Vinyl windows have been around for several years and, today, they are easily the most popular choice thanks to their many benefits. These windows offer homeowners the most practical solution as well as durability, beauty, and more. There are, however, a number of myths and misconceptions making the rounds, and this can be discouraging. If you are considering upgrading your home windows, here’s the truth about vinyl frames.
Vinyl Windows Affect The Structure Of The House
This is quite a common misconception, unfortunately. It is by no means true, and many prospective vinyl window buyers choose different windows while under the wrong impression. The key, whenever installing any window, is to do so properly. When it’s time to make that change, it’s good to get a professional crew out to perform to installation. Not only will they remove the old window with care, but they will also perform a flawless installation. Thanks to their professional experience, the only part of your home that will be affected is the window itself. The rest of the wall will not be touched. That said, if there is structural damage due to an old leaky window, this can mean that more extensive work is required. This has no bearing on the structural stability of the vinyl windows because the building was already made unstable due to water infiltration.
Vinyl Is A Poor Insulator
All homeowners are concerned about energy efficiency. This is most important during the colder winter months, but it’s also significant during the summer. If you don’t have an air cooling system, you will want to do everything in your power to keep your home as cool as you can. If you do have an air conditioner, then you don’t want it to work overtime in the summer. Vinyl windows are great for insulation. Some of these windows even have U-values of 0.5 to 0.2. The lower this U-value, the better insulation you will enjoy.
Fire Risk
When choosing windows, you will have the choice of metal, wood, and vinyl. Metal is clearly not the best idea due to insulation issues and wood is obviously flammable. Vinyl, on the other hand, offers great insulation and it’s not nearly as flammable as wood. Wooden frames, particularly the older ones, are far more likely to burn at a rapid rate than vinyl. Sure, if the whole house is on fire, then your vinyl windows most likely won’t survive. This does not mean that vinyl windows put your house more at risk. In fact, in the event of a fire, vinyl burns far slower than wood.
Vinyl Cannot Be Recycled
This is completely false, and this misconception has many homeowners concerned. Vinyl has been used in many products for several years. Today, almost all of the vinyl in circulation today has been recycled. This means that the prices can be kept as low as possible, and it’s a plus for the environment as well.
Vinyl is bad for the environment
Just like the point mentioned above, this is another false rumor started to detour the public from purchasing vinyl products. According to various studies, the dioxin levels found in vinyl are so low that they have no effect on anyone or anything.
No Real Color Choices
White is the most popular color when buying vinyl windows. This is simply because it blends in well with a variety of designs (both inside and outside the home). It’s important to know that vinyl windows come in a wide range of colors, and your provider can help you make the best choice if you’re unsure.
At NorthShield Windows and Doors, we offer a wide range of vinyl doors to suit your design preferences and personal needs. Call us today for a free estimate in the comfort of your home.