The origin of vinyl windows dates back to the period just after the World War II in Germany. However, they could not make any impact on the American market because of their robust appearance and bulky design.
However, since 1990s, the global market for window construction and replacement was taken over completely by vinyl windows. Between the years 1992 and 1998, the American market for vinyl windows expanded by a whopping 125%. Till today, vinyl remains to be the most preferred window material for millions of homeowners. Naturally, all this has happened for more reasons than one. This brief discussion will help you understand the top reasons why you should opt for vinyl windows instead of other options.
Vinyl windows and doors can are now preferred over fiberglass, wood, and aluminum because of its high cost efficiency. Out of all materials used for windows, vinyl is the most inexpensive. However, there is no reason to think that this low price is a reflection of its quality. In spite of being inexpensive, vinyl windows score heavily in terms of durability, quality, style, etc. One of the top reasons to use vinyl windows is that they require almost no maintenance. Windows made of all other materials require a certain degree of maintenance. However, while using vinyl windows, you will never face maintenance issues such as corrosion, rusting, rotting, fading, discoloration, warping, etc. Moreover, they are almost 100% scratch resistant. As a result, vinyl window users are not required to perform maintenance activities such as scraping, staining, or painting. All they need to do is just to clean the windows with soap and water.
Many people prefer using vinyl windows also because they are easy to install. During the installation of vinyl windows, no damage is caused to the existing drywall. Moreover, there is nothing needed to be done after the vinyl window is installed.
Energy efficiency is one of the most important benefits of vinyl windows. The most important material present in vinyl windows is PVC or polyvinyl chloride. This material is responsible for the high energy efficiency of vinyl windows. Unlike materials such as Aluminum, PVC is a poor conductor of heat. Therefore, homes using vinyl windows will stay warm during the chilly winter months and remain cool in the summer season. The insulating capability of vinyl windows can be utilized by homeowners by reducing the use of air conditioner. Moreover, vinyl windows installed in the basement can drastically improve the comfort in the living space of the house.
It is important to note that the energy efficiency of vinyl windows can earn homeowners a tax credit measuring up to $1500. This tax credit is available only on new vinyl windows that have a U Factor equal to or less than 0.30. U Factor is the measure of a window’s efficiency in terms of preventing heat escape from the same. Therefore, low U Factor of a material indicates its high energy efficiency.
PVC is also known to have a high R value. This is a measure of a material’s efficiency in terms of preventing the passage of air through it. Therefore, windows made from materials with high R value offer significant noise reduction property. This is why vinyl windows can be a great choice if you need a noise barrier for traffic, barking dogs, or noisy neighbors.
As you all know, everything has its own limitations. In spite of so many great benefits, vinyl windows are not hundred percent flawless. Vinyl windows can sometimes discolor under the influence of extreme weather conditions such as intense heat. Please remember that it is not possible to repaint discolored vinyl windows. Therefore, replacement is the only alternative. Secondly, creating customized vinyl windows can be both expensive and difficult because the material is not easy to shape. The process known as extrusion can be quite expensive, depending on the type of custom windows you want.
