Is Aluminum Or Vinyl Windows Better

Available in many different finishes including wood grain finishes.

Is aluminum or vinyl windows better.

Vinyl windows excel when it comes to insulation and improving energy efficiency because the vinyl material minimizes heat transfer. In fact vinyl windows should not be chosen for noise insulation because they do not insulate very well due to less mass. Vinyl windows feature the same qualities but are significantly better insulators against heat and cold. Some aluminum windows actually have wood inside aluminum cladding to act as a thermal break.

In very general terms foam filled fiberglass framed windows perform better with foam filled vinyl coming second followed by composite and wood frame windows. They are generally more durable than vinyl windows in hotter climates experts say and they cost a bit more than vinyl. Vinyl windows are roughly 10 to 30 percent cheaper to buy and install. Materials used in their manufacturing are also very malleable meaning aluminum windows can be tailored for almost any frame shape.

Replacing aluminum windows with vinyl. Aluminum windows are lightweight strong and durable. Aluminum s main weakness as a window material is that it is a poor insulator. Vinyl windows are an attractive option that can easily be customized to match the style of a home.

Vinyl windows are 40 more efficient than their aluminum counter parts. Plus vinyl windows have the better value and will help you save money in the long run as well. Aluminum windows will have you spending money on maintenance which is an unnecessary expense when vinyl is an option. For aluminum window frames to insulate well they need what is called a thermal break in which the two halves inner and outer are held together by a non metal insulating material.

Aluminum wood clad vinyl and fiberglass. If you re thinking that vinyl may be a better fit for your home that currently has aluminum windows you can replace your windows with a retrofit frame. Aluminum windows are more costly than vinyl but less costly than wood. When comparing aluminum vs vinyl windows you ll almost always pay more for aluminum.

Some additional features of vinyl windows include. Aluminum windows are much better at stopping noise than vinyl windows. The labor to remove the old units. Our experts tell us that in south florida most consumers are going with aluminum impact windows.

They don t carry as high energy ratings as vinyl but they still insulate better than one pane glass. The cost of installing a single vinyl window 700 to 800 compared to 900 to 1 100 for one fiberglass window. The costs will involve these factors. There are five main types of window frames.

While aluminum windows will not block out all noise they do a better job than vinyl windows. Vinyl windows insulate better than aluminum windows. Disposing of recycling old parts.