Sunday, May 20, 2012

Looking For An Alternative To Wood Or Vinyl Windows? Consider A Composite Material Instead

Searching for the right window for your home is a time consuming process and it's one that many homeowners don't take lightly. Before you commit yourself to a style that you'll be living with for years to come, take a moment to learn a little bit about the options that are available. While wood, vinyl and aluminum were all valid choices in the past for the exterior surfaces of a window, homeowners can now choose to use a new composite material with a number of benefits.

What Windows And Doors Were Made Of Previously

Years ago, homeowners had three main exterior choices when they were installing new windows and doors. The most commonly used were vinyl, aluminum and untreated wood. While vinyl is still used today, aluminum and bare wood are no longer used. Aluminum can transfer quite a bit of heat that can lead to severe expansion when the temperature rises. Wood isn't a good choice either because the harsh weather elements can damage the exterior frame. Vinyl, on the other hand, does not transfer heat and stands up to rain, snow, wind and other elements so homeowners will likely find a windows company that uses it today.

Why Vinyl Is No Longer The Only Choice

For years, this was the best choice, but many homeowners are now choosing to work with a new material for a window's exterior. This composite material is made from reclaimed wood fiber and a special thermoplastic polymer. The substance was first used in the early 1990s and the window manufacturer that created it has patented its special formula. Because the wood fiber has been reclaimed, this composite material is an excellent choice for homeowners who are trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Benefits Of Composite Material On An Exterior Window

Once window replacement companies realized the benefits of this material, they quickly started recommending it to their customers. The composite blocks the transfer of heat 700 times more than aluminum, making it an excellent choice for homeowners who are interested in saving money on their heating and cooling bills.

Additionally, it is incredibly strong -- twice as strong as vinyl -- which means many homeowners find that they don't need to replace their windows and doors as often when they choose a window with a composite exterior. The thermoplastic polymer helps the windows and doors resist decay, fungal growth and rot and it's guaranteed not to corrode, blister, peel, flake or pit.

If you need to update your home's windows and doors, realize that your choices go far beyond regular vinyl. Ask your windows company about which manufacturers offer this unique composite material for your house and whether they recommend it for your home. When you're pricing out a home improvement project such as window replacement, ask your contractor to provide you with numbers for all options, but don't stop there. Ask to compare energy efficiency, the length of time before you can expect to replace them again and more before making your final selection.

Opal Enterprises provides many home improvement services, including installing Elmhurst windows. To ensure customers are receiving the best, this Wheaton windows company uses the right Naperville windows and doors for each home. To see a gallery of finished projects, visit their site.


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