Vinyl window replacements are a great way to make ensure that your home becomes more energy-efficient, secure, and valuable. This guide to vinyl windows will cover important questions that you might ask about this material, present vinyl windows pros and cons, and gives you valuable tips that will aid you to determine how to install these windows in your home.
Why Vinyl Windows?
So why should you choose using vinyl windows in your home? This window material has many benefits, and can usually standpoint for point versus any other material while still coming out on top. Vinyl window’s life expectancy usually outlasts most other window types, and it stays durable and energy-efficient for a period of decades. This saves you tons of money in the long run in terms of both maintenance costs and energy bills. Vinyl windows design options can match the character of any house, giving you option you to create a seamless look that matches your desired home style and increase equity. Finally, these windows are very customizable and easy to install, making them a valuable addition to everybody’s home.
Vinyl Window Composition
What are vinyl windows made of and how can that help improve your home? Most vinyl windows use polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, for their frames. This is a chemically-created form of vinyl that is also used for plumbing and electrical pipes.
PVC gives a great deal of flexibility, that helps eliminate air leaks that could end up to a drop in energy efficiency. This material is also very tough, which means that a typical vinyl window will last anywhere from 20 to 40 years before showing any signs of damage. more often than not, vinyl windows are the most durable, economical, and energy-efficient windows sold on the market today.
Vinyl and the Environment
The fact that these windows use chemically-created PVC leads many people to question, are vinyl windows safe? This can be answered by looking at two elements: the environmental impact of vinyl’s make and the likelihood of damage over the years. In the case of the former, PVC does include the use of off-gassing in its creation, which is not completely environmentally friendly.
In the case of fire, vinyl can give off toxic smoke that can be fatal. On the other hand, the use of vinyl means a higher overall energy efficiency, which in turn lessen the use of fossil fuels in home temperatures. The question of safety and environmental friendliness normally comes down to a less than ideal short-term in exchange for a safe and green long-term.
Comparing Vinyl to Other Window Types
Vinyl is hardly the only window type out there, and many homes use alternative materials to be closer to the same results. This is commonly true in older houses, where wood, aluminium, and fiberglass windows are the usual material. The next few paragraphs compare and contrast these window types to modern vinyl windows, that will let you decide what material is fitted for you.
Wood Windows
Homes that place a high value on character over energy efficiency can take advantage of wood window frames. In terms of overall cost, wood windows surpass vinyl windows price on installation but can make a huge difference in the long run. Vinyl windows last at least 20 years or more, but well-maintained wood windows can last much longer. On the other hand, wood windows tend to swell and normally warp due to weather conditions. This can make large air leaks which completely ruin the energy efficiency. Vinyl windows create a completely airtight seal. Wood has a little more customization options and can be stained or painted easy, giving a home with more character. For some individuals, this final point matters a lot than the long-term cost of the window materials.
Aluminum Windows
In vinyl vs. aluminium windows, vinyl comes out on top in most categories. Vinyl windows benefits include greater energy efficiency, less condensation, and better noise reduction. However, aluminium does have some advantages that people like to point to. This adds the ability to paint the frame to match the color of a house’s exterior. Vinyl windows cannot be effectively painted, making an exact color match problematic at times.
Aluminium windows also tend to be more scratch and impact damage resistant. But, it is worth knowing that aluminium can be prone to corrosion. In the case where an aluminium frame has been painted, a scratch won’t damage the frame but can expose the metal under the paint.
Fiberglass Windows
One of the biggest comparison going on in the window industry nowadays is the question of vinyl vs. fiberglass windows. Of the other window materials on the market today, fiberglass provides the stiffest competitor of vinyl. Fiberglass can be painted, unlike vinyl, and can copy the look of wood to match the house.
It rarely warps and is incredibly strong. Finally, it is more eco-friendly compared to vinyl, since a typical fiberglass frame is composed of 60% recyclable glass. At the same time, fiberglass seems to be more expensive than vinyl. With vinyl prices projected to stay the same in the years to come, it is highly likely that the vinyl windows cost will stay lower than fiberglass for a long time.