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CAREFUL COMPARISON NECESSARY WHEN CHOOSING REPLACEMENT
WINDOWS*
Composites Gaining as Material of Choice Among Homeowners
WASHINGTON, D.C. – When homeowners are shopping
for replacement windows, it is important that they carefully
compare what seems to be an overwhelming myriad of choices, according
to
Martin Chaikin, CEO, The Window Place, a replacement window dealer
and contractor with locations in Bethesda and Fairfax.
"It is important that homeowners educate themselves about the various
styles and material systems available, and invest in the best
quality windows they can find within their budget, rather than simply choosing
the lowest-priced option," said Chaikin. "With so many
varieties of replacement windows on the market today with such
varying levels of quality, it is vital that consumers exercise
careful consideration when making their selection."
According to Chaikin, replacement windows currently are manufactured
in four different materials. They are wood, vinyl, aluminum,
composites, and various combinations of each. Each material
or combination
displays certain characteristics with regard to price, energy-
efficiency, maintenance and durability. "Much of the decision
can stem from what style of window homeowners are replacing, and
what type of architectural style and color they wish to have inside
and outside the home," said Chaikin.
Once the look homeowners would like to achieve is determined,
the next decision is whether to go with a stock or custom-sized
window.
Stock windows tend to be somewhat less expensive than custom
units, but require more labor-intensive installation to make
them fit,
thus negating any cost-savings, according to Chaikin. In
addition, since they must me "framed in," installing stock windows
necessitates re-painting the interior of the home around the
window opening, thus adding still further cost.
The next factor to consider when replacing windows is glass.
The modern, high-performance glass available in today's
windows is
quite heavy, having double or triple panes and a sealed
area between the panes. "Because of the ample weight of energy-efficient
glass, it behooves homeowners to select a frame that can accommodate
it," said Chaikin. "Otherwise, the window becomes dimensionally-unstable,
which can cause warping, cracking, air leaks, thermal seal failure
and glass fogging."
High-quality glass often contains a low-emissive coating
(low-E), which reduces heat transfer back through the
window. The use
of Argon gas, an inert, heavier-than -air material between
window panes, can further enhance energy-efficiency.
According to John
Morrill, of the National
Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), high
performance glass used with an inferior frame will compromise
energy savings. "It's not enough to have double- or triple-pane glass
if the frame is lousy," said Morrill.
According to The Window Place, with respect to performance
and reliability, the frame material is the most important
component of a replacement window. In a study of energy-efficient
windows
produced for the U.S. Department of Energy by the National
Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) in October 1994, composite
window frames were found to have the highest R-value (resistance
to heat loss)
of all frame materials tested. The study also found
they
are excellent for insulating and will not warp, shrink,
swell, rot or corrode.
In addition, composite frames can be finished in a
variety of colors and, due to their strength, can hold large
expanses of glass. The
study mentioned that aluminum frames, although strong,
can cause heat loss through conductivity. This
often results in
condensation which can lead to rotting wood around
the window opening. Wood frames have a higher R-value
than
aluminum
and
are
less
prone
to condensation,
but require considerable maintenance in the form of
periodic painting. If wood frames are not properly protected
from
moisture, they can
warp, crack and stick. Lastly, the research pointed
out that vinyl window frames, which are made primarily from
polyvinyl
chloride
(PVC), are easily customized and require low maintenance.
However, vinyl frames are not strong or rigid, which
limits the weight
of glass that can be used. In addition, the study pointed
out that
vinyl frames can soften, warp, twist and bow.
Quote
taken
from the following publication: DOE/CH10093-290 .
FS 216. Oct. 1994.
Note: The Department of Energy Publication
which has been cited above has been (withdrawn/replaced) by
the Department
of Energy-
(So we have been told) new document number is unknown.
The quoted material does not appear in the Department
of
Energy publication
- published on the internet. However: we did receive
the
un-altered version in print on 8/30/1996. Call
for yourself
an see
what version you get. 1-800-363-3732.
Other U.S.
government researchers have found similar results touting the
excellent performance of composite
window products.
According
to Michael McCabe, Ph.d., a Government research
scientist and Chairman of the ASHRAE Research
Subcommittee, composites are
an ideal material
from which to make window frames. In recent studies,
McCabe was impressed with the structural rigidity
of composites
in a window
application. "I consider the composite window
to be the 'state-of-the-art' window. They really
have their act together," he said. "Vinyl
lacks strength." McCabe went on to praise
composites for their ability to, unlike vinyl,
withstand extreme temperature changes
without changing its shape, its excellent insulating
properties and its resistance to condensation.
