Breaking out the vinyl

Ten years ago, it was not unusual for people building or remodeling a home to have wood windows on the front and vinyl windows on the sides and back. Vinyl windows just didn’t look as good. Brother, you should see them now. Not only are many brands good-looking, but the technology that goes into making them is so advanced that most will look good longer with less maintenance than almost any other type of window.

People are now using vinyl windows on the front of their homes as well as everywhere else.

That’s what folks like Michelle and Joe Endicott are doing. They had vinyl windows and French doors installed recently in their Cypress, Calif., home.

“I really like the look,” Michelle Endicott said as she sat watching the installers from West Coast Vinyl Windows and Doors. “It’s a nice, clean look.”

The windows and doors she and her husband had installed were the “retrofit” variety. They have extra-large flashings on all sides to hide whatever minor damage was done to the stucco or paint when the old windows were removed.

“Nine times out of 10, customers will choose retrofit vinyl windows,” said Heather Black, spokeswoman for Pacific Windows and Doors, which has showrooms in Orange and Fountain Valley, Calif.

Why the preference?

“With retrofit windows you can usually do a window installation in a single day,” said Dean Sorenson of West Coast. “There’s a lot less labor involved.”

How much do vinyl windows cost?

That is a difficult question to answer. There are many grades and styles. The price also depends on the glass used, so attempting to estimate even a range of prices can be misleading.

Most of the time, consumers think that prices they find at a large home improvement chain might be the lowest. This is sometimes true. But many vinyl window dealers have products that compare with the warehouse windows and have competitive prices.

For consumers, the best advice will sound familiar: It pays to shop around.

Vinyl windows are becoming popular not just as replacements, but also as original windows in new homes. Improved looks are one reason, but they also are being offered in more color choices, and with energy-saving and maintenance advantages.

First, some basics about vinyl windows: Originally, most were of the “clad” variety. That is, there was just vinyl on the outside and, perhaps, wood or pressed wood on the inside. The vinyl acted mostly as a protective shield.

You can still find vinyl-clad windows, though mostly it’s aluminum or some other material on the inside. Then, too, there are windows made of pure vinyl. Which is best? It depends on whom you talk to. Some companies will sell only one type; others may sell two types or more. A traditional strength of vinyl windows is their ease of maintenance and durability. Almost all need only an occasional hosing off.

The newer vinyl windows seem to withstand the sun very well. Just try finding one that’s faded.

And they should never need painting. Perhaps the only downside is that many brands still offer limited color choices. A couple of companies have come up with a few other colors (a few shades of green, tan, light browns, off-whites), but for the most part, white is pretty much it. You can paint vinyl windows, of course, but why would you want to? Painting a vinyl window negates one of its best qualities: You’d never have to paint it again. If you want other colors, you may want to look at wood windows.

Vinyl windows Q&A

There are many choices in buying windows, especially with exotic new vinyl and composite material products hitting the market. Here are a few tips.

Q. Are there any advantages of a solid vinyl window vs. a vinyl-clad, aluminum or wood window?

A. There is a cost advantage, according to Rob Owens of Ideal Home Improvement in Huntington Beach, Calif. Solid vinyl windows are usually less expensive than those with vinyl covering (cladding), he said. In terms of the materials themselves, solid vinyl windows should last longer than aluminum or wood and require less maintenance. Wood can rot and needs to be painted. Aluminum can pit over time and is less energy-efficient than vinyl. A few window manufacturers are offering composites, combinations of wood fibers and vinyl. The claim is that the wood makes them stronger while the vinyl allows for ease of maintenance. They’re still relatively new and the jury is still out.

Q. What are the cost differences among vinyl, wood and aluminum windows? Among different grades of vinyl windows?

A. Wood windows are generally the most expensive. Fiberglass windows (which are new to the market and have few manufacturers) tend to be priced right up there with wood. Aluminum windows are relatively inexpensive.

There are also price differences among vinyl windows. Allan Moline of Heritage Windows and Doors’ Mission Viejo, Calif., showroom said vinyl windows of greater thickness tend to be of better quality and therefore higher price. “You’ll often find a window manufacturer that makes two or even three qualities of vinyl window,” he said. “For the budget-conscious, a vinyl window of the least thickness may be just fine. But if you want a vinyl window of better quality, look for one that’s thicker. Like everything else, you get what you pay for.”

Q. What are the energy differences: vinyl vs. aluminum, for example?

A. One of the biggest drawbacks of aluminum windows is that they conduct heat into and out of a home. A few aluminum windows have insulation between the interior and exterior to inhibit conductivity, but they conduct more heat and cold than vinyl.

Q. Can you tell me at least one thing I can ask a window salesperson to tell if his company’s vinyl windows are better than another’s?

A. Ask if his company’s windows have welded corners. Windows with this feature tend to be much stronger, thus less likely to separate when changes in temperature make frames expand or contract. This is all true with — perhaps — one exception. The Simonton brand of vinyl window that’s screwed together has a reputation for holding up as well as a welded window.

Also, check for labels from the National Fenestration Rating Council and Energy Star. On the Fenestration Council’s label, you may see numbers from 0-1 referring to Solar Heat Gain and Visible Heat Transference. The higher the number, the greater the heat gain. In warm climates you’ll want the lowest numbers you can find. Any time you see an Energy Star label, you’re looking at a good product in terms of energy savings.

Q. Why don’t vinyl windows come in a variety of colors?

A. Mostly it’s because of the expansion discussed in the preceding answer. At higher temperatures, some frames can expand. If they expand too much, and if the glass in them is heavy enough, the frame and sash can sag, deforming the entire window. Because dark colors absorb light and heat, most vinyl windows are light colored.

Q. What sort of warranty should I get?

A. Most have a lot in common. Examine the warranty carefully for what it says on structural problems. Most vinyl windows will look good for many years, but if they come apart, you’re in trouble.