Choosing Between Vinyl, Wood and Aluminum Replacement Windows

Are you thinking of replacing your old windows, but do not know whether to pick wood, aluminum or vinyl windows? Are you always bombarded with commercials on the TV or flyers in your daily newspaper or just plain confused as to what's best for your home?  After you know what kind of house you have and what your needs are, it is quite easy to pick the best replacement window that will be a good improvement for your home and cost effective as well.
 

What is the difference between wood, aluminum, and vinyl windows? Should I install wood or aluminum or vinyl windows? These are common questions that we always struggle with, so we will try to address ways in which vinyl, wood and aluminum windows differ along with their pros and cons.
 

Vinyl windows have become a popular choice over the past few years for homes. In fact, it is estimated that more than 60% of all the residential replacement windows purchased in the U.S. are made from vinyl. They have many advantages over wood and aluminum window frames, overall, when used as the primary or main window. Those who love design can find satisfaction in vinyl since they can be customized into different shapes and styles. Vinyl replacement windows are energy efficient and can help lower the monthly utility bills. Although vinyl window options have many benefits, they may not be attractive to everyone, and there are a number of downsides to vinyl windows. Number one, they are prone to fading. Number two, they cannot be repainted - the color you purchase is the color you remain with forever.
 

Aluminum windows are cheaper than vinyl and wood windows. Aluminum will often outperform wood and vinyl alternatives when it comes to commercial buildings. Most property owners love the in-build benefits of aluminum replacement windows. They resist cracking, shrinking, rust and swelling. Also, aluminum windows are really strong—about forty times stronger than wood and more than three times stronger than vinyl. The major downside to aluminum windows is the extremely high heat and cold conduction rate. This feature often makes aluminum replacement windows energy inefficient, though thermal treatments will help to offset this issue. 
 

Wood is the oldest type of window frame that has been used for centuries. Wood is an excellent energy efficient option when installing new replacement windows in your home. Building experts recommend wood window replacements because of their insulation, versatility, and aesthetics properties. Similar to vinyl, wood windows are long lasting provided that they are properly maintained.
 

However, there are quite many disadvantages of opting for wood windows. For instance, they are prone to rot and termite infestation. Again, you cannot compare wood windows to vinyl windows when it comes to maintenance. While vinyl windows are almost maintenance free, wood replacement windows require a great deal of maintenance to function properly and prolong their lifespan.