If you are concerned about your home’s energy efficiency because your house has drafts and your winter heating bills are high, your windows could be to blame. Replacing your windows can make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills.
You have several options when it comes to replacement windows. Two of the most common materials are vinyl and aluminum. Aladdin recommends vinyl replacement windows for homes in Connecticut. Vinyl offers several advantages when compared to aluminum.
Vinyl Windows Are More Energy-Efficient and Produce Less Condensation
Vinyl windows are more energy-efficient than aluminum. Aluminum windows can bring heat and cold from the outside into the house. They need to be protected with thermal breaks to make them more energy-efficient.
Vinyl windows have less condensation than aluminum windows. Heat transfer that occurs with aluminum windows creates condensation, especially in colder regions. If condensation seeps between the windows and walls, it can cause mold, mildew, and rot.
Vinyl Windows Are More Durable Than Aluminum
Vinyl replacement windows are more durable than windows made from aluminum. Vinyl is very resistant to scratching, cracking, and denting. The surface of aluminum windows is more vulnerable to scratching or cracking if it is painted or powder-coated. Aluminum windows are also more likely to become dented.
The steel or zinc fasteners that are used for aluminum windows can react with aluminum and corrode over time. This does not occur with vinyl windows. Aluminum windows can pit and fate. That does not happen with vinyl windows.
Vinyl Looks Better Than Aluminum and Is Easier to Maintain
Vinyl replacement windows generally have a more attractive appearance than aluminum windows. Vinyl windows have a wood-grain appearance that is popular with many Connecticut homeowners. To create a similar effect on aluminum windows, a coating treatment is used that is inferior to vinyl.
Vinyl windows are offered with a variety of finishes and cannot be painted. Aluminum windows can be painted, but there is a possibility that the paint could become chipped, exposing the metal under it. If vinyl windows get scratched or chipped, the exposed part will look the same since vinyl windows are made from the same material throughout the entire window.
Vinyl windows are easier to maintain than aluminum. They never need to be painted or stained. Aluminum windows require regular maintenance if they are painted. They also need to be lubricated because their moving parts are metal against metal.
Get an Estimate for Vinyl Replacement Windows from Aladdin
Aladdin has been serving homeowners across Connecticut for over 60 years. If you are considering replacing the windows in your home, vinyl windows can improve your home’s energy efficiency. Vinyl windows typically cost less than aluminum windows. They are also more resistant to damage and easier to maintain than aluminum.
