EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track Windows: 12 Questions Answered by a St. Louis Screen Expert
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track Windows: 12 Questions Answered by a St. Louis Screen Expert
If you enjoy spending time on your screened porch but wish you could protect it from wind, rain, and cooler temperatures, EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows may be an excellent solution.
Unlike traditional glass windows, EZE-Breeze uses lightweight, flexible vinyl glazing that slides vertically within an aluminum frame. This allows homeowners to close their porch against the elements or open the panels to enjoy fresh air.
The system combines the advantages of a screened porch with many of the benefits of a three-season room.
At Broadview Screen, we’ve been helping St. Louis homeowners enjoy their outdoor living spaces since 1989. We specialize in custom porch screening and EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track window installations.
Here are answers to 12 common questions homeowners ask when considering the EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track system.
1. What are EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows?
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows are a porch enclosure system consisting of four independently movable, vinyl-glazed panels that slide vertically within an aluminum frame.
Each unit also incorporates insect screening.
When the vinyl panels are closed, they help protect your porch from wind, rain, pollen, and outdoor debris.
When you want fresh air, the panels slide vertically and stack together, opening up much of the screened area.
Unlike conventional glass windows, the panels are made from flexible, transparent vinyl. This makes them significantly lighter than glass and helps make them practical for enclosing existing screened porches.
The result is a flexible outdoor living space that can be opened during pleasant weather and closed when conditions change.
2. How much do EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows cost?
The cost of EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows depends on the size and configuration of your porch.
Factors affecting the price include:
- The number of openings being enclosed
- The dimensions of each opening
- Frame and vinyl color selections
- Existing porch construction and framing
- Installation labor
- Whether additional doors or structural modifications are required
Because EZE-Breeze panels are custom-manufactured, there isn’t one standard price that accurately represents every installation.
An existing screened porch with suitable framing may be less complicated to enclose than a porch requiring additional structural work.
Our recommendation: Have your porch professionally measured and evaluated before comparing prices. Make sure your estimate accounts for the complete installation, not simply the cost of individual window units.
Contact Broadview Screen to request an estimate.
3. Are EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows worth the investment?
For homeowners who want to use their screened porch during more of the year, EZE-Breeze can be an attractive investment.
A traditional screened porch provides excellent ventilation and insect protection but offers little protection against wind, rain, and chilly weather.
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows provide greater flexibility.
On a warm summer day, you can open the panels and enjoy the breeze. When the temperature drops or rain approaches, you can close the panels to make the porch more comfortable.
The system can also help protect porch furniture and other belongings from ordinary weather exposure.
However, EZE-Breeze is not necessarily the right choice for everyone.
If you want a fully insulated room that can be heated and cooled like the rest of your house, conventional insulated windows and a properly constructed four-season addition may be more appropriate.
For homeowners who primarily want to extend the usefulness of their existing porch, EZE-Breeze is worth considering.
4. How much ventilation do EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows provide?
One of the biggest advantages of the Vertical Four-Track system is its ability to provide up to 75% ventilation.
The system uses four vertically sliding vinyl-glazed panels.
When opened, three panels can stack behind the fourth, exposing approximately three-quarters of the window opening to fresh air through the insect screen.
This is a substantial advantage for homeowners who enjoy the outdoor feeling of a screened porch.
The panels can also be adjusted to provide different amounts of ventilation.
For example, on a mild spring day, you may want to open only part of the window. During warmer weather, you can open the panels much farther.
This flexibility allows you to adjust airflow without removing the entire window system.
5. Can EZE-Breeze windows keep rain and snow out of my porch?
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows are designed to provide substantial protection from ordinary rain, wind, and snow.
When the vinyl panels are closed, they create a barrier that helps keep the weather outside.
However, EZE-Breeze porch windows are not completely waterproof.
During heavy, wind-driven rainstorms, some water may enter around the panels, tracks, or adjoining construction.
Likewise, snow and melting ice can sometimes introduce moisture into a three-season enclosure.
For that reason, homeowners should use flooring and furnishings appropriate for a porch environment where occasional moisture exposure is possible.
At Broadview Screen, we believe it’s important to explain these limitations before installation so homeowners have realistic expectations.
6. Can I use an EZE-Breeze porch during the winter in St. Louis?
Yes, but it’s important to understand the limitations.
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows help reduce exposure to cold winds, rain, and snow. On sunny winter days, an enclosed porch may feel noticeably more comfortable than an open screened porch.
However, the vinyl-glazed panels are not insulated glass.
They do not provide the same thermal performance as the windows used in a heated living space.
The temperature inside an EZE-Breeze porch will still be influenced by outdoor temperatures, sunshine, insulation, and the surrounding construction.
During a Missouri winter, the porch may be comfortable on some days and too cold on others.
The key distinction: An EZE-Breeze enclosure is a three-season porch system, not a substitute for a fully insulated four-season room.
7. What is the difference between EZE-Breeze vinyl windows and traditional glass windows?
The most important difference is the glazing material.
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows use flexible, transparent vinyl rather than rigid glass.
This offers several advantages:
Lighter weight: Vinyl-glazed panels are considerably lighter than traditional glass panels, making them easier to raise, lower, and remove for cleaning.
Greater ventilation: The four-track design allows up to 75% of the opening to be exposed to fresh air.
