The Homeowner’s Complete Guide to Window Materials

We demand a lot from our home’s windows. They not only usher in fresh air and natural light but also help keep out the wet and cold. And we expect them to function well for decades. For centuries, windows were only made from wood. Today, consumers have many options to choose from, including aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl.

Here’s a look at the differences between these four materials, along with the pros and cons of how they perform.

Wood Windows

Wood is a traditional material choice for windows. Attractive and durable, they offer excellent insulation. But they also require regular maintenance to keep them looking and performing their best.

Disadvantages to wood windows include:

• Paint and stain touchups and weather barrier coatings are often needed to protect wood from warping and rotting due to natural elements exposure.
• They’re also not the best choice for homes located near a coastline, as the salt air can cause pitting and staining.
• Termites love wood windows, which makes it doubly important to keep up on maintenance.

Wood windows are also the most expensive option, but they don’t rust and can last a lifetime — as long as you’re willing and able to maintain them.

Aluminum Windows

When they hear “aluminum windows,” most people think back to the cheap, flimsy models of the 1960s to 1980s. Today’s aluminum windows are a lot stronger and can last a long time if properly maintained. They’re less expensive than wood but cost more compared to vinyl.

One of the top-selling points of aluminum windows is their low maintenance. A major downside is they’re not as energy-efficient as other windows, as aluminum conducts heat more than any other building material. That can be a problem if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures in the winter.

While aluminum isn’t prone to warping, it can eventually corrode, especially if installed in coastal area homes. Corrosion-resistant paint can lessen the risk of decay.

Fiberglass Windows

Lighter and stiffer than wood and as low-maintenance as vinyl, fiberglass replacement windows are unaffected by temperature fluctuations. They’re available in custom sizes, have durable UV-blocking coatings, and a wide color selection. Built to last, they come with similar options and offer similar energy efficiency ratings as most vinyl windows. However, fiberglass windows do typically carry a higher price tag than vinyl models. But if you don’t mind spending a bit more, fiberglass windows are a great choice.

Vinyl Windows

When you’re looking for attractive, durable, and low-maintenance replacement windows, you don’t need to search further than vinyl. Made from an incredibly strong plastic material called PVC, vinyl doesn’t rust, corrode, or separate.

Advantages of vinyl windows include:

• They come in an abundance of sizes, styles, and exterior colors and can be manufactured to mimic a classic wood look.
• Vinyl frame corners and sashes are airtight, which keeps your utility bills low and your home comfortable all year long.
• They’re practically maintenance-free. You don’t need to touch them up with paint or stain, and you can easily clean them with just a little soap and water.

Vinyl windows also deliver the biggest bang for your buck. Properly installed, they’re designed to last and offer excellent energy efficiency, particularly if you choose our double-pane windows with high-performance low-E coatings.

Which Window Material Is Best for Your Home?

When choosing a replacement window material, it helps to make a list of which features matter most to you, always keeping in mind the level of upkeep and maintenance you’ll need to do.

All Zen Windows locations offer vinyl windows, and some offer fiberglass windows as well. We offer these materials because we believe they offer the best balance of form and function. We’d be happy to tell you more about these durable, efficient materials; contact your closest location to find out more! Our team is ready to answer any questions you might have about window materials and options.

How to Choose Energy-Efficient Windows

Winter is right around the corner, and if your home has older windows, that often means chilly drafts, cold spots, and condensation problems. More importantly, it means higher heating costs and a less comfortable home for your family. If you are considering replacement windows to address these issues, here are a few tips that can help you choose the most efficient windows for your needs.

Select the Best Glass for Your Climate

The type of glass in your windows can have a huge impact on their energy efficiency. When possible, choose dual- or triple-pane glass. These windows have more than one pane of glass with an air pocket between them, creating an insulating layer that is far more effective as a buffer against the cold than a single pane of glass. Filling that space with an inert gas like argon increases the insulating effect even more, keeping your home comfortable for longer with less energy. Low-E glass is another way to increase the efficiency of your windows. It reduces the amount of infrared radiation that can pass through your windows, which keeps your home cooler in the summer.

To maximize your energy savings, look for windows with a low U-factor, which represents the amount of heat that can be physically conducted through the window. In hot climates, choose a window with a low solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, which indicates how much heat you can expect to gain from the sun. In cool climates where passive heating is desired during the winter, look for windows with a high SHGC.

Choosing the Best Window Frames

Wood window frames offer decent insulation, but they can easily warp, twist, and rot with exposure to the elements, and they need constant repainting and upkeep to avoid damage. Aluminum windows conduct heat easily into and out of your home. For the best efficiency, consider vinyl or fiberglass windows. Both offer great thermal performance and air sealing, plus they are low maintenance. Choose windows with insulated frames and quality warm-edge seals for the best efficiency, and choose fusion-welded frames for the best seal and greatest durability.

