Vinyl replacement windows are one of the most popular home improvement projects today. They increase energy efficiency, reduce noise and raise the property value of your home. With all of these benefits, vinyl windows are relatively inexpensive compared to fiberglass and wood windows. Installation is also less intrusive than a full frame replacement.
Vinyl windows vary wildly in quality of craftsmanship. The two main things to look for in vinyl windows are how the joints are fastened and the color of the vinyl. Joints are usually bonded together in two different ways. One is to use braces, screws and caulk to join each corner. River City Window and Door does not, and would not sell these types of windows; they just don’t hold up long enough. The other way is to weld the joints together. This gives the corners a much stronger bond than using screws but it is also more expensive to manufacture. Remember, you almost always get what you pay for. The color of the vinyl is also of great importance. To make pure white vinyl windows that will stay white for many years you need two chemicals, titanium dioxide and an organic form of tin. The quality and quantity of these two expensive ingredients will make all the difference in a window that stays white for 30 years and one that starts to yellow after 7-10 years.
As with everything, the more a product costs to manufacture, the more it is going to cost the customer. An easy way to tell if you are dealing with cheap vinyl is to look for a blue tint. Manufacturers of cheap vinyl windows will put a slight blue tint in the color that is used to buy some time with the color change. You can’t see this color change without putting a sample up against something else that is pure white. When in doubt always look for the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) certification label. We always recommend that you get several quotes before making such a large purchase. You’ll start to see real quickly which products stand out for the right reasons and which ones stand out for the wrong ones. Give us a call today and we’ll give you a fair and honest quote. We look forward to your call!
