Choosing Vinyl or Aluminum Replacement Windows
by Gabby Hyman
With the arrival of winter, homeowners across the country are assessing materials for replacement
windows. When considering your choices, you should evaluate critical factors including total cost, ease of installation and
maintenance, energy efficiency, durability, and appearance. You may want to comparison shop to determine the right window for
your needs.
Vinyl windows stack up well against aluminum replacement windows in many
head-to-head factors. Let's look at a few:
Vinyl Window Maintenance
Once installed, vinyl windows never
require repair work to maintain their appearance. Color that's sprayed on aluminum frames can be scratched, and it flakes or
peels under duress and wear. Vinyl never needs sanding and refinishing. Vinyl windows and frames are resistant to denting and
impact scratches. Aluminum is not.
Depending on your choice, many vinyl replacement window sets come with features that allow you to slide or tilt the windows
inwards, allowing you to clean them without leaving the inside of your home.
Structural Integrity
Aluminum can corrode from exposure to
environmental factors of weather and pollution. Vinyl is naturally resistant to moisture. Vinyl frames are fusion welded.
Aluminum windows are screwed into frames and sashes, adding vulnerability to air leaks and water condensation. Moisture leaks
allow mildew into your home and can rot fundamental structures in the house. Aluminum may also frost up in icy weather. Over
the long haul, aluminum replacement windows may be subject to corrosion in the frames, resulting in stuck or lurching
operation.
Window Energy Efficiency
Aluminum is a metal and is a natural
conductor of cold or hot temperatures. Metal, according to the Department of Energy (DOE,) is a poor insulator. Vinyl is
resistant to heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. The DOE reports that vinyl material is resistant to
breakdown by sunlight and has "good insulating value." If you reside in a cold climate, vinyl windows can be ordered with
argon or krypton fills between panes, providing energy efficiency and savings on utilities.
Vinyl can be a good choice for storm windows, too, as it has strong resistance to dramatic wind and rain conditions.
Sources:
Better Home Building and Supply
U.S. Department of Energy
About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including
eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
|
