Exploring The Cost-Saving Features Of Vinyl Windows
Replacing the windows in your home is one of the wisest investments you can make when it comes to both property value and energy efficiency, but what type of window should you choose? Wood, aluminum and vinyl frames are all popular choices, but each comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Vinyl is perhaps the most common type of window frame in use in the United States, in part due to its combination of easy maintenance, energy efficiency and low manufacturing costs. These are four ways vinyl replacement windows could significantly impact your budget.
Insulating With Vinyl
Vinyl used in window frames is typically made of PVC, a lightweight, flexible and durable material that also happens to be an effective insulator. Furthermore, modern vinyl frames are created with insulated internal chambers, making them even more effective at holding hot or cold air inside your home, depending on the season. When paired with environmentally friendly glass panes, vinyl can create a noticeable drop in your home heating and cooling bills.
Preventing Moisture Accumulation
Wood frames are a popular choice for aesthetic purposes, but they are also vulnerable to the accumulation of moisture and require more frequent maintenance as a result. Vinyl, on the other hand, is impermeable and will not warp, rot or foster mold when exposed to water. This advantage leads to a longer lifespan for vinyl frames, giving you more time to recoup your investment before needing to replace your windows once more. And, considering the lower cost of vinyl to begin with, the savings are compounded.
Responding to Temperature Shifts
The other primary competitor of vinyl, aluminum, is useful in areas that experience heavy storms or a high crime rate due to its greater impact resistance. As a trade-off, however, aluminum is also prone to conducting heat into and out of a room, meaning your energy bills will suffer. Aluminum is also more likely to expand and contract with each temperature variation, leading to gradual warping and further inefficiency.
Accommodating Double- or Triple-Pane Glazing
The materials used to seal your window to the rest of your home don't mean very much if you are still using single-pane glass, which allows an incredibly inefficient heat transfer. Today's windows have two or even three panes and are often further insulated with the gas argon. You can also choose to have your windows coated to filter out both ultraviolet and infrared light, which can damage your furniture and pour unwanted heat into or out of your home, respectively. You might not often think about the technology behind your windows, but replacing them now can provide you with decades of lower bills, a higher house value, less maintenance and a more attractive home all at the same time. Contact a business, such as Beyers Window & Door Inc, for more information.