What Are Vinyl Windows?
Vinyl windows offer a modern upgrade to your home or business. They are made of vinyl frames and glass, making them energy efficient and well-insulated against outdoor elements. These windows add a modern twist to interior design with their sleek frames, frame color options and various shapes that can be chosen from. Vinyl windows also require little to no maintenance and are very durable over time yet remain affordable compared to other window material options. Installing vinyl windows can increase the efficiency of heating and cooling while also decreasing the long-term costs associated with such upgrading projects. You may choose vinyl windows as a great way to make your living space more comfortable as well as create a stylish look that will last for years.
What Is Vinyl or PVC?
Vinyl windows are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a synthetic material that has undergone many structural and additive alterations to become better and more popular over time. Vinyl windows have a beautiful, wood-like surface and are stronger and more durable than other window materials like wood and metal while also being lighter and simpler to install.
Additionally, they have a wide range of shapes, glass alternatives, and color options that won’t fade, peel, yellow, or show weathering over time in harsh conditions.
If you choose vinyl replacement windows, you won’t have to deal with window replacement anytime soon because, with regular maintenance, these windows should endure for many years.
How to Choose Vinyl Replacement Windows
When shopping around for vinyl replacement windows, it’s important to choose the manufacturer that can provide you with the best product in terms of aesthetics, performance, and longevity.
Here is some research we think you should undertake before investing in vinyl replacement windows.
Quality Construction
When searching for vinyl replacement windows, it is essential to keep an eye out for a few key indicators of a well-built vinyl window. More glass panes and a greater vinyl window thickness equals a more robust and energy-efficient window. Multiple chambers in a window frame serve to increase its strength, rigidity, and thermal efficiency. Sashes and frame extrusions should have welded corners for the smoothest appearance, as if they were made from a single piece.
This invulnerable barrier must also keep moisture from accumulating between the panes, and it must aid in the proper functioning of the window’s opening mechanisms, such as its locks and hinges. Vinyl windows are known for their stunning wood-like appearance.
Materials and Additives
Manufacturers of vinyl windows use their own “recipes,” or unique blends of chemicals and other ingredients, to make their vinyl. Vinyl with a higher concentration of chemical additions tends to be of worse quality overall. There are, however, chemicals that may help keep your windows from being faded, yellowed, brittle, or otherwise damaged by the elements.
Excellent vinyl windows include metal reinforcements inside the frame to make it more rigid and weatherproof.
Glass Quality
Vinyl replacement windows should be selected for their optimal functioning, both in terms of the frame and the glass. The more glass there is between you and the outside world, the less noise you’ll hear, the less heat will be lost or gained, the less your furniture will fade in the sun, and the less energy will be used heating or cooling the house.
Double or even triple pane vinyl windows are available from certain manufacturers; they should be given careful consideration in high-risk regions of your house. High risk in terms of security and impact (if living in a hurricane region).
Warranty
When properly cared for, such as with regular cleanings at the change of the seasons, your vinyl replacement windows should endure for at least 20 years. At the very least, this is how long your manufacturer’s warranty should cover you. In addition to the standard manufacturer’s guarantee, some firms will provide a “double lifetime warranty” on your window, which means it may be passed on to the next owner and may even raise the value of your property.
Energy Efficiency Ratings
One of the most significant advantages of installing vinyl replacement windows is energy saving, yet not all are made equal. Even if the manufacturer guarantees the window’s performance, you can seek independent verification from organizations such as the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), which specialize in product testing, establishing performance standards, energy efficiency certifications and labeling for windows, and more.
Reasons To Pick Vinyl Replacement Windows
Strength and Durability
There’s a good reason why vinyl windows are so common: they need almost little upkeep and last far longer than other materials. Vinyl windows are maintenance-free because they don’t chip or peel, fracture, warp, fade, or wear from extreme temperatures. When properly cared for (including with routine window washing), vinyl replacement windows may endure for decades and often come with a guarantee that can be passed on to the next owner.
Affordability
The figures don’t lie: vinyl replacement windows are more affordable than their wood or metal counterparts. Vinyl windows are a good investment when weighed against other options because of their durability, strength, resistance to damage or fading, and the possibility of a lifetime guarantee that transfers from owner to owner.
Aesthetics and Color Choices
Vinyl window frames may be manufactured in an almost limitless variety of colors that won’t fade over time. You may choose from exterior and interior vinyl window colors to complement or contrast your home’s design.
Energy Efficiency
In terms of durability and efficiency, vinyl windows can’t be topped. They are the best in the business when it comes to keeping the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Vinyl window frames and glass panes provide superior insulation with several pane choices and may even aid in protecting your furniture from fading due to Low-E glass treatments.
It’s a win-win situation since doing all of these things can lower your energy bill.
Environmentally Friendly
Vinyl windows reduce your environmental impact in more ways than one since they last longer than conventional materials like wood and metal and need less maintenance. It’s a plus because they can be reused and recycled.
How Much Does A Vinyl Replacement Window Cost?
A double-hung vinyl replacement window costs $550 on average in the United States. Homeowners may anticipate to spend $400 to $800 per window on average, with labor charges ranging from $100 to $300 per window.
How Long Do Vinyl Windows Last?
New vinyl windows have a lifespan of 20 to 40 years. Climate and exposure to harsh conditions, high temperatures, or intense, direct sunshine for lengthy periods of time are factors that contribute to the life expectancy of vinyl windows. The majority of firms who manufacture excellent vinyl windows should provide a guarantee that covers the projected lifespan of the window, which is often 20 years or more.
Vinyl windows are perfect for any home. Not only incredibly durable, vinyl windows also have a much longer lifespan than other materials such as wood or aluminum. Although vinyl may be slightly more expensive to purchase than its competitors, the price is well worth it in the long run – vinyl windows stand up even better over time and require less maintenance than other materials. Vinyl also offers homeowners many color choices and window types – making vinyl an excellent choice for remodeling projects. Additionally, vinyl provides energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Producing vinyl carries considerably fewer hazardous air pollutants compared to aluminum or metal windows, which make these windows preferable from a sustainability perspective. Recycling vinyl is also easy – making vinyl an ideal choice all around that should not be overlooked when considering window options for your home.
Let Us Install Your Vinyl Replacement Windows