Wood
Wood has been the most common material used in window
construction for generations. Wood is the easiest material to work
with, either for a professional or a homeowner doing a DIY home
improvement project.
This material is most often used in custom work and intricately detailed
designs. You have a wide range of options for painting and staining to fit
every decorating need. This material is also very good in terms of energy
efficiency.
The only downside of using wood is the maintenance needed. You will need
to re paint or stain often. The peeling not only looks terrible, but will
cause the wood to rot, if not maintained properly over the years. With
good, regular maintenance, wood windows will last a long time.
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Steel
Steel is most often found in older homes and basement windows. It
is rarely used in newer homes because it is not very energy efficient. The
heat from your home can easily escape through the frame of these windows.
In addition, regular maintenance is needed. You must repaint steel
regularly, or it will rust. Steel is a very durable material and is still
used in hurricane storm shutters. |
Aluminum
Aluminum is nearly as durable as steel. However, like steel, it is not
very energy efficient and allows significant heat loss. This material does
have one benefit over steel. It doesn’t require the frequent maintenance.
The color of aluminum is baked on and a variety of colors are available.
Repainting is not necessary.
Vinyl
Vinyl is an inexpensive and durable material for windows. In
addition, vinyl is fairly energy efficient. In addition, vinyl windows are
maintenance free. They don’t need to be painted. Vinyl is colored straight
through, so you won’t ever see chips, scratches or peeling. A variety of
colors are available to match your home’s decoration.
The biggest problem with vinyl is that it can look cheap. There are vinyl
products that are made to look like wood, but the effect isn’t very good.
They still have a plastic look.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a fairly new material for window construction. It
is very durable and energy efficient. When insulated properly, it is one
of the best in terms of energy efficiency. There is little heat loss with
well insulated fiberglass windows. You will pay for this efficiency. These
windows are among the most expensive.
Things to Consider When Choosing Window Hardware
Consider the climate where you live. If you live in a hot climate, you
want to keep the heat out and the cold air in your home. Look for windows
with a lower U value.
If you live in a colder climate, you want just the opposite: to keep the
cold out and heat in. Heat loss is a major problem in cold climates and
you’ll want to prevent this both through the frame and the glass. Choose
energy efficient material and insulate it well. Consider insulated glass,
which adds to the energy efficiency of the window. These products contain
two layers of glass with argon gas in between the layers.
When replacing windows, consider the design of your home. You want the
windows to match the architectural elements of your home. Make sure the
material you choose fits in with the time period of your home. You won’t
want wood, Colonial style windows on a modern Contemporary home.
About The Author: Charles Mahoney reveals many news to
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site for information. The author is specializing in tips on window hardware (
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