Why Vinyl Windows Are Bad

Let s say you have wood windows in your home today.

Why vinyl windows are bad.

Why you might give vinyl windows a pass environmental concerns. While in the past some homeowners noticed their vinyl windows beginning to sag and discolor over time today s vinyl windows will last decades and are virtually maintenance free. For starters the concept of a replacement window can be a bit of a misnomer and contribute to the issue. You ve noticed a lot of draftiness and maybe even some operational challenges.

Vinyl windows are made using polyvinyl chloride pvc the same material used in many plumbing products and other household items. Here are just a few of the problems associated with vinyl windows and why they re not maintenance free while it s true that they don t require painting i don t think you could paint them if you wanted to they are not a rigid material like wood thus they shrink in cold weather and expand in hot weather. Vinyl is also significantly less likely to warp like wood or dent like metal. Pvc plastic also known as vinyl is one of the worst plastics and you definitely want to keep your child from inhaling fumes from it or ingesting small particles in his food or water.

Wood windows warp and rot too and need to be repaired or replaced. Vinyl windows are made of poly vinyl chloride. With these changes comes issues in structural integrity air infiltration and problems with just opening and closing the window. Like most plastics pvc can mess with your child s developing hormone system and more.

Vinyl is the best material at limiting airflow. Contrary to popular belief vinyl windows are not bad or dangerous to our environment. Unlike vinyl wood demands regular repainting to avoid peeling which exposes the wood to moisture and eventual decomposition. This is even worse in dry areas with large high low shifts each day.

The number one problem with vinyl replacement windows a loss of glass viewing area. The warping can also do some damage to the seal. This substance is found in many things around the. Vinyl windows contract and expand a common problem a lot of homeowners face is the expansion and contraction of their vinyl windows during hot and cold weather.

The low maintenance no paint nature of vinyl windows can be a negative. For more on this see our truth about vinyl myths debunked article. A south or west facing window in a hot climate might heat up enough through the day that it ll warp. Some vinyl windows aren t all vinyl and have an aluminum or steel core that might reduce this from being able to happen.

Also vinyl isn t good for high heat areas.