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Roy
USA
1366 Posts |
 Posted - 09/11/2010 : 19:50:46
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Looking at replacement windows for the house. Question is, what is the best type?
Aluminum, solid vinyl, vinyl coated wood, solid wood, etc.
Also, which type is the best value?
Thanks, |
Roy
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2010 : 20:37:48
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Unless you live a a dessert I would stay away form wood. I see houses all tthe time that have wooden windows that are 70-80 years old with not a bit of rot while the new addition they put on 5 years ago the windows are already well into decay. the difference is that the old windows were made of heart pine and the wood even 3/4 of a century later are still full of natural rot inhibiting resin. That quality of wood is just not available these days. What kind of facade is on the house... brick , stucco, siding? and what kind of indows do you have now.
Aluminum can be a lot more efficient now days and may give the most bang for your buck though vinyl in my area is not any more expensive than the top quality alumium
On older houses with wooden windows I usually replace wooden windows with double pane solid vinyl to match the look of the wooden windows and keep the character of the house. They are also the most efficient. |
  Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
Edited by - skunkhome on 09/11/2010 20:44:51 |
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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2010 : 20:50:23
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I had vinyl windows put in a house 8-9 years ago, they are all in excellent shape still. The house I'm in has them and their good.
I've not seen anything but vinyl replacement windows, so I really can't give you a comparison. |
Michael |
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olcowhand
USA
5115 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2010 : 21:16:20
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I put all new vinyl double pane windows in my house 3 or 4 years ago. I love them! I put them in myself & was easy to do. So great to clean them from inside.
Phil, you hit the nail on the head with the wooden windows. The original 76yr old windows were still pretty solid, but some Dad put in the bedroom addition 30 years ago rotted away in short order. |
Daniel in Ky -- So much to do, so little time!
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Edited by - olcowhand on 09/11/2010 21:16:51 |
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wlewis379
USA
402 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2010 : 00:28:55
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One thing about aluminum it conducts cold and heat real well.
So well in fact that if you live in a cold climate you get a frost build up on the inside of the frame. When the frost melts it causes water damage to the window casing. Better known as rot. I have vinyl covered wood windows with insulated panes and they are about 25 years old and look as good as the day they were put in. If I was installing new windows I would consider putting in vinyl, or vinyl covered windows that tip in for easy cleaning. Just my 2 cents worth.
I live in Mass. Pretty cold in the winter fairly warm in summer.
Insert Image: 
Happy Trails Bill |
Happy Trails Bill
Insert Image: 
People who are all wrapped up in themselves are overdressed |
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2010 : 11:53:43
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| Well, there are now high end aluminum window with thermal blocks ( not aluminum through and through) which are highly efficient. I still favor the vinyl if it is comparable with the style of the house. |
Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
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BRAD1975
Canada
1562 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2010 : 00:06:52
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| if youre in a cold place go with solid vinyl and double or tripple with the gas in between the glass...do that and youll never be buying windows again...with the gas ones you save a lot of heat |
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Topic |
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Replacement Windows
