It’s hard to imagine a house with no windows. There would be no passage for sunlight and breeze, no visual access to your lawn and garden and no way for your friends to sneak in during the night. While providing you with all these perks, your windows also insulate your home to keep it energy-efficient. It is, therefore, only right that you invest in high-quality windows and have them installed by qualified experts like Muller Exteriors.
When choosing windows, you will come across different types, each of which has a different mechanism, structure and frame. It’s quite easy to choose windows based on their mechanism or structure because blueprints usually specify the ideal type of window for each room of your house. When it comes to the frame, however, things can be a little trickier as your choice will go with all the windows in your home regardless of their mechanism and structure, so you have to pick a frame that works for all types of window. Here are some of the most common types of window frame that you can choose from.
Wood
Many homes in Chicago have windows made of wooden frame. This type of window frame is popular for its natural and classic appeal, which you won’t find in any other material. Despite being organic and natural, wooden frames can last for many years if well-maintained. The only problem with wooden window frames is that they require serious maintenance, considering that they are the target of insects and pests. Wooden window frame maintenance may range from regular cleanup to recoating to protect their surface from moisture.
Vinyl
If you want window frames that are less expensive than wooden frames yet equally appealing, opt for vinyl replacement windows. Their frames are made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC’s), a type of plastic that is also used for making pipes. It can be made into various styles and designs, which is perfect if you are looking for windows that will match your home architecture perfectly. Unfortunately, vinyl isn’t as durable as wood. When exposed to the sun, its color will slowly fade away. Unlike wood that you can varnish to bring back its fresh-looking self, vinyl has to be completely replaced after a while since it cannot be recoated.
Aluminum
Unlike wood and vinyl, aluminum doesn’t shrink, split or fade. This means it won’t develop gaps that could weaken your home’s insulation. Unlike steel and cast iron, aluminum is more resistant to corrosion. This means aluminum window frames are made to last for a long time even with low maintenance. Then again, you should also expect that your windows will look a bit modern, so it may not be the ideal choice if you want a rustic appeal for your home.
Fiberglass
This is arguably the most durable among all available window frame materials, even more durable than aluminum. It’s very easy to maintain, a great insulator and extremely resistant to sound. Unfortunately, because of its many perks, it is also very expensive, which is why most homeowners prefer other window frame types. Furthermore, it looks like PVC and you can’t quickly fix it by coating.
Window replacement is a costly project. To find out when to replace home windows, consult with an expert installer such as Muller Exteriors. In fact, leave the replacement job to them because they specialize in it. You don’t want to install your home windows on your own only to encounter problems in the future that you will end up seeking professional repair service for.
