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Choosing the right window frame material for your home

Comparing initial cost, durability and maintenance requirements

When it comes to replacing your windows, what initially seems cheap may not turn out to be so. Take the time to discover the right option. It may save you a lot in time and money in the long run. Remember, your local building codes will also be important in determining the type of frame material you can use.

Wood

For many people, either for building restrictions or for aesthetic reasons, wood will be the only option. Wood frames have a high initial cost but are extremely durable if well looked after. They will require at least annual treatment, including sanding and varnishing or painting to ensure they do not become porous and absorb humidity.

Aluminum and Vinyl-Cladding

To reduce maintenance costs and increase durability, wood frames may be aluminum or vinyl-clad. The cost of this is high but the result is a window frame that will last for years and that require very little attention.

Aluminum

The cheapest window frames are made of aluminum. However this initial low cost might not be the whole story. While requiring very little or no annual maintenance some of the cheaper models tend to lose their luster after a few years and begin to look tired. There are new types and styles of aluminum windows now available on the market with stylish designs and thermally improved to improve heat loss. These however are more expensive.

Steel

Steel window frames are a mid-priced solution with good durability. They do however require periodic substantial maintenance including sanding, rust-proofing and painting. Steel window frames are generally found in older houses and in office or commercial buildings where fire regulations make them a requirement.

Vinyl

The other mid-priced solution, again with more than acceptable durability, is vinyl. Vinyl frames were originally used to add a second pane of glass to an existing window, so improving energy-efficiency. The advantage of vinyl is that it requires very little maintenance and can be used to change parts of windows or the complete unit. If however you wish to change the color of your frames you'll have to buy new frames; vinyl window frames cannot be painted.

Not all vinyl frames are the same, and there are wide variations in quality. If you look at the cross-section of a vinyl window frame you will be able to tell the quality of the extrusion. Insulation in the vinyl frame comes from the honeycomb effect that creates pockets of dead air. The strength of the frame will depend on the number cells with the extruded frame. Quality vinyl frames will have up to 13 chambers, while cheap ones will have as few as five.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass frames are typically made from mix of fiberglass and polyester resin, or other composite material, and are extremely tough, very durable, maintenance free and energy efficient. Unlike vinyl frames they can be painted. You can expect to pay quite a bit more for fiberglass frame than vinyl frames however.

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