Questions About Window Types? We Have Answers
Posted on Tue, Nov 15, 2011 @ 10:43 AM
By Bill Green
Barefoot and Company
Director of Operations
What is the difference between composite windows, hollow vinyl windows, aluminum and vinyl clad windows?
The primary difference in cellular and hollow vinyl is the appearance. The Monarch cellular product we carry has much of the same visual characteristics as our wood and clad products. Hollow vinyl typically has narrower site lines, and more glass area. The corners of hollow vinyl products are typically fusion welded, whereas our composite, wood, and clad products are of traditional stile and rail design with mortise and tenon joinery. Simply put, the Monarch M-Cell window typically meets any historical or traditional look you may require. A hollow vinyl window is not approved in most strict architecturally approved communities. Composite windows are durable and some can require no paint of maintenance.
Clad windows are the most expensive windows, and typically consist of wood interiors. These are an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a traditional wood window, with the lower maintenance of an exterior cladding. Cladding has two very distinctive camps on this.
You have vinyl often called permashield cladding and aluminum clad. In our experience cladding has been decided by what color you want to use. If you want the dark colors such as black, bronze or the darker reds, Aluminum Clad is the direction you should go. Vinyl and dark colors do not mix. It is simple: dark colors attract heat and vinyl does not like extreme heat.
In summary here are the thoughts you should consider when choosing what window you want to use on your next home or project.
- Vinyl = low cost, low maintenance, little interest in architectural detail or correctness, no painting required
- Wood = slightly higher cost, annual maintenance (minimum), traditional architectural details, can paint any color
- Composite or MCELL = slightly higher cost, very low maintenance, traditional architectural appearance, safe to paint using colors within L56-L100. Do not assume you know what color this is. Always check your paint.
- Aluminum Clad = slightly more expensive, low maintenance, traditional architectural details, colors are typically whatever you can create. Downfalls are typically in the joints and seams. I personally like Extruded Aluminum vs. Roll formed.
- Vinyl Clad (aka Permashield) Cladding- This to me is the best cladding method. It will always be maintenance free. There are no joints or seams for water or moisture to get into the wood frame of the window. Typically any architectural detail needed can be accomplished.
I hope this helps when you are making your decision on what window to use. Stay informed and choose your window based on what you need.
What are your window preferences? We'd like to know what you think about the various architectural styles and functionality! Leave a comment below.