Windows are the eyes to a house's soul – if your windows are big and beautiful so too is your home, but they can also include a range of challenges as well. With sub par windows, you can look forward to a drafty home with high heating bills. Similarly, there are also moisture issues – for example, if you don't seal the space between your double panes securely enough, you will get a build up of condensation. Having lived in old houses and having helped choose the windows for new houses, I'm familiar with a range of challenges associated with windows. If you want tips and ideas, you've come to the right spot. Please, explore and enjoy.
Every homeowner needs to replace the windows on his or her home at some point in time; this is simply a part of home ownership. However, when you are replacing frames for the windows, there are several options you should consider. The following re among the most popular.
Vinyl window frames
This is at the top of the list for many homeowners for a few reasons. One, vinyl frames do not take much maintenance after installation, and are easy to clean. As a material, vinyl has outstanding insulation properties, so it will not transfer the heat and cold from the outdoors into your home. Vinyl also retains its shape, and will not warp like wood does due to humidity. The one downside to vinyl is that it is limited in colors. So if you are considering vinyl, you should first make sure that the available colors offer you something that is aesthetically pleasing to you.
Wood window frames
Wood is the classic material for windows, but in today's world of housing design, its main attraction is that you can create any look to it they you want. You can paint or stain wood. The aesthetic expression of wood is only limited by your imagination. In many ways, wood is the exact opposite of vinyl. You must make sure that the frames have a good coating of paint to protect the wood from the weather. Any neglect will reduce the lifespan of the frames. Wood also takes maintenance other than painting. You occasionally have to repair a wooden frame. Humidity, for example, can make a window frame swell, so it will not open.
Aluminum window frames
This material is often a good choice in areas that have a lot of weather changes or a lot of humidity. It is durable and maintenance free like vinyl but can be stained to look like other materials Often a person may not realize they are even looking are aluminum. This makes the material similar to vinyl because it will last, but offers more options to create aesthetic appeal than vinyl does. The one drawback when compared to vinyl is that is that aluminum is not a good insulator. It is also more costly compared to wood and vinyl.
Fiberglass window frames
Like aluminum, fiberglass is also more expensive that vinyl or wood, but it has all of the advantages that aluminum has without the disadvantage of being a poor insulator. Fiberglass has great insulation properties. The only disadvantage is the cost. It can be the most expensive material.
Ultimately, the material choice will depend upon the weather in your city, your budget and the aesthetic desires you have, but you should take the time to look at what frames are available for your home when you are ready to replace the windows. For more information, talk to a professional like Custom View Exteriors.
Share2 May 2017
