Making A Decision
Style, glass, color and material… It can be confusing and hard to know what window is best for you. While style and color have a lot to do with your specific home, the material your new windows are made of may depend on more than aesthetics. Here is everything you need to know about vinyl windows.
Vinyl windows are impact resistant and usually the most inexpensive option whilst offering the best value.
Vinyl is made up of polyvinyl chloride (commonly known as PVC) which is how they are referred to in Europe and have been the mainstay for new and replacement windows since the early 80’s in most of Europe. This material can expand and contract. If this is the case, why would I opt for vinyl windows, other than the fact they are a bit cheaper?
With the proper installer, these windows can be a very good option. Be sure to ask your installer if they plan on using foam to fill the frame’s cavities. Also, be sure to ask for heat-welded (fusion) corners which will prohibit air leakage as well. With proper installation, vinyl windows are great thermal insulators which means, they are energy efficient and will save you money on your energy bills! Because they are made from PVC, they are also very pliable. They can be molded into nearly any shape which makes them very customizable. PVC also allows vinyl windows to be low maintenance. They do not scratch or dent, and they are easy to clean. Just some soap and water will do the trick! DO NOT waste money on special vinyl window cleaner products from stores, they can in a lot of cases actually do more harm than good by miniature scratches being formed on the surface of the vinyl, which then takes away from the appeal.
Green conscious? Vinyl windows are recyclable! They can be melted and remolded into new products! Even scraps from the manufacturing process of other vinyl windows can be recycled. WORD OF CAUTION>> some budget vinyl windows are made from recycled products, do not invest in these windows, they will eventually discolor and warp. Insist of virgin vinyl as a bare minimum, ideally, go with enhanced polymers but settle for no less than virgin vinyl.
Because premier window companies have made huge advancements in vinyl window manufacturing, vinyl is now more durable than ever. Today, new vinyl replacement windows can handle large pieces of glass, like in picture windows, with ease. Vinyl is now more weather resistant than ever before ensuring they will be durable and long lasting in any climate. We will visit the differences in glass packages at a later date.
Vinyl windows will never need scraping, staining or painting. This will save you time and money on routine maintenance.
Moisture can cause a lot of damage to any window or window area. Condensation is limited with vinyl windows due to their energy efficient structure. Vinyl windows have a high condensation resistance factor, or CRF, which means it will happen far less often with your vinyl windows than other materials. However condensation is a fact of nature so whilst it will be minimized, please don’t be shocked at the occasional condensation, predominantly happens at a set dew point, and will often be on the outside!!
Want a more modern style instead of traditional? Then vinyl is your best bet. It’s sleek and clean looking; much more streamlined than a wood window.
If you’re selling your home soon, new windows are a great way to increase the value of your home. It is one less thing someone moving has to add to the list of “to-do’s” in their new home. Vinyl replacement windows are most certainly a value-added feature when selling your home.
In conclusion, if your top priorities are finding an inexpensive, energy efficient and maintenance free window, vinyl replacement windows are for you!
