Vinyl windows offer many advantages. Replacement windows often look great visually as the natural sun light reflect off the surface of the frames. The vinyl remain glossy throughout it lifetime.
Vinyl is a loosely used term for PVC which is Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC is still not the best material for windows. PVC contains modifiers in its material DNA. These modifiers make PVC more workable and has become the industry standard. uPVC which mean Unplasterized Polyvinyl chloride, is PVC at it purest. Replacement windows made of uPVC is the hybrid of all vinyl windows.
Installing replacement windows can greatly improve the indoor comfort of a home while reducing sound tranfer. Just like any any energy efficient upgrade, windows can increase the resale value of your home.
Replacement vinyl windows comparison may be necessary, so it would wise to know what should be compared.
Vinyl window frames are not all created equally. Some manufactures of windows may choice to use screws or fiction fit elbow corners for joining the members of the frame together. Best practice for mulling the vinyl window frames and sashes together is call fushion welded.
Fushion welded replacement vinyl windows have a higher rating
One of the most functional feature of windows are the thermal pocket created as a result of the process used to create the frames. Vinyl windows can be made from recyclable PVC which would be of a lower grade but equally sustainable because of the efficient use of the material. In addition vinyl have a lower conditivity rating verse aluminum windows. The gaps create by the extrusion in the frames are reduces the material mass resulting in a lighter windows with higher thermal breaking properties.