Largely because of their low cost, strength, durability, and worry-free maintenance, the popularity of vinyl replacement windows continue to grow. They are in fact one of, if not the most popular type of windows today. The truth is that the demand for vinyl replacement windows today exceeds those of any other alternative materials available including wood.
Many years ago, vinyl windows weren’t the superstars that they are today. In fact, long before they came along, there were already certain window types that existed. First, there were wood windows that for the longest time monopolized the market. For many years, wood was utilized both for practical and aesthetic reasons. Practical because wood resources were abundant during those times and were easily available. In terms of aesthetics, wood offers a nice appearance, which until today has remained unparalleled by any other substitute materials.
But then again, as time passed by, there have been many operational issues surrounding wood windows. Constant exposure to the outdoor elements made them prone to breaking, rattling, etc. which in turn affected their performance. Plus, wood windows can call for regular maintenance. In the early 1990s, steel was used to construct windows. The material offers several advantages. Its main selling point is its strength and durability. The material doesn’t corrode and it can effectively stand up against all the outdoor elements. However, since steel is able to transfer both heat and cold, it makes the indoor space much warmer during summer and colder during winter. In addition, the weight of steel windows poses a problem when it comes to their installation as they can be really heavy.
Then aluminum windows came along. Like steel, aluminum requires very little maintenance, but unlike its predecessor it is lightweight, getting rid of the installation difficulties posed by steel windows. Plus, it is generally more affordable. And so a new generation of aluminum windows was produced. It wasn’t long though before it was realized that when it comes to energy efficiency, aluminum windows don’t perform really well. And so the search for the most ideal material continues until vinyl was discovered.
Not only do vinyl windows rank high in energy performance, they can also effectively withstand the elements outdoors. In fact, they can stand up against these elements far more effectively than wood and metal. The material does not corrode, flake, or peel. It even maintains its color integrity through time. If this isn’t enough, vinyl is also the cheapest material used in the production of windows. It likewise calls for very minimal upkeep and maintenance. In short, for significantly less, you can take advantage of all the amazing benefits that vinyl windows can offer, allowing you to get excellent value for your investment.