Vinyl windows are typically thin and hollow, while composite windows are thick, providing better insulation and durability. In fact, composite offer over 200% better insulation than vinyl. Replacing all of your current windows with composite windows can save you up 40% on your home's heating bill.
Vinyl windows cost less than composite windows and offer a high amount of energy efficiency, thanks to the naturally insulating properties of the PVC, the type of plastic used to create vinyl windows.
Cons of Composite Windows
The first major drawback to Composite windows is that they cost far more than Vinyl Windows do. However, Composite windows don't contain PVC, the naturally insulating material utilized in Vinyl windows. This means their energy efficiency is actually comparable to that of Vinyl.
Composite windows are made from a blend of materials designed to achieve the ideal look and performance for your home. Composite wood windows feature a durable, cellular PVC exterior with a wood interior. They offer the durability of cellular PVC with the traditional beauty of wood.
Fiberglass windows are up to eight times stronger than vinyl, which means they generally last longer. A good quality vinyl replacement window can last up to 30 years or more, while fiberglass windows can last 50 years or more. The reason fiberglass replacement windows are stronger and more durable is due to its makeup.
A leading complaint from homeowners is that vinyl window frames are too bulky. Because this material is not as strong and durable as fiberglass and aluminum, the manufactures have to use more of it in frame construction.
Vinyl Windows
Yes, replacing worn out windows with vinyl ones does boost a home's value, as long as the window installation is done the right way. When they sell, homeowners can recover as much as 71 percent of the upfront remodeling cost of new windows.
Vinyl windows are typically thin and hollow, while composite windows are thick, providing better insulation and durability. In fact, composite offer over 200% better insulation than vinyl. Replacing all of your current windows with composite windows can save you up 40% on your home's heating bill.
Vinyl materials have slightly limited options compared to composites. A reason why composite is better in terms of appearance is that it looks more natural and wood-like. With the addition of textured grains, it will also feel like real wood.
As the name denotes, composite windows are a combination of various materials like vinyl, resin, fiberglass, and wood fibers. The founding material is comparable to that used to make your car's bumper; it's durable and flexible. Vinyl is a slightly more rigid type of PVC plastic, called uPVC.
Fiberglass windows are a great all-around solution for those looking to balance visual appeal, quality, durability and energy efficiency. As an added bonus, fiberglass replacement windows are less likely to take damage during installation than other composite windows.
On average, vinyl windows last between 20-40 years. Their life expectancy depends on the climate and conditions you live in. For instance, if your windows are exposed to harsh sunlight for extended periods of time, the vinyl will break down faster and their lifespan will be closer to 20 years.
It's clear that Andersen's Fibrex is one of the best, most advanced window technologies on the market. These durable windows hold up well against the most extreme conditions, are energy-efficient, and require little maintenance over the years.
Vinyl windows aren't as durable as wood windows, but they can last over 20 years. A quality vinyl window will also save you money on energy bills because the insulation in the frame of the window itself is energy efficient. Additionally, vinyl windows require no maintenance because they never need painting or scraping.
Casement windows are considered better than double-hung windows at keeping out drafts since the window seal is generally quite tight. Casement windows are good when you want to "scoop" cooling outside air into the house.
Additionally, vinyl windows are energy-efficient and offer a more substantial range of aesthetic and design options. If you're looking for cost-effective, energy-efficient, durable, low-maintenance windows with an impressive variety of styles, sizes, colors and finishes — you can't go wrong with vinyl windows.
Vinyl Composite Core, or VCC for short, is a new comer to the manufactured flooring world. VCC combines the very best features of both laminate and luxury vinyl.
Vinyl and polymer siding are both, essentially, plastic. The difference between them lies in the type of plastic. Vinyl siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) while polymer siding is made from polypropylene resin. Because of their similar makeup, vinyl and polymer siding are often referred to interchangeably.
Vinyl windows, on the other hand, do not absorb water and are not prone to rotting. These windows, when installed properly, can go for long periods of time without maintenance.
Renewal by Andersen® windows are made from Fibrex® material, an Andersen-exclusive composite that combines the strength and stability of wood with the low-maintenance features of vinyl.
Composite windows made with wood have the same thermal properties as wood windows, making them an energy efficient choice for your home. Like vinyl windows, composite windows come in a variety of colors and styles.
Buying the least expensive window or door for your home is never the best thing to do. They are usually cheap for a reason. In my opinion, it is well worth the extra cost to receive the increased value you receive for an energy efficient PVC or aluminum/clad window unit versus a vinyl replacement window.