Energy Efficient Windows: The Window Frame Materials And Their Effect On Energy Efficiency | Dallas, TX
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Energy costs keep increasing year-in-year-out. It makes many Dallas, TX, homeowners become deeply concerned by the winter home heating costs and the cooling costs in summer. The ever-increasing energy bills beg the question, how can the homeowner reduce the energy bills?
Energy efficient windows have become a vital topic among various homeowners. To keep the house energy efficient, you need to ensure that the air conditioner is not overwhelmed when cooling your house in summer or warming it in winter. In other words, any homeowner should invest in insulating their homes and installing energy efficient windows.
However, although these windows insulate your home, their effectiveness can be inhibited by one culprit, the material making the frames. Unfortunately, most people overlook it during window installation. Below are the common window frame materials you can use in your Dallas-based home and their effect on the windows.
1. Wood
Wood is among the commonly used materials for making window frames. One of the best properties of wood is its poor heat conductivity. Its poor conductivity means it can be used to build energy efficient windows that are high-performing.
Repairing the wooden window frames is easy, while they may be painted to your aesthetic requirements. However, wood is highly susceptible to rot, but it can be treated by wood manufacturers using solutions that help prevent rotting by repelling the moisture. While wooden windows may be relatively expensive, they make the house more appealing outside and inside.
2. Vinyl
Like wood, this is another poor heat conductor, explaining vinyl is popular in making energy efficient window frames. On top of that, vinyl is a water-resistant product. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the rotting of your window frame. Vinyl products, including window frames, are easy to maintain.
Window frames made from vinyl have only one disadvantage. They fade with time, especially if you had chosen dark-colored ones. Therefore, we advise you to choose a lighter color when you decide to install the energy efficient windows using vinyl frames.
If they turn darker with time, you can restore the vinyl frame’s finish using a soft scrub cleansing material. What is worth noting is that compared to wooden frames, vinyl window frames are more affordable. However, both have the same energy efficiency.
3. Steel
Steel is among the toughest materials on the earth. Therefore, window frames made from steel are the hardest and likely the most durable you will ever come across. However, one fundamental problem with steel products is that they are susceptible to corrosion.
Therefore, it becomes an enormous challenge to maintain window frames made from steel. Next, steel has excellent heat conductivity. Thus, it cannot be trusted to make energy efficient windows, as you may hear from some manufacturers.
Your steel-made window frames may last and remain vital for years. However, buying steel window frames is the worst choice you can make for energy efficiency. Some manufacturers insulate the parts using various materials to improve their energy efficiency, but it does not come to the levels of wood or vinyl-based frames.
4. Composite
The next window frame material to consider is composite. The window frames made of the composite are also poor conductors of heat. Thus, they are essential in reducing the amount of heat entering your home during summer. They also prevent the escape of heat inside your house, which is particularly vital in winter.
Composite window frames have a variety of colors. Although window frames made of composite are similar to wooden ones, they might not be as appealing to the people inside your house. Hence, some manufacturers use wood on the inner side of your window frame and composite materials on the outer parts. It leverages the importance of both materials to increase the comfort of your home. Therefore, you can trust a combination of the two to make energy efficient windows.
Purchasing a composite window frame will cost you similar to purchasing a vinyl one. Therefore, your aesthetic goals can determine your choice between both window frames.
5. Aluminum
If your primary motivation is strength and durability, you can choose aluminum. However, this choice has one drawback; aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. Therefore, aluminum-based window frames are not the best in conserving energy.
The other advantage of aluminum window frames is that they encourage condensation, leading to various moisture-related problems like frosting in winter. Thus, although window frames made of aluminum are among the cheapest and most durable, you cannot trust them to build energy efficient windows. Therefore, if energy efficiency is your primary concern, avoid aluminum-based window frames. They will draw all the heat from your house during winter and reverse the process during summer, cooling and warming your house, respectively.
6. Fiberglass
Some window manufacturers offer window frames fabricated using fiberglass as an alternative to vinyl or wooden window frames. However, these frames cost more to maintain as you have to paint them frequently. Finding energy-efficient fiberglass windows is difficult. When you find some, they cost higher than vinyl or wooden ones.
Are you torn between fiberglass and vinyl windows? It is more economical to go with vinyl-based energy efficient options as they are cheaper. They will also do a better job of keeping your home temperatures comfortable throughout.
Energy Efficient Window Repair, Replacement and Installation services in Dallas, TX
It is now apparent that, when shopping for energy efficient windows, the material that makes the frame should be among the most crucial factors to consider. Although some frames are more robust and durable, like aluminum and steel, you need to consider their heat conductivity. The two are good conductors of heat, meaning you cannot trust them to make your windows.
From this list, the only two materials that you can trust with your windows if energy efficiency is your primary concern are the vinyl- and wood-based frames. The two types of window frames are poor heat conductors, meaning they will improve the heat efficiency of your home.
Are you looking for a window repair, replacement, or installation technician in Dallas, TX? Energy Window Solutions is a Dallas-based company that offers the services above with energy efficient windows. Our technicians are vastly experienced in installation and repairs, meaning they can make your home energy efficient within no time. Trust us to make your home comfortable in all four seasons, especially in summer and winter.
Call us today or visit our website to learn more about us and our services.