Fibrex or composite vs vinyl wood.
Wood aluminum or vinyl windows.
Aluminum s main weakness as a window material is that it is a poor insulator.
This combination of a weather resistant vinyl exterior the strength of a solid wood frame and the beauty of a wood interior performs well beyond what vinyl can achieve on its own.
Wood windows are still the best type of windows available especially with virtually all companies offering composite or aluminum cladded exteriors see below for more detail on window exteriors wood windows are the most beautiful durable and energy efficient windows you can buy.
Aluminum can be repainted or re coated.
Where andersen has innovated with vinyl is by using it as a protective cladding for its wood core windows.
However vinyl window frames are often hollow.
Some aluminum windows actually have wood inside aluminum cladding to act as a thermal break.
Windows frames come in a number of different materials including wood vinyl aluminum fiberglass and composite plastic.
Eco friendly and can be recycled.
Aluminum is another popular window material and you may want to consider its advantages and disadvantages.
Unlike wood windows which may look nice when initially installed but over time can rot and deteriorate if not taken care of thanks to mother nature s natural elements vinyl holds strong year after year because it s made from a plastic material called polyvinyl chloride pvc that won t rust corrode or separate.
Painting wood windows is an exacting task and must be done frequently.
They are energy efficient economical and don t require much maintenance.
Vinyl is resilient and extremely durable.
Cold air will pass through hollow spaces.
In general when shopping for replacement windows it is a good idea to choose a color and finish that you can live with.
Vinyl frame windows are the most affordable as little as half the price of comparable wood frame versions.
Wood windows with aluminum cladding never need painting.
No warping but may rust.
Vinyl windows are almost maintenance free as opposed to their wood and aluminum counterparts.
Vinyl windows are loved by many contractors since they are considered superior to other materials.
Find out which is best for impact heat and humidity like in florida and texas costs new constructions energy savings and replacements.
Vinyl never requires repainting.
Vinyl is a poor conductor of heat and cold a good thing.
Aluminum is essentially unusable as window material in cold climates unless it includes a thermal break.
Thinner frames than both.