What is a Vinyl Window?

Answer:
Some homeowners may decide to replace their existing
wood or aluminum windows with an increasingly popular vinyl plastic frame.

In fact, many manufacturers and remodelers refer to these new windows as vinyl replacement windows because they are often installed as replacements or upgrades from other types of window frames.

A vinyl window can be produced in any number of designs and in virtually any color the buyer desires.


A vinyl window is not necessarily less expensive than a traditional wood or aluminum window frame, but it has certain advantages over either one of those materials. 

Wooden window frames are constantly exposed to the elements, which means they can deteriorate or rot in a relatively short period of time.  The constant expansion and contraction caused by summer and winter weather conditions can cause gaps to develop between a glass pane and the wooden frame, which makes the window much less energy efficient and compromises the insulation value. 

A similar vinyl window will not suffer as much weather damage over time and the panes are less likely to become loose in the frame.  Vinyl windows are also available in double and even triple-paned versions, which means the insulation value is much higher than a single-paned wooden window.

Aluminum windows offer advantages over wooden frames in terms of weather resistance, but they can also be difficult to paint or repair.  If an aluminum window frame becomes damaged from blunt force, for example, the entire frame may have to be replaced in order to reinstall the panes safely. 

A vinyl window is more likely to heal from an occasional blunt force trauma than an aluminum window frame.  A vinyl window can also be treated with special filters to significantly reduce the amount of sunlight which can penetrate the panes. 

Noise abatement can also be an issue with any window frame material, and vinyl windows provide a significant amount of noise reduction compared to many wooden or aluminum window frames.

Installing vinyl replacement windows can require a substantial investment up-front, but they can add thousands of dollars to the home's overall value.  Vinyl windows generally require less maintenance than other types of window frames, and they do not need to be painted or sealed on a regular basis like wooden window frames.

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