What Type of Replacement Windows Are Best

As a homeowner, there are times you may need to replace your windows, it may not be something that happens often but it is sure to happen within the lifetime of owning your home. When you've made the decision to replace your windows, you may be wondering what type of replacement windows are best, this is an important question especially if you have never replaced your windows before.

To help answer this question we usually start from the why. Research has shown that there are a variety of reasons why homeowners may want to replace their windows. In this article, we will address these questions, we will also look at the various kinds of window materials and their characteristics so you can take a better-informed decision.

Table of Contents

• What type of replacement windows are best
• Types of replacement windows by material
• How to determine what type of replacement windows are best for your home
• List of replacement window brands

What Type of Replacement Windows are Best

The first place to start as a homeowner is knowing why you are replacing your windows, if you know why you can then go ahead to scale down to the choice that correctly solves your problems. To answer your question on why you need to replace your windows here are common reasons why homeowners replace their windows.

Better-looking windows: Perhaps you are looking to improve the curb appeal of your home and increase the value of your home. 

Windows don't open: This  is common with faulty windows that have been consistently problematic even with the replacement of parts. 

Windows not up to code: You may want to replace your windows because they do not abide by the current building codes. 

Air leaks: This is a common reason why you may want to replace your windows, windows that permit air leaks are drafty and increase the cost of heating your home.

Heat loss: This is also another reason that is related to the above reason, when windows leak air, heat also goes out.

Corrosion and rust: These twin issues may be a reason you need to replace your windows, homes where this is prevalent may require new construction windows instead of just replacing the window sash.

Requires too much maintenance: You may want to replace your windows because of the cost of maintenance. 

Warped Windows: This occurs when your windows are twisted out of shape due to either dampness or heat.

Rot in a wooden frame: This often occurs in wooden windows that are exposed to weather elements, when rot sets in, it damages the windows and also reduces the efficiency and curb appeal of your windows. 

Now that we have seen the various reasons , let us take a look at the different types of window materials and their characteristics.

Types of Replacement Windows by Material

A window is made up of two parts, the frame and the sash which holds the glass. When you want to replace your windows, you can either replace just the sash containing the glass in which case you retain the original window frame or you may replace both. Windows also come in different styles for example we have awning windows, double hung windows, bay windows etc, each of these windows can be made from different types of material, let us looks at the types that are  available.

Learn more: Insert Windows vs Full-Frame Replacement Windows↗

Wood Windows

Wooden windows are by far the most aesthetically appealing type of windows because they increase curb appeal and enhance the look and feel of your home. Apart from aesthetics, wooden widows provide the best type of insulation for your home. Wooden windows can last a lifetime when maintained properly and are often considered the best when you want to increase the value of your home. Even though they are great, they have some specific drawbacks which include; cost of acquisition and installation, they are also susceptible to rot and termite infestation when not maintained properly.

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows are made from PVC and are quite energy-efficient and resistant to rot, they are very popular and were produced as an alternative to wood windows. A vinyl window costs half the price of a wooden window. They are durable, resistant to peel or crack and require very low maintenance. While vinyl windows are chosen for the aforementioned characteristics, their major drawback is that they have very low customization ability, this means that you cannot easily change the colors. If you decide to change the colors, you need to be careful to avoid getting paint in the tracks, as this may cause the window to stick to the tracks.

Composite Windows

Composite windows are made from a mixture of materials, they  include resins, fiberglass, plastics, and polymers. They are desired by people who want the look and feel of wooden windows but without the maintenance required. Composite windows are very good thermal insulators and are quite durable. They offer great energy savings due to their ability to retain heat. One of the major cons of composite windows is cost, they are costlier than vinyl windows.

Clad Windows & Fiberglass Windows.

Clad windows are designed to provide the appeal and benefits of a wooden window but with an exterior covering that protects the wooden windows. The cladding  covers the exterior while the interior of the window remains exposed. They are available in aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass. Of all the variety, the fiberglass-clad window is the best and exhibits all the qualities you want in a window. This includes great energy efficiency, low thermal expansion, and also low maintenance. The one major drawback of clad windows is the cost of the cladding, higher quality cladding cost more, while low-quality cladding fades with time.

How to Determine What Type of Replacement Windows are Best for Your Home

When deciding the type of replacement windows are best for your home, there are certain considerations you need to keep in mind because they determine the type of window you will eventually buy.

Location: This is a key factor when you want to replace your windows. Where you are located and what type of weather is prevalent in your location matters, weather elements like rain, snow, sleet, and sunshine affect the durability of your windows.

Architectural design:  The architectural design of your home plays a major role in determining what type of windows you should purchase, for example, colonial homes use mainly wooden windows to compliment the traditional style of the building. 

Cost: When choosing a type of window for your home, consider what your budget is, as this determines what type of window material that you are likely to use.

Orientation: When deciding on the type of window you want to use in your home, you need to consider the orientation of the home, the orientation of your home determines the amount of light, heat and ventilation that can get into your  home. A north facing window receives twice the amount of light during winter than an east facing window. 

While it is important to have all this information at hand, it is also good you contact professional window installers to help you arrive at the best choice given your needs, considerations, and budget.

Replacement Window Brands

Alside Windows

Alside windows offer a series of vinyl windows, they have been in business for over 82 years and boast of good quality windows with energy efficiency,  they also offer composite and cladding window types.

Andersen Windows

They are the most popular and most trusted window manufacturers with about 115 years of business history. Andersen windows manufacture different types of windows with different types of materials ranging from wood, composite (Fibrex, vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass).  

Jeld-Wen

Jeld-Wen prides itself on enhancing style and elegance in your home through the windows they sell. They offer two types of window materials, wood and vinyl.

Marvin Windows

Marvin Windows is a 2021 Architizer award winner with a mission to inspire the way you live. They offer mainly clad windows that are classified into Ultimate, Modern, and Coastline. The Ultimate clad window comprises of a wooden interior and aluminum exterior, the Modern is made of exterior fiberglass and an interior low-gloss aluminum, while the Coastline is built from extruded aluminum.

NT Windows

NT windows is a company that is versed in producing vinyl and aluminum windows, they have been in operation since 1986 and pride themselves on providing energy-efficient windows with very low maintenance.

Pella Windows

Pella windows have been around since 1925 and have mastered the art of manufacturing windows that are suited for both the modern and the vintage home styles. They offer windows made from wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. They also offer a free consultation to homeowners.

Simonton Windows

They manufacture energy-efficient vinyl windows that come in different styles, they have over 70 years of experience.

Sierra Pacific Windows

Sierra pacific manufactures durable windows, they offer window products that are made mainly from wood, vinyl, and aluminum-clad windows. They are one of the oldest windows manufacturers with about 125 years of experience.

Conclusion

Replacing your windows as a homeowner may look daunting at first because of the many aspects you need to consider before making such an investment, however having the right knowledge and working with professionals makes it easy for you to arrive at the best choice for your home.