Vinyl Replacement Window

Vinyl Replacement Window

Vinyl Or Wood Replacement Windows?
By Andrew Carnigie - Ezinearticles

Vinyl is a little cheaper than wood and that is the reason it has started to replace wood in replacement windows. However there are some significant differences between Denver vinyl windows and wood windows when it comes to performance. Vinyl is actually a partially organic material so it can expand and contract in the heat. However wood will warp in water if not properly protected.

The window company may sell you on the fact that vinyl is a no maintenance product. This is true outside of extreme heat, but if you are replacing wood windows the look will be significantly different. Vinyl does not split or flake paint, because they are not painted. In other words, Denver vinyl windows come only in black. Vinyl is actually less of an insulator than wood. On professional construction projects, architects rarely call for vinyl windows, not because of the energy savings, but because of their look.

Vinyl windows cannot be custom designed. Instead they come in just one style that does not look like older windows. Therefore for historical buildings, I can never recommend replacement Denver vinyl windows. They are popular with apartment buildings and the like because of their standardization, ease of install and low maintenance.

Wood windows have the advantage of being fully customizable. You can get a window company to create a wood frame and install glass at pretty much any dimension. The frame and muntins can match any building styles, and be painted to match. Because of this you have to pay for this premium. Wood frame windows may require occasional maintenance because as a natural material, wood will warp and bend. You can mitigate this by cladding the exterior window frame with metal. Most use aluminum that can be painted or baked on.

Some window companies are trying to make vinyl windows that imitate wood. The success is limited, but this may be a good compromise. They have new styles, but vinyl windows still only come in factory sizes. If you have a custom frame you need installed you may be in a hard place. Some people use aluminum windows, but these are just as unattractive, and can flake like wood. Vinyl has no problems with water. You can simply clean off the windows with water at any time without worrying about damage. Water just runs off vinyl, which is why it cannot be painted. Compared to metal, vinyl and wood are much better insulators.

Vinyl Replacement Window