Our real estate agent thinks they are the cat's meow...
2006-12-01 05:08:57 · 6 answers · asked by Kyle D 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Many homes built in the 1970's and 80's have aluminum frame windows. These "sweat" due to the temp. difference between indoors and outdoors, causing staining, etc. on your wooden window frames.
Vinyl windows do not sweat, thus protecting your woodwork.
In addition, they insulate better and, most say look better than the older aluminum windows.
Wood frame are of course the best, and last forever, but quite spendy in comparison to vinyl.
2006-12-01 06:38:21 · answer #1 · answered by choppes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with all the above answers. Low maintenance, better insulation, they have a thermal break that means they don't transfer temperature through conduction. But like all things, you get what you pay for. Most brands you get a fine product, but some are cheaper brands or are lines that aren't very good. Some don't close properly and can leak. Some are built poorly or use inferior components. So look at samples windows, you can usually tell, a good product vs an inferior one. But assuming you have a good vinyl window, the only drawback is color options. If you pick a good wood window you can paint it, but vinyl windows only have three, four, rarely more colors. But if you paint a wood window now you have to maintain the window. Another option is wood with aluminum clad exterior. Same or similar insulation, should have thermal break, and can be a variety of colors. You can even stain the interior, if you wish. And they are expensive.
If it was my house, I'd be happy with a quality vinyl window. But if you want to move up, use a wood window, with aluminum clad exterior.
2006-12-01 08:31:48 · answer #2 · answered by robling_dwrdesign 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with all of the above. We just bought some here in Montana and it has been down to 4 F and it is probably 25% warmer inside. Of course they are double paned.
2006-12-01 09:53:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are effective insulators and require almost no maintenance. In harsh climates they seriously outllast and outperform most other windows.
2006-12-01 05:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They last longer. The wood in wood-framed windows will rot and the paint will chip over time.
2006-12-01 05:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by danielleb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are also great sound insulators and most of them have a little "can't raise" arm that lets you leave your windows slightly open.
2006-12-01 05:44:20 · answer #6 · answered by kramerdnewf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