Impact flexibility: If the vinyl is accidentally pushed or distorted, it can often return to its original shape rather than breaking like glass.
Porch-friendly design: EZE-Breeze is specifically designed for porch and patio enclosure applications.
There are also important differences in performance.
Vinyl glazing is softer than glass and requires more careful cleaning. It is more susceptible to scratching, and its optical clarity may differ from conventional glass.
EZE-Breeze panels also do not provide the same insulation or airtightness as modern insulated residential windows.
The choice depends on whether you’re creating a flexible three-season porch or a fully conditioned living space.
8. How durable are EZE-Breeze vinyl panels?
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows use a flexible, 10-mil memory vinyl designed to withstand normal handling and use.
One of the material’s distinguishing features is its ability to recover from certain accidental impacts.
For example, if someone pushes against the vinyl, it may become distorted temporarily but generally returns to its original shape.
However, flexible vinyl is not indestructible.
Sharp objects can puncture the material, and abrasive cleaning products can scratch or damage the surface.
Like any exterior building product, EZE-Breeze panels also require appropriate care and maintenance.
The aluminum frames provide structural support, while the vertically sliding panels allow homeowners to adjust ventilation without repeatedly removing and reinstalling the entire window system.
Proper installation and routine maintenance are important to long-term performance.
9. Can EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows be installed on an existing screened porch?
Yes. Many existing screened porches can be converted into three-season spaces using EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows.
In many cases, the window units can be installed within the existing porch openings.
However, several conditions must be evaluated first:
- Whether the porch framing is structurally sound
- The dimensions and configuration of the openings
- The condition of the existing screen framing
- Whether the openings are sufficiently square and level
- Whether additional framing or modifications are necessary
Because each window is custom-made, accurate measurements are especially important.
A professional evaluation can determine whether your existing porch is suitable for conversion or whether modifications will be necessary.
10. How do you clean EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows?
Proper cleaning is important because EZE-Breeze uses flexible vinyl rather than conventional glass.
The manufacturer recommends cleaning the system at least twice annually, with more frequent cleaning when environmental conditions require it.
The panels are designed to tilt inward and can be removed for easier access.
Begin by gently removing loose dirt and debris. Use a soft, lint-free cloth and clean water, followed by an approved cleaning solution.
EZE-Breeze recommends its specially formulated Vinyl Cleaner. Its maintenance instructions also identify properly diluted Woolite or Murphy Oil Soap as acceptable cleaning solutions.
Avoid using:
- Ammonia-based glass cleaners like Windex
- Alcohol-based cleaners
- Abrasive cleaning pads
- Harsh chemicals
- Household cleaning products not approved by the manufacturer
Do not lubricate the main frame tracks unless instructed by the manufacturer.
Always follow the current manufacturer care instructions to help protect the vinyl and preserve warranty coverage.
Read Broadview Screen’s EZE-Breeze cleaning and maintenance instructions.
11. What colors are available for EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows?
EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows offer several frame and vinyl glazing colors.
The manufacturer’s standard frame color choices include:
- White
- Bronze
Vinyl glazing options include:
- Clear
- Smoke Gray
- Bronze
- Dark Gray
Clear vinyl is often appealing to homeowners who want to preserve their outdoor views.
Tinted vinyl can help reduce sunlight and glare while providing a different appearance.
The best choice depends on the color of your home, the amount of sunlight your porch receives, and your personal preferences. In St. Louis the clear vinyl option is the most popular.
Because colors can look different in photographs and under different lighting conditions, we recommend reviewing actual material samples before placing an order.
12. What are the disadvantages of EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows?
EZE-Breeze offers many advantages, but homeowners should understand its limitations.
They are not completely waterproof. Heavy, wind-driven rain can sometimes enter the enclosure.
They are not insulated windows. EZE-Breeze will not transform a porch into a conventional heated and cooled living space.
The vinyl requires special cleaning. Standard household glass cleaners and abrasive materials can damage the flexible glazing.
Vinyl is more susceptible to scratches than glass. Homeowners need to avoid sharp objects and improper cleaning techniques.
The panels do not create a completely airtight seal. Some airflow and outdoor temperature changes should be expected even when the units are closed.
The system requires periodic maintenance. As with other movable window products, dirt and debris should be removed, and the panels should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Understanding these limitations helps homeowners determine whether EZE-Breeze is the right product for their particular porch.
For many St. Louis homeowners, the ability to enjoy outdoor views and fresh air while gaining additional protection from the elements makes EZE-Breeze a compelling option.
Why choose Broadview Screen for EZE-Breeze windows in St. Louis?
Broadview Screen has served the St. Louis metropolitan area since 1989.
Our company specializes in custom screening and porch enclosure systems, including PGT EZE-Breeze Vertical Four-Track windows.
We understand that every porch is different. Opening dimensions, existing framing, architecture, exposure to weather, and how the homeowner plans to use the space all affect the selection and installation of a porch enclosure system.
We help homeowners evaluate their existing porches and understand the benefits and limitations of the products available.
Whether you’re converting an existing screened porch or planning a new three-season space, Broadview Screen can help you explore your options.
Visit our St. Louis showroom or contact us for an estimate.
Broadview Screen
12951 Gravois Road, Suite 110
St. Louis, Missouri 63127
Phone: 314-842-8888
