Are All Replacement Windows The Same?

Learn about all of the different options, operating types and materials, which are available to homeowners who are shopping for replacement windows. Brought to you by http://www.gorell.com.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Replacement
• Windows
• Vinyl
• Window
• Guide
• Gorell

[redmanmbz4710]

To the comment from "TheFieldTech" regarding his liking wood frame windows, I live in the Louisville area and have had several complaints from local about the wood in their windows going bad, on the inside, due to condensation. They were replace once, under the manufacturer's warranty. The manufacturer then told them that they would no longer honor the warranty if it happened again!

[divisioneight]

The problem with vinyl windows is that the trade is still relatively new and there are no old units out there. The ones that are over 15 years old are starting to yellow. Vinyl windows also are susceptible to movement due to thermal expansion. Their strength is in their affordability. European vinyl units are made to a heavier standard than American units but cost as much as typical wood windows here.

[wasiv101]

You are obviously bias..you start out with composite and say they dont last.This is not true! I had vinyl windows installed in 1996 with a lifetime warranty.I still have them in half my home.They look bad now plus I lost alot of glass.I also put in 4 renewal by andersen and they still look great.

[PhoenixWindows]

Where you live also affects your decision. Extreme heat vs. extreme cold.

[TyJS31]

With less expensive and older vinyl products, what you describe can happen. With tech driven vinyl companies and advancement in tech, it just is unlikely to happen, with premium vinyl companies. Many even warrant against it. Vinyl has been #1 in US for many, many years. In Europe, vinyl has been #1 far and away. Because their tech is more advanced than ours, the challenges you describe have went away decades ago. Thanks for watching - and you have an open invite to Gorell factory.

[TheFieldTech]

TyJS31: I stand by my previous statements about vinyl. Regardless of the chambering,the vinyl throughout will shrink and stretch over a short period of time. This places stress on the glass package and eventually glaas separates from the sash or breakage occurs. I see this daily while out inspecting windows. And i see it daily when looking at all the broken sash IG units that need replacing for "unknown" reasons. I like the composites best. Wood next.

[TyJS31]

FieldTech:

Good info here, and you are correct in that many composites can be welded. I made a mistake in referencing composite when I should have specifically stated fiberglass.

I would say comparing vinyl fencing/blinds to vinyl windows isn't a fair comparison though. With a strong and good vinyl window, there are so many internal chambers, stretching and shrinking doesn't occur like it would in a hollow vinyl fence or blind - or even siding.

[TheFieldTech]

Where do you get your information? Many composite windows are "welded" with heat and pressure, giving the window frame and sash frame the same strength as the lineals themselves. I don't challenge anyone regarding vinyl vs wood vs composite windows out of the box. All work fine on day one. The problem is, what happens over time. Vinyl stretches/ shrinks with heat and cold weather, Anyone who owns vinyl fencing, blinds, siding, etc. can attest, it never goes back to it's original shape.

[TyJS31]

In regards to composite windows, composite windows don't require any less maintenance than vinyl. As you state, they are durable. But composite windows can not be welded so I am not sure how energy efficient they are.

[TyJS31]

Keeper3617: You bring up some good points. Aluminum Clad Wood windows may not require much maintenance. However, vinyl windows w/high performance glass are much more energy efficient than the wood counterpart. I don't know if it is true that most wood windows are available in custom sizes, there are several standard sizes, but custom sizes, not many wood windows have this available - if they do, extremely costly. Also, many vinyl window companies have paint available as a popular option.