Vinyl window frames are very popular. They’re affordable, they’re easy to clean, and they’re easy to maintain. But, like any material, it has its setbacks. This is particularly true in places like Vancouver which can experience a great range of temperatures throughout the year.
We’ll quickly look at the pros and cons of vinyl windows, and then show you the best alternative to vinyl windows for Vancouver.
Vinyl Windows Pros & Cons
Pros of Vinyl Windows
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As stated above, vinyl is very cost-effective. It’s substantially cheaper than aluminum or wooden frames. This is part of what makes it such an attractive option for many people.
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Cleaning vinyl frames is much easier and quicker than wood and aluminum as well. It’s less prone to staining and most marks can be easily wiped off.
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Vinyl also has fairly good insulating properties. It’s a much better insulator than, say, aluminum, which has a much higher thermal conductivity rating than vinyl.
Cons of Vinyl Windows
While vinyl enjoys many benefits, there are some major downsides.
One of the biggest issues, especially when considering vinyl windows in Vancouver, BC, is vinyl’s propensity to warp and sag. This is particularly noticeable in darker vinyl, which absorbs more heat over time. Once the vinyl starts to sag, it loses much of its insulating benefits largely because large gaps start to form around the frame.
Vinyl also has fewer styling options than some other materials, limiting its usefulness in different types of houses. While function should always come first, aesthetics are an important consideration whenever building and renovating a home.
The Best Vinyl Windows Alternatives
The most well-known window alternatives to vinyl are wood or aluminum windows.
- Wood is sturdy and strong but will rot over time when exposed to the elements. Vancouver’s biting cold during winter is particularly harsh on wooden frames.
- Aluminum is likewise strong but lacks the insulating properties of vinyl or wood.
The ideal alternative, if you’re on the market for vinyl frames, is Fibrex. Fibrex is made of a combination of wood pulp and PVC. This gives it the strength of wood, the weather resistance of plastic, and the insulating properties of wood and vinyl. It withstands the extremes of temperature that vinyl can’t, and to top it all off, it’s environmentally friendly — all the wood pulp is sourced from sawdust left over from wood manufacturing
Fibrex windows are also 2x stronger than vinyl windows and are virtually maintenance-free.
If you’re looking for an affordable, long-lived, insulating material for your windows, contact us today and ask about the best alternative to vinyl windows; Fibrex.
