If you are considering replacement windows for your home, you may have many options. In this article, we’ll explain the key benefits of vinyl windows compared to other materials, and you’ll clearly see with a spreadsheet example why vinyl is still a favorite.
Wood
Aesthetically pleasing and with a natural touch, wooden windows add a nice alluring appeal to your house. It is very thermal and acoustic insulated so they help keep the room comfortable. The windows are made of carefully chosen wood raw materials, such as pine, oak, or larch.
Сharacteristics:
- Require maintenance:That’s painting as well as a protective coating to prevent rotting, discoloration, and cracking. Moisture can also cause wood to warp and wood or poor sealing, mold, or rot, especially in high humidity conditions;
- Price:Wooden windows are more expensive than analogs because of the price of the material, and then the cost of its treatment and care;
- Installation difficulty:These windows are not easy to install, they need to be installed by professionals who know just how to fit it and how to make it durable.
Allergic reactions to wood or the protective coatings used are rare, but some people are allergic to some types of wood.
Composite
Composite windows are made from a mixture of different materials such as wood and aluminum. Composite windows often combine the strength and durability of aluminum with the insulating properties of wood.
Сharacteristics:
- Price:Composite windows are typically more expensive compared to vinyl and aluminum windows;
- Limited palette:They may offer a limited variety of styles and colors;
- Thermal conductivity:Some composite materials may have less thermal insulation than other types of windows.
Fiberglass
The windows are characterized by high strength and durability, are resistant to extreme weather conditions, and have excellent thermal insulation. They are not subject to corrosion and deformation.
Characteristics:
- Price:Fiberglass windows are often more expensive than other types of windows;
- Installation Difficulty:Installing fiberglass windows requires specialized experience and equipment;
- Limited selection:There may be a limited number of fiberglass window manufacturers and models on the market.
Aluminum
Windows are made of aluminum profiles, which are obtained by extrusion. Aluminum windows are often equipped with thermal inserts to increase thermal insulation. They are lightweight and highly durable. Requires minimal maintenance.
Сharacteristics:
- Oxidation:Aluminum windows can be subject to oxidation in high-humidity environments;
- Thermal conductivity:Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, which can lead to heat loss and reduced energy efficiency;
- Cost:Aluminum windows can be more expensive than vinyl windows, especially if equipped with thermal inserts to improve insulation.
Vinyl
Well, here we are finally getting to the point of this whole article. So, why vinyl?
First of all, vinyl windows have high energy efficiency due to the low thermal conductivity of polyvinyl chloride. This in particular makes them a leader in the Best Casement Windows category. The material feature helps maintain a comfortable temperature in the home and reduces heating and cooling costs. Vinyl windows come with double or triple glazing and are often filled with inert gases and coated with low-emissivity (Low-E) films.
Comparative table of advantages of vinyl vs. competitors (higher number – better score):
| Vinyl | Wood | Composite | Fiberglass | Aluminum | |
| Durability | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Price | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Appearance | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Maintenance | 9 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
| Energy efficiency | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Noise insulation | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Resistance to weather conditions | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Weight | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Total score | 8.6 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 7.1 |
In addition, vinyl windows have the following key characteristics:
- Minimal maintenance:Vinyl windows don’t need to be painted, sanded, or stained regularly. And since they’re easy to clean with soap and water, they’re a great choice for busy homeowners;
- Affordable price:Considering vinyl windows are less expensive than other types of windows (like wood or fiberglass) but no less quality than the rest, choosing vinyl windows is a wise decision;
- Excellent noise isolation:Vinyl windows help reduce the noise outside and enhance a quiet atmosphere in the home;
- Eco-friendly:Recyclable and energy efficient, vinyl windows lower energy requirements and promote going green.
But it would be wrong to claim that vinyl windows have no drawbacks. Among them, we can highlight not the largest choice of color and the theoretical possibility of deformation under the influence of too extreme temperatures. However, these disadvantages are easily offset by high energy efficiency, minimal maintenance requirements, affordability, and durability. Polyvinyl chloride is also easily recyclable to reduce environmental impact and reuse the material, making it an environmentally responsible choice for a variety of industries.
What’s the Bottom Line?
As the comparison chart above tells you, vinyl is still the preference of many homeowners, in most cases. Aluminum Windows, these marketing slogans sound great, don’t be too trusting however, they do have other flaws as well. The time-proven vinyl windows continue to be the perfect choice for those seeking a combination of comfort, economy, and aesthetics.
