Wood Vs Vinyl Vs Aluminum Windows
Discover the difference between aluminum clad wood vs vinyl clad and how they compare to glass frame windows.
Wood vs vinyl vs aluminum windows. Homeadvisor s vinyl or aluminum window guide compares which is better and pros and cons or each. Wood vinyl vs. Thinner frames than both. They aren t susceptible to rotting or warping and are mostly maintenance free.
If you re looking for a low maintenance replacement window look no further than vinyl. Some aluminum windows actually have wood inside aluminum cladding to act as a thermal break. Find out which is best for impact heat and humidity like in florida and texas costs new constructions energy savings and replacements. They are clad windows that is with an exterior layer of vinyl or aluminum.
The advantage of these modern clad wood windows is obvious. Unlike aluminum windows vinyl windows have a join line at each of the corners which may be unappealing to some individuals. Vinyl is resilient and extremely durable. Vinyl replacement windows are about 18 cheaper than wood windows according to remodeling s 2020 cost vs.
Aluminum is essentially unusable as window material in cold climates unless it includes a thermal break. No warping but will fade. They are energy efficient economical and don t require much maintenance. Vinyl windows are almost maintenance free as opposed to their wood and aluminum counterparts.
Anyway many wood frame windows are not real solid wood. Compared to the two materials explored in this guide fiberglass has some definite pros and cons. Wood windows are costlier. 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.
Vinyl frames are more traditional in appearance than aluminum frames. Call it the law of supply and demand the price of beauty or just the fact that fewer companies make wood windows but you will pay more for wood. Aluminum windows come with a thinner frame which provides your home with a more modern style with vinyl windows the majority of the window is made up of glass. According to remodeling magazine s cost vs value report for 2018 vinyl replacement windows recoup slightly more at the time of resale than wood replacement windows.
See how these two materials stack up against other popular window options. Aluminum windows are more costly than vinyl but less costly than wood. Aluminum s main weakness as a window material is that it is a poor insulator. Lifespan of up to 50 years.
High quality vinyl windows are a great choice for. Keep reading for key considerations in the decision of vinyl vs aluminum windows.