Vinyl Vs. Metal Replacement Windows

Vinyl

• The major material used to manufacture vinyl window frames is polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. The key benefit to using vinyl for window frames is that it is flexible, as opposed to metal or wood framed widows. As a result, homeowners and installers can customize the opening more easily and select from a variety of styles and shapes for window frames and install widows with a tight fit. Vinyl frames also require little maintenance, are more resistant to rust, and corrosion, provide a facing that is uniform in color and are not as prone to swelling, shrinking or peeling.

Metal

• Metal window frames provide a strong, but lightweight framing material for window installations. They have rigid properties that can prove beneficial when installing windows that are customized in terms of their size or shape to ensure the framing surrounding the glass panes is structurally sound. For example, if you are installing an odd-shaped pane, such as a hexagon, a metal frame can adhere to the design and keep the glass in place. It will also secure the glass in the event of extreme weather conditions where the wind blows strongly or the window framing must be able to withstand strong moisture-related conditions such as a hurricane or snowstorm.

Similarities

• As long as you live in an environment where exposure to moisture is periodic, but not the mainstay, you can be relatively safe by going with either vinyl or metal framed windows. Both types are manufactured to conform to standard rectangular shapes and openings for double or single hung windows. Each type can also accommodate any type of glass you choose, from single to double paned glass, and tinted glass to reduce solar energy transmissions. You can also install insulation between either types of window framing between the exterior and interior walls to make each type of framing equal in terms of its energy efficiency.

Differences

• Climate and weather conditions are key considerations that affect the choice of going with a vinyl or metal window framing material. If you live in a climate where windows will be exposed to longer periods of water and humidity, a metal framing will be more susceptible to corrosion. As a result, condensation might appear earlier in the lifespan of metal framing compared to vinyl framing in a moist climate. On the other hand, if you live in a dry climate, the sealants used to adhere vinyl to the exterior and interior walls of a home can dry and crack over time, producing gaps between vinyl framing and the wall materials. A gap of any kind will reduce a home’s energy efficiency. Warm air will invade the home during warm weather, and cool air will come in during winter. And if noise reduction is a consideration, metal framing will provide a stronger barrier in comparison to vinyl.