Selecting the Most Efficient Window Styles

If you want to keep out drafts, windows that do not open, like picture windows, are a great choice, but many homeowners enjoy a bit of a breeze and some fresh air during nice weather. For the most efficient operable windows, choose casement windows, awning windows, or hopper windows, as their seals are reliably simple and effective. Double-hung windows are more complex and require several seals to block air infiltration, as they only have one operable sash to seal.

Other Tips to Increase the Efficiency of Your Windows

Adding heavy curtains or drapes to your windows can help to seal out drafts and prevent heat loss during the winter. Simply close them at night to keep the heat contained, then open them during sunny days to take advantage of free solar heating. Inspect weatherstripping on doors and windows often and replace it as necessary to keep out drafts.

Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows From Zen Windows

Are you ready to upgrade your windows? Choose energy-efficient vinyl or fiberglass replacement windows from our team at Zen Windows. We offer a range of frame and glass options to maximize the performance of the windows for your climate, and we make the buying process as easy as possible with fast, free quotes, a hassle-free sales process,[DisplayIfSet group=”Additional_Pages” setting=”financing”] great financing options with no money down,[/DisplayIfSet][DisplayIfSet group=”Additional_Pages” setting=”warranties”] and a lifetime warranty on all our replacement windows[/DisplayIfSet].

Call Zen Windows today or contact us online to request your free, no-obligation window replacement quote from your closest Zen Windows distributor.

Why Is There Condensation on My Windows?

Ideally, the windows in your home will provide a great view while keeping the interior warm in the winter and cool in the summer. So, when you see condensation on your windows, which happens when humid air meets a cool surface, you may wonder if they are effectively keeping the cold at bay.

What Causes Condensation?

Condensation is a natural phenomenon that occurs when hot, humid air meets a cool surface. Hot air can absorb more moisture than cool air, so when hot, humid air cools rapidly, it leaves behind liquid water. This happens frequently in bathrooms during a shower, where the cooler surface of the mirror will cause water to condense out of the air.

Condensation can happen anywhere there is a cooler surface and moisture in the air. Inside your home, the air is constantly being filled with moisture from activities like showering, cooking, or simply breathing. Because windows are located on the exterior walls and they have less insulation than the wall itself, they tend to be colder than the rest of the room, creating a natural spot for condensation to form. Even the best windows will lose some heat to the outside during cool weather, and every window is a balance between great views and energy efficiency.

Interior vs. Exterior Condensation

Condensation on the inside of the windows occurs due to humid air inside the home and colder temperatures outside. If it happens often, it may be a sign that your home has significant humidity and ventilation problems, or that your windows are poorly insulated. Excessive condensation can lead to water damage and mold growth, so it is a good idea to tackle any humidity problems promptly.

Condensation can also form on the outside of your windows in rare cases where the air is warmer and just a bit humid outside and your windows are cooler than the air temperature. This shows that your windows are working well to limit heat transfer between the interior and exterior.

If condensation forms between the panes of glass in your windows, this shows that the seals in your windows are faulty. Dual-pane and triple-pane windows feature a sealed space between the panes that is filled with an inert gas like argon or krypton. This acts as an insulating layer to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. If these seals have failed, it is best to repair or replace the window.

How to Reduce Condensation in Your Home

Reducing humidity can go a long way toward preventing condensation. Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom when you are showering or bathing, and turn on the exhaust hood when you are cooking. If your home does not have an exhaust fan in the bathroom or a hood over the kitchen stove, it is wise to install one. Meanwhile, open windows as necessary to improve ventilation when bathing or cooking. Make sure that your HVAC system is serviced and working properly as well, as it helps to control humidity, and if humidity is still a problem, consider adding a dehumidifier.

If old, damaged, or inefficient windows are the primary cause of the condensation problem, replace the weatherstripping and make sure they are insulated and caulked properly. Otherwise, consider upgrading your windows to modern, energy-efficient replacement windows. Choose quality windows for the greatest performance, and select a skilled, professional contractor to make sure that they are installed and insulated properly.

A quality installation can improve the performance of any window, and at Zen Widows, we offer both top-quality replacement windows and energy-efficient, professional window installations.

Quality Replacement Windows for Your Home

Our team at Zen Windows makes the process of buying replacement windows easy with fast quotes, quality products, and great financing options. Our company features:

• Top-quality vinyl and fiberglass replacement windows
• Fast, accurate, free window replacement quotes
• Energy-efficient, professional window installations
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• Impressive financing options with no money down
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• Lifetime material and labor warranties on all our windows
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Are you ready to upgrade your old, inefficient windows? Call today or contact your local Zen Windows dealer to request a free, no-obligation window replacement quote!