He referred to the use of composite
frames, together with high-performance glass as "a
balanced design," meaning glass and frame
work in concert to achieve energy-efficiency. "Heat
loss follows the path of least resistance and high-quality
glass placed in an inferior frame will not perform
well, and vice-versa," he said. Also, McCabe
noted that composite windows are highly resistant
to ultraviolet radiation,
which over
time can cause PVC to break down and disintegrate.
Leading national consumer publications also recently
have examined the use of various window materials
in home improvement.
In
the June 1995 issue of Popular Science, the magazine
outlined the latest
trends in window technology and stated that aluminum
is sturdy but transfers heat too readily for peak
energy efficiency,
vinyl is more energy-efficient than aluminum but
can warp and fade, and
wood is increasingly expensive and subject to rot.
In contrast, composite were described by an industry
expert as very strong, so it won't warp or twist.
The article
described how energy-efficient the material is,
and since window glass
and composite
frames expand and contract at roughly the same
nominal rate, the frame will not break the thermal
seal by
pulling away
from the
glass when temperatures fluctuate, as wood or other
materials can. An industry expert was quoted as
saying, "Composites
are the lumber of the future."
Echoing the information found in Popular Science,
Consumer Reports printed in an October 1993 article
that, while
testing vinyl
windows, "some
vinyl sash tracks became distorted during durability tests," "part
of frame or sash bowed during durability tests," and "glass
seal failed during durability tests, allowing moisture
to seep between panes."
Note: ( The above quote from Consumer Reports in
no way implies that Consumer Reports is recommending
or
endorsing
any product
or manufacturer ).
The Reader's Digest
Do It Yourself Manual notes, "All
vinyl becomes brittle in extreme cold, expands and softens in
extreme heat; wood – rot
prone, high maintenance;" and composites
–"good
insulator, rot proof, low-maintenance, withstands
heat, cold, moisture and
can be painted."
The Window Place reports that the composite
window is their best selling product, surpassing
vinyl
as the replacement
window of
choice among homeowners. The company has
received far fewer
customer service requests with composites
than with any of the several
brands of vinyl windows it installs, according
to Chaikin. "Composite
windows really are the leader of the pack when it comes to satisfying
our customers," he said. "We rarely
get callbacks on the composite products we
carry, which
makes homeowners happy
and my job easier."
According to Tom Chaikin, sales manager for
The Window Place, composites also have a
distinct "curb appeal" advantage over other
window materials. "Although the composite products are available
in standard and custom pre-finished, maintenance free colors, they
holds paint very well since they don't warp, and can be painted,
according to manufacturer's specifications, to match any decor," said
Chaikin. "With composites, the homeowner is not stuck with
the cheap-looking, shiny appearance of white PVC and does not experience
the high-maintenance of having to repaint wood windows often." According
to Chaikin, another drawback when selling a
home with vinyl windows is that since they
cannot be
painted, prospective home buyers
may feel their decorating options are limited.
Unfortunately, according to Chaikin, many
homeowners often are confused by conflicting
information
regarding replacement
windows,
especially those made from vinyl. "Some
homeowners are under the impression that one
brand of vinyl
windows is better or less
prone to performance problems than another,
but PVC is PVC -- it's as simple as that."
Another area to exercise caution, according
to Chaikin, is pricing. "The
price of windows from major manufacturers such
as Marvin and Andersen tend to be more connected
to level of quality, whereas,
with many
vinyl dealers, price can be 'all over the map'
for very similar products."
According to Chaikin, The Window Place previously
has owned and operated two vinyl manufacturing
plants in
the DC-area,
but stresses
that the technology offered by today's composite
products creates an excellent alternative
window product. "The fact that so
many products are made from composites, like skis, yachts, car
bodies, roof shingles and gasoline containers is testimony to its
rock-solid durability," he added. "Would
you feel safe going deep-sea fishing in a vinyl
boat?"
To ensure that homeowners get the best quality
window for their money, Chaikin recounts
that they need
to investigate the following
when making comparisons:
-
Frame materials/dimensional stability
-
Energy-efficiency
-
Maintenance options
-
Glass, options – low-E, Argon
gas
-
Sizes and styles available*
-
Manufacturer's
reputation
-
Design aesthetics,
finishes,grids
-
Factory-certified
installers
-
Service after installation
-
Pricing
-
Financing
*The Window Review - THE FOLLOWING IS AN APPROVED RELEASE
FROM THE WINDOW REVIEW ©1995(
SELECTION - Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum & Composites)
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