Not too long ago the only window frame material available for homeowners was wood. And while wood has a traditional charm and beauty that no other product can match, wood has its drawbacks, including the need for regular maintenance and repainting and restaining. Also, by its very nature, wood tends to shrink, warp, and crack, and eventually those tight-fitting windows become loose and drafty.
Today’s energy-efficient replacement window options include aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass as well as genuine wood and wood with an exterior cladding to reduce maintenance and weathering. Following is a basic summary of the various window frame types available.
Vinyl: Vinyl remains the most popular choice in replacement windows, because it is relatively low cost compared to some other options and requires little maintenance. The drawback of vinyl windows is that for the most part the frame color options are somewhat limited, though some window lines do offer custom colors. Paint on vinyl tends to fade and crack quickly, so if you’re thinking of painting your vinyl window frames, you should be aware that you’ll have to do it again in a short time to keep it looking good. There are paint manufacturers, however, who are introducing paints specifically developed to use on vinyl, so that may be an option.
Wood: Wood is generally the most expensive option. And while wood window frames provide good insulating value when they are first installed, over time they can shrink, leaving gaps in the window opening, resulting in drafts. Also, wood is subject to deterioration from moisture and requires frequent maintenance. If you like the idea of wood frames on the interior, you may want to consider one of the vinyl clad or other materials which provide a low-care exterior with the interior beauty of wood.
Aluminum: Aluminum is lightweight and doesn’t corrode, which makes it a good choice to hold up against moisture. They tend to cost more than fiberglass or vinyl, but they provide good resistance to the effects of weather.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is relatively new to the window market. One advantage that fiberglass has over other materials is that it expands and contracts at almost the same rate as glass, meaning your window frames should stay stable and won’t leak air. Fiberglass windows generally cost around twice what vinyl windows do, but they are less expensive than wood or aluminum but also can save you money due to their insulating value.
Of course, there are other factors that can affect the cost of your windows as well as the energy savings you can realize, such as the number of panes, whether you add gas filling or tinting, and whether your window sizes are standard or custom.
One last tip: Many people believe they can save money on replacing just the windows and leaving the frames intact. While that may be the case, only a professional window installer can evaluate your frames to determine whether they are still sound and workable with the new windows. If you have any questions about window frame
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
