of real-world lessons learned on actual job sites, designed from the ground up to be stronger, simpler, and more installer-friendly — without changing the familiar look homeowners want.

Xtend Porch Windows are designed and manufactured by Porch Windows Direct. We are not a dealer reselling someone else’s product — we build Xtend ourselves based on years of hands-on installation experience.

All Xtend Porch Windows are made in Bloomington, Minnesota, and because we manufacture them in-house, we control the materials, construction, and quality from start to finish. No shortcuts, no substitutions, and no finger-pointing if there’s ever a question.

If you’re in the area, we’d love to give you a tour of our shop. We’re genuinely proud of our facility — and even more proud of the people who put the care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail into every window we build.

In short, you’re buying directly from the people who design, build, and stand behind Xtend Porch Windows — not a middleman.

Xtend Porch Windows were designed by installers — not engineers sitting behind a desk. After 15 years of installing other systems, we knew exactly what caused callbacks, frustration, and failures in the field. Xtend was built to solve those problems.
What that means for you: no springs or moving parts to break, equal-width panels for a cleaner look, stronger sash corners, smoother operation, and a system that installs cleaner and faster. Same idea as traditional 4-track porch windows — just thoughtfully modernized.

Yes. Our windows are custom-made to fit into existing openings, so they are perfect for upgrading your current structure.  We insist on a perfect fit and a worry-free installation.

Yes, our porch windows are weathertight — as long as you close them. Once the windows are closed, your 3-season porch will be sealed to the elements and will stay clean and dry on the inside. Xtend Porch Windows are designed to withstand the frigid conditions we get here in the Upper Midwest.

Yes!  All of our Xtend Porch windows come with full exterior screen- it is replaceable, but not removable.  We use only the highest quality screen standard - not as an upgrade.

Very little. There are no springs, balances, or moving mechanisms to fail. Cleaning is simple — panels lift out easily for access, and the vinyl glazing is flexible and impact-resistant. Screens can be replaced just like a standard window screen if ever needed.

All Xtend Porch Windows are custom-built to your opening sizes, in 1/8" increments. This allows for a cleaner fit, better appearance, and smoother installation — especially on older homes where openings aren’t perfectly square.

Xtend windows can be mulled to other Xtend windows horizontally for wide openings. They are not mulled directly to doors or fixed glass, but those components can be planned alongside the windows for a clean, consistent layout.

Xtend Porch Windows use marine-grade vinyl, the same material used in Jeep and Bronco soft tops. It’s designed to live outdoors, flex with temperature changes, and handle sun, wind, and weather without becoming brittle.

The vinyl is UV-stable and tensioned for clarity, so it won’t yellow or turn gray. Like any exterior surface, keeping it clean helps maintain clarity, but this is not a material that becomes cloudy or chalky over time like lower-grade plastics can.

And if the vinyl ever has an issue — for any reason — we stand behind it. If it gets damaged, worn, or something unexpected happens (life happens), we’ll provide a replacement at no cost. The vinyl glazing is covered by our lifetime warranty and can be replaced similar to a screen, without replacing the entire window.

Great question — and it comes down to doing things right the first time.

Fixed units are often used where fall protection is required, typically when the floor is 30 inches or more above grade. In those situations, building codes usually require a rigid, impact-rated barrier. Flexible vinyl glazing — while excellent for operable porch windows — is not intended to serve that role.

We’ve also learned through experience that using flexible materials in fixed openings often leads to long-term maintenance issues. Fixed panels are harder to access, harder to service, and not something homeowners want to revisit years down the road. Even a great material can become a headache when it’s locked into a rigid shape and installed in a hard-to-reach location.

That’s why Xtend fixed units use tempered safety glass. It provides the strength, rigidity, and durability required for safety, while eliminating the maintenance concerns that can come with flexible materials in fixed applications.

Vinyl glazing is outstanding where it’s meant to be used — in operable windows that are accessible, removable, and easy to service. Fixed openings have a different job, and we design accordingly.

You have the option to install your own Xtend Porch Windows if you'd prefer to opt-out of professional installation. We can guide you through the process of measuring and ordering along with tips on achieving a successful installation. 

If you are going to install yourself, and these are final measurements, then follow the guidelines below:

• First, number the window openings going around the perimeter of your porch clockwise. The windows will be labeled in this order when they arrive. 
  
  
• Second, make sure that you have a flat surface on the outside to attach the windows through the 1” window flange. If you don’t have a flat surface of at least 1” around the perimeter of the openings, then additional framing will be required. 
  
  
• Third, record the width and height measurements of each opening by checking in multiple places and looking for the smallest number. 

We typically make the window units ¼” smaller in width and height from the opening to allow for clearance. 

Here is a video to help you as well.

If you live in the Twin Cities metro area, you have the option to have your windows installed by Porch Windows Direct professional installers. With professional installation, we will come out to do a site inspection and get the final measurements for placing the order. If there are any issues with the preparation of the window openings, we can address that in advance and offer solutions to make the installation go smoothly. 

Not in the Twin Cities area?  No problems - we can help lead you through the process from measure to install.  

Our windows can be shipped pretty much anywhere- the majority go to the Continental US.

Xtend windows come as a complete installation system, not just loose parts. Every order includes:

• Fully assembled custom windows built to your opening sizes
• Integrated screen (standard on operable units)
• Pre-drilled frames for easier installation
• Color-matched installation screws
• Sealant where required
• Installation instructions and support if questions come up

No hunting for extra hardware. No surprise add-ons.

Xtend windows are designed to be installer-friendly. Contractors regularly tell us they’re easier to install than other porch window systems because everything lines up, nothing fights you, and there are no mechanical parts to adjust.
For experienced DIYers, installation is very manageable with basic tools and careful measuring. For larger projects or multi-unit installs, we recommend working with a contractor — but either way, Xtend removes a lot of the frustration found in older systems.

All Xtend Porch Windows are custom-built to your opening sizes, in 1/8" increments. This allows for a cleaner fit, better appearance, and smoother installation — especially on older homes where openings aren’t perfectly square.