When choosing your material for a new window there are many things to consider. Price, maintenance, durability, and design. The 3 most used materials for windows are either wood, vinyl, or aluminum. They are all great options but each has their own advantages. When comparing prices for these products expect to pay more for the wood windows while vinyl tends to be the least expensive of the 3 options. The overall look or design of the home or building need to be considered as well when selecting your window material. Wood is a great selection for a classic or traditional look while aluminum tends to be a good fit for contemporary designs. Vinyl is much more versatile and can fit with just about any kind of design whether it be contemporary or traditional. To help you decide which option is best for your project lets take a took at each materials qualities.

Wood Windows- If your looking for a traditional look and a historic window frame material for your windows then you should consider wood windows. This material choice has a long history and provides a classic look and feel for any home.

These traditional windows remain a very popular choice, especially in historic residential neighborhoods. Wood is a classic, warm, and beautiful choice for windows and are available in all of your traditional styles. Not to mention they can be painted or stained any color. A wood window frame can last for decades. However, in order to achieve this longevity, regular maintenance, painting or staining is required.

Wood windows are by far one of the most energy efficient windows. Wood is a bad conductor meaning heat is less likely to transfer through the material. This prevents heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer which keeps more money in your wallet and less money going to the energy companies. But keep in mind wood windows will also expand and contract in response to weather conditions.

Vinyl Windows- One of the most recognized benefits of vinyl windows are their insulating properties. Just like wood windows, vinyl windows prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer making them a top choice for energy efficiency.

Vinyl windows come in all shapes and sizes which allows it to be used with a wide range of designs. Once only available in white or beige, vinyl windows are now available in a wide range of colors. But keep in mind, this material cannot be repainted. So, whatever color you choose you will have to live with for the longevity of your windows. However, unlike wood windows vinyl windows are maintenance free. There is no sanding, painting or staining for this material. Vinyl windows are less porous than wood, therefore it is harder for dirt and grim to get trapped. This makes the frame easy to clean with soap and water.

A huge benefit for vinyl windows is there ease of installation. These frames come in either a traditional new construction frame, meaning you are replacing your old window frame with the new vinyl frame, or as a retrofit frame, the new vinyl frame is installed over your existing frame. The new construction frames require a bit more labor when installing compared to the retrofit frames. Cutting back of siding or stucco on the exterior then patching after the window is installed along with adding trim and finally repainting are just a few of the added labor steps. Retrofit windows are less expensive due to the easier installation. No cutting, no trim removal, and no stucco or siding repair. This makes this the ideal frame for those looking for an inexpensive yet still durable and energy efficient window option.

Aluminum Windows- Aluminum window frames have been around for a while. While not much has changed with aluminum frames one huge improvement has been with the addition of thermal breaks. Thermal breaks are insulation within the frame to prevent thermal energy loss. Aluminum is a conductor which means heat transfers easily through the material. In other words, with aluminum frames you will be susceptible to heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. With the addition of the thermal break, the heat transfer is reduced drastically. Although, compared to vinyl or wood, the aluminum frames still fall short in the energy efficiency area.

One of the biggest advantages for aluminum frames is they are considered maintenance free, however, if the protective finish is broken down by airborne abrasives or extended periods of high humidity the window becomes susceptible to corrosion. This corrosion is more susceptible in areas near the beach.

Another advantage for aluminum frames is their overall strength. If a home has extremely large windows, aluminum frames are generally used. Their strength and structural integrity make them ideal for handling the larger sizes. No matter which window material you go with new windows are a huge improvement not only to the overall design but also energy efficiency. Which one you choose depends on what your main goal is. Are you looking to add to the design of the space, add more energy efficiency, or looking for a more maintenance free material. Here at SGO Designer Glass we can help you determine which window would best fit your needs. Call us today for a consultation or visit our studio here in Anaheim.