Wood or vinyl windows

Vinyl and wood windows actually perform similarly when it comes to energy efficiency. There are three other major factors that set vinyl and wood windows apart: window maintenance, window customization options, and the price of replacement windows. Wood windows require more maintenance than vinyl windows.

Wood should be re-painted or re-stained every years to help protect them from the elements. How do you give your windows a checkup? Watch the video below for the five things you should check on your windows each year. Wood windows are more easily customized than vinyl windows. This is because they can be painted or stained. Unlike wood windows, vinyl windows can never be painted. This is not the case. Do you like the look of wood windows?

Vinyl windows can also be outfitted in a woodgrain laminate that can be color matched to match your wood floors and cabinets. Realistic looking wood laminates are available in a variety of woodgrains such as oak, cherry, and maple. Cold air will pass through the hollow spaces. Be sure to look for insulated window frames.

When it's cold outside, feel the frame of a wood window. You'll find that wood-framed windows are excellent at inhibiting the transmission of cold or heat from the outside. So wood is a great energy-saver. Vinyl replacement windows are about percent cheaper than wood windows, according to Remodeling's Cost vs. Value Report. Wood windows are costlier. Whether it is the law of supply and demand, the price of beauty, or just the fact that fewer companies make wood windows , wood windows do tend to be more expensive than vinyl windows.

With the addition of better colors besides just white and tan, vinyl windows are considered more attractive than they were in the past. The point of wood windows is usually to keep the interior natural or stained, with sealer on top, thus keeping the wood grain visible. Vinyl simply cannot duplicate this. Or, if you wish to have the look of solid colors, you can paint wood. Vinyl windows are plentiful from many different manufacturers, so it is not difficult to obtain them on schedule.

Wood windows have dwindled to a percent market share, so manufacturers and retailers do not prioritize them. Thus, it may be slower to obtain wood windows over vinyl. With vinyl windows, you'll see close to a percent return on investment when it comes time to sell the home. Wood windows have a slightly lower resale value by just a couple of percentage points. Vinyl windows are all about saving money and keeping maintenance duties at an absolute minimum. If you're trying to save money on your next window purchase, it's hard to beat vinyl windows.

If your concern is longevity, beauty, or adding resale value to your home then wood windows are the right choice. Want a product specialist to help you decide what replacement windows are best for you — click here to schedule an in-home consultation!

On wood windows, the part exposed to the weather is wrapped with another material than wood, to protect it from the elements. When wood windows weren't cladded, the outside of the window had to constantly be repaired and repainted. So, window manufacturers slowed this problem by layering the part of the window exposed to the elements with protective material.

Most window companies use aluminum cladding, which is problematic because aluminum conducts heat or cold. Yet that is still just a layer of a protective material think wrapping paper on the present and can break down over time and exposure. So, Andersen Windows developed a wood window with an outside piece that is not wood at all, but a whole piece of a composite called Fibrex. It is the best protection you can get and is the next evolution of wood windows.

We use cookies to allow us to better understand how the site is used. By continuing to use this site, you consent to this Cookies Policy. Wood vs Vinyl Windows Wood windows provide the widest alternatives and a more traditional, conventional appeal when it comes to appearance.

Casement vs. Sliding Windows: What Is the Difference? Your decision should be based on the design, energy efficiency, and ventilation.

We can help you choose the best option. Soft white and light beige have been the most commonly available colors in vinyl windows for many years. While white is a very tasteful color that can match nearly any home interior, other colors are now available for purchase.

Matching your vinyl windows to your taste and your home's interior has never been easier. Consumers seeking colors aside from white now have many options. Vinyl windows are now available in a range of colors including reds, browns, greens, blues and grays. Typically, these colors are deep and bold, similar to the type of colors people paint their home interior and exterior 1. In addition to these solid color choices, many consumers are attracted to the natural wood grain options also available.

Vinyl wood grain patterns mimic the appearance of natural wood windows but have the durability and low maintenance of vinyl. Consumers who love the beauty of wood but who have no interest in or ability to perform regular maintenance on their windows can now enjoy the best of both worlds.

Wood grain finishes are available in:. In the past, colored windows were not a possibility because vinyl can warp at temperatures of degrees Fahrenheit and above.

Darker colors like brown, red and blue absorb heat instead of reflecting it. In a normal summer, windows in these colors can become very hot and are easily warped.