Replacement Windows - Aluminum, Vinyl, Fiberglass, Wood

Replacing the windows in your home can be one of the most exciting home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake.  Replacement windows also happen to be one of the most sensible ways to invest in your home.  While many home improvement projects are aimed at the aesthetics of a home only, replacement of your home’s windows will target not only the appearance of your home, but also its energy-efficiency, security and property value.

Several reasons a homeowner might choose replacement windows:

• Replace your home’s old windows for identical but newer, more secure, better insulating windows.
• Change the mood inside your home by inviting new light and new vistas from your favorite room.
• Overhaul the character of your home with a window “face-lift”, incorporating different styles of windows.

A trip to your local home improvement store will leave you feeling overwhelmed by the choices in replacement windows; there are many styles and materials from which to choose. That’s when you know that a replacement windows contractor is your best bet. An experienced window contractor will lend you the benefit of that experience when making decisions on the style and material of your replacement windows. The contractor will interview you to determine the needs of you and other occupants of the home. The contractor will also assess the separate needs of your home, and then will counsel you on the best materials to select with respect to both your locale’s climate and the expectations you have of the durability and life of your windows. A few of the materials to choose from are:

• Aluminum: Aluminum Replacement Windows are possibly the most economical choice and are available in varying thicknesses of aluminum, with the thicker being more costly, but also more durable. Extruded, or molded aluminum is also tougher than rolled, or pressed aluminum. If color is your priority, however, aluminum windows are not available in as wide a variety of colors that wood finishes are, and aluminum will need a fresh coat of paint every few years. Aluminum windows also lack the insulating properties of wood windows, so be sure to consult your contractor on the advisability of aluminum windows in your area.
• Vinyl: Vinyl Replacement Windows, like those of aluminum, provide a durable, low-maintenance window, and you will find a wider range of colors available than those in aluminum.  Two major advantages of vinyl windows are their low maintenance and durability.  Vinyl windows will also almost never need to be repainted.  New advances in window technology have made vinyl windows competitive with the energy efficiency and insulating properties of wood windows.  You may also find vinyl to be tougher in terms of environmental abuse, but warping in extreme climates may also be a problem.
• Fiberglass: While fiberglass itself has been in use for a long time, fiberglass Replacement windows are a relatively new development. Fiberglass is exceptionally strong, and can hold larger panes of glass. Another benefit of the strength of fiberglass is that windows can be made with hollow parts, which are typically then filled with insulation. Higher-quality insulated fiberglass windows can be even more energy efficient than those made from solid wood. Fiberglass windows are particularly weather-resistant and will resist deterioration in all but the most extreme climates.  However, the energy-efficiency, low maintenance and long life of fiberglass windows may be overshadowed by their cost, which is far greater than any other material.
• Wood: Wood Replacement windows have long been regarded as the only way to attain or retain a traditional home’s appearance.  While wood windows have insulating properties that no other material can quite sustain, wood windows are also the unwitting victims of pest and climate damage.  The upkeep of wood windows involves regular maintenance, in the form of removing chipped or flaking paint, sanding and repainting. The benefits of wood windows include the ability to shape them, with millwork, to any style you might imagine.  If your windows are odd or custom sizes, wood windows may be one of the few options your contractor has for your replacement windows.
• Wood Clad: Wood clad Replacement windows may offer the best option in value, maintenance and energy-efficiency. Made from a core of wood or wood products, the window frame is then clad on another material: typically vinyl or aluminum.  These windows offer the insulating properties of wood windows, combined with the low maintenance of vinyl or aluminum windows.  However, your choices of style and color are limited to those available in the cladding material. 

After determining the material suitable for your replacement windows, your window contractor will turn your attention to style.  The style of replacement windows you choose will establish the tone and character of your home, from both outdoors and indoors.  There are many styles of replacement windows from which to choose. Click here to view a wide selection of replacement windows.

At this point in your replacement window project planning, your contractor will advise you on the window manufacturer to select. Some contractors prefer to work with particular manufacturers, for a variety of reasons: convenience, availability and familiarity with product. Some replacement window manufacturers and window makers are Andersen Windows, Pella Windows, Windows, Jeld-Wen Windows, Milgard, Simonton and more. Typically, the windows made by these manufacturers have similar benefits, and all offer windows in varying qualities.

At Window Buyers Guide, we work with you to find the contractor that is best suited for you and your project. Simply click here to complete our FREE REPLACEMENT WINDOW ESTIMATE QUOTE FORM and have the Window Buyers Guide staff contact you about your windows.