What You Need to Know About Vinyl Windows for Your Home

What You Need to Know About Vinyl Windows for Your Home

Cost is a major consideration for some homeowners who have tight home improvement budgets. In their new windows installation and renovation windows, for example, they are not willing to trade off other important functions of the windows in favor of cost. If you think it is unreasonable, you can be wrong. Some windows are both reasonably priced and highly functional at the same time – vinyl windows.

What are Vinyl Windows?

Vinyl windows are windows with frames that have been made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and UV stabilisers to keep sunlight from breaking down the material. PVC is a chemically-created form of vinyl. PVC, a high strength thermoplastic material is widely used in many applications such as plumbing and electrical pipes, wires and cables, medical devices, and other products. Many regard the vinyl plastic windows as the windows that give the best balance between features and cost among all the other window solutions available in the market.

Advantages

Vinyl windows are the preferred choice of many homeowners for the many benefits and advantages they offer and how well they measure up against other windows. Just in terms of renovation windows, vinyl is the best-selling type that outsells all others. Over the last several years, the sales of replacement vinyl plastic windows averaged over 20 million units per year, a trend that is expected to continue into the next few years and beyond. These are the reasons why it is the top choice in the windows market today:

1. Inexpensive

Vinyl windows are unbeatable when it comes to cost. Even without a ton of money to spend, you can still get all their advantages. In the 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, vinyl came out as the better buy compared to wood windows, costing $4,000 less than the latter. They also recoup more of your investment in the long run. On the replacement windows, vinyl is also typically the least costly of any frame type.

2. Energy efficient

The second biggest benefit you get from vinyl plastic windows that also contributes significantly to cost benefits is their energy efficiency. Vinyl window frames are considered the most energy-efficient. This is especially true when compared with their wood and aluminum counterparts. Their energy efficiency can maintain a pleasant indoor environment in your home regardless of the condition outdoors. Properly installed, vinyl windows keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. This reduces your heating and air conditioning usage for lower energy bills, which can be a substantial part of your household budget.

3. Strong and durable

Vinyl windows are one of the most durable, economical, and energy-efficient windows on the market today. They can withstand harsh weather conditions like wind, rain, snow, or sleet without getting scratched, peeled, cracked, chipped, corroded, or getting rusty. Inherently, vinyl does not absorb water so normal moisture-related issues such as swelling and cracking are not a concern with these vinyl plastic windows.

4. Long lifespan

Being resistant to the elements, vinyl do not age as fast as other windows. Under normal circumstances, the life expectancy of vinyl windows can reach 40 years, which is double those reported for double pane glass and aluminum-clad windows.

5. Maintenance-free

Vinyl window frames will not need to be repainted due to finish imperfections. As plastic windows, their surfaces remain smooth and shiny over many years with minimal maintenance. With just a little soapy water, they can be easily cleaned to have their original gloss.

6. Variety

You have many colour, size, and style options to choose from with vinyl windows. They can also be custom-made to suit your taste. Colours range from champagne to forest green. You will also have no problem selecting new windows of your style preference or replacing your old windows with vinyl renovation windows. These windows can function in any window style, which is discussed further below.

Disadvantages

There are only a few things people who are not fans of vinyl do not like about them. The colour and finish of this material stay constant; you cannot change the colours of your frames even if you want to as they can’t be painted. You will have to replace the windows if you want to change colours. If you fancy changes in window frame colours every so often, you will be better off with wood or fiberglass. Vinyl installed in a location exposed to plenty of bright sun for most of the day will last shorter than 40 years. And if you think the 40 years expected lifespan of this type of windows is not long enough for the investment you made, you can perhaps consider wood or fiberglass, which have longer service life – up to 60 and 80 years, respectively. However, note that they are significantly much pricier windows.

When To Use Vinyl?

Whether you're constructing a new house or renovating your old home, you can find vinyl plastic windows for any requirement you may have. They can be any of the following operating types:

• Awning windows
• Hopper windows
• Casement windows
• Single- or double-hung windows
• Single or double sliding windows
• Fixed or picture windows

Vinyl plastic windows are at par, if not superior to other window materials in many aspects. They are a practical choice for both cost and functionality. Do not hesitate to choose them as new windows or as replacement windows for your home improvement. If you are considering new windows or replacement windows for your home improvement, request a quote from New Town Windows and Doors, expert professional windows contractors with 15 years experience in the Kelowna area.