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Finding Better Windows For My Home

A Quick Guide To Your Top 5 Window Frame Material Choices

4 January 2017

Michele Kuhn

If you are shopping for new windows for your home, you need to think carefully about what type of material you want the frame around the window to be made of. This is just as important as the type of glass that you order for the window. Here is a quick guide to your top five window frame material choices.

#1 Vinyl

If you are looking for a framing material that is very affordable and will not require you to invest a lot of time on upkeep, you should consider vinyl. Vinyl window frames generally only need to be wiped off with a damp towel to keep them clean and in shape or cleaned with some mild dishwashing soap if they are really dusty or dirty.

Vinyl window frames can be purchased in a variety of different colors, so you can choose a color that matches the inside and outside of your home. However, long-term exposure to sunlight will eventually fade the color of your vinyl frame over the years.

#2 Aluminum

Another affordable window frame material is aluminum. Aluminum frames tend to be really strong and durable, and last a long time. Like vinyl, they require minimal maintenance, you only need to clean them off every once in a while.

The biggest downside to an aluminum frame is that aluminum conducts heat and cold, which means if you touch your window frame when it is really cold outside, the frame and air around it will feel cold, and if you touch your window frame when it is really hot outside, the frame and air around it will feel warm.

#3 Wood

Wood frames tend to cost more than vinyl or aluminum frames, although the ultimate cost generally depends what type of wood choose to use for your window frame. Wood is a great material to use because it really helps keep your home insulated, and doesn't allow heat or cold to seep in around your windows.

However, in order to protect the wood from becoming rotten over time, you need to do more to keep up with the maintenance of it. You will need to stain the wood and ensure that it is well protected at all times to get the most usable life out of your wood window frames.

#4 Clad

Clad window frames are a mixture of the three types of window frames listed above. The outside of the window frame, that is exposed to the natural elements, is made out of either aluminum or vinyl. The inside of the window frame is made out of wood. This allows you to enjoy the low-maintenance and durability of having vinyl and/or aluminum on the outside of your home, as well having the insulating effect and visual appeal of wood inside of your home. This type of window frame tends to be more expensive, but allows you to enjoy multiple options all at once.

#5 Composites

Finally, there are composite window frames. These type of window frames are made out of a variety of materials. They tend to be strong and require low maintenance like vinyl or aluminum, while having more of the insulating properties of wood frames. Composite frames can also be painted so you can change the appearance to match the different look of your home inside and outside.

To learn more about your options, contact a company like Gilkey Windows.

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