Over the last couple of decades, vinyl replacement windows have become some of the best-selling products on the market. Across the country, over 20 million vinyl windows are sold per year. And the trend is expected to continue. But despite all this popularity, there are still plenty of homeowners who are suspicious of vinyl replacement windows in Huntington Beach, CA. Here are the top five concerns:
Limited Color Options
Homeowners can get aluminum, fiberglass, and wood windows in almost any color under the sun. Why not vinyl? Where it is easy to powder coat aluminum and fiberglass or paint wood, vinyl is not a paintable material. Manufacturers produce vinyl for windows and offering a wide variety of color options is expensive and impractical. Instead, they offer a handful of neutral color options designed to match the style of most homes. This should only be a concern if homeowners want a unique color choice for their window frames. Otherwise, most people can find vinyl windows to suit the style of their home.
Warping
A lot of homeowners also worry vinyl windows will not hold up in the heat. After all, vinyl is plastic. What they do not realize is the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used for window frames has special additives that prevent thermal transfer and UV damage. Temperatures would have to reach 130 to 140 degrees or more before the material would soften and warp. That isn’t a concern in our area.
Seal Failure
Vinyl is susceptible to temperature fluctuations. It will expand slightly with heat and contract slightly in the cold. And unfortunately, with each degree of temperature increase vinyl expands seven times farther than glass. These means the seals between the frames and the glazing unit are not as stable as they would be with other materials. Eventually, vinyl replacement windows will develop air and moisture leaks. But quality vinyl windows typically last anywhere from 15 to 20 years.
Less Glass Surface
Vinyl does not have the strength of other window materials. This means manufacturers have to use more of it when constructing window frames. The wider, bulkier frame does limit the surface area of the glass. It will lessen the view and amount of natural light coming inside, but not by much. But if homeowners insist on getting smaller, more modern-looking frames they will likely have to go with aluminum or fiberglass windows.
Stripped Hardware
Again, vinyl windows are not as strong. This can make hardware a little more fragile. An example would be the cranks on casement and awning windows. Overtightening the mechanism on the cranks can break them. It is better to simply use the multipoint locking mechanism to draw the sash tight against the frame.
Where there are a few drawbacks, there are so many benefits to vinyl windows. They are energy efficient, weather resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. They are a great choice and a great value of you need replacement windows in Huntington Beach, CA. To get a quote on vinyl windows contact Seaport Windows and Doors at 4201 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720 or (714) 220-3939.
