Are Vinyl Windows OK in Cold Climates?

Vinyl

• A vinyl window's framing material, the material around the glass panes and the material around any parts that move are all made from hard vinyl. It's typically not pure vinyl, though; it has chemicals added that improve the material's ultraviolet resistance. Vinyl also contains colorants, and the frame of vinyl windows is a uniform color that cannot be painted. This is normally considered a bonus to vinyl as a material, since painting windows is difficult and tedious.

Insulation

• Vinyl windows offer effective insulation, which is important for protecting your home against the cold and keeping the heat in. Because vinyl is a plastic, it's easily shaped. This allows for hollow spaces inside of the window frame. Because air is a poor conductor of heat, this empty space actually helps prevent heat from escaping by transferring through the material. Vinyl itself is a good insulator and will prevent heat from escaping; in contrast, aluminum conducts heat well and more easily moves heat from the inside to the outside of your home.

Temperature

• When the temperature becomes very cold, many materials shrink very slightly. This shrinkage can be enough to cause problems or damage to a building. Of the major materials used for window framing, vinyl is the material that shrinks the most in cold temperatures. Over time, this can cause the vinyl to warp, letting in air through gaps between the frame and the glass or making it more difficult to open and close the window. In addition, while you can install windows during cold weather, vinyl is more brittle when cold and can break from rough or improper handling.

Purchase

• If you live in a cold climate and want vinyl windows, there are a few qualities that you can look for in an optimal window. The corners of the vinyl framing can either screw together or can be heat-welded together during the manufacturing process. The heat-welded type holds up better to temperature changes. Be sure to choose good-quality windows, since these will more likely be designed well with the natural expansion and contraction of vinyl in mind; check the warranty on your windows. You may also be interested in vinyl clad-wood framing, which offers some of the convenience of both materials.