subject: Vinyl Replacement Windows - How To Find The Best [print this page] On the modern market of replacement windows vinyl windows are currently the most popular. The reasons are simple - this plastic material is cheap, available, very durable and energy efficient. However, there are some disadvantages as well. Find out if vinyl window is the right choice for your house or should you go for a more traditional wooden frame.
What we call a vinyl window is usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Sometimes it is also used as a veneer on wooden or aluminum frames.
If 10-15 years ago you heard some bad things about vinyl windows, forget about that. In old days vinyl really did have some problems, mostly with thermal expansion. In extremely hot or cold days the frame could contract or expand making your window impossible to open or close. Sometimes it could even lead to cracking the glass. However, these problems are the thing of the past, modern vinyl windows are resistant to high and cold temperatures, very durable and keep new like appearance for ages.
Vinyl replacement window frames pros
- Vinyl frames are durable, even ten years after installation it will look the same, resist corrosion and unlike wood frames will not chip
- Quality windows are very energy efficient
- No need to paint and repaint your windows, vinyl comes in many colors to suit the color of your home; it doesn't fade and doesn't require painting
- Easy maintenance, in fact no maintenance is required except for occasional washing and vinyl surface is very easy to wash.
- installation is simple and easy
- these windows are inexpensive
- vinyl windows come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs which means that you can always find a window that suits you without going though the troubles of ordering a custom made frame as it often happens with wooden windows
Vinyl frames cons
Even though there are so many obvious advantages there are some downsides as well
- vinyl looks slightly bulkier compared to metal and wood frames
- it looks like plastic
- vinyl frames can't be painted, so you will have to select carefully from the colors offered by manufacturers.
Vinyl window ratings
When selecting which brand of windows to get for your home it is very important to pay attention to the ratings.We all know about Energy Star Program - these little stars that you can see on fridges, air conditioners and other appliances. Windows can also be rated with Energy Star rating. Vinyl windows usually are more energy efficient then wooden or aluminum frames, because of the perfect fit.
Some windows also have National Fenestration Rating where the R-value and U-value are mostly important. U-value measures how effective your window is at keeping the heat inside, the numbers are usually fall between 2.0 and 10.0. the lower number is the better. R-value is usually applied not to windows, but to walls and ceilings
