Weighing the Pros and Cons of Vinyl Windows? Virgin vs. Reground Vinyl Can Make a Major Difference
If you’re shopping for windows, chances are you’re comparing different materials and assessing whether they’re right for your home. Vinyl is a common option for windows nowadays, and many homeowners weigh the pros and cons of vinyl very carefully before choosing it for their window installation services.
However, when weighing the pros and cons of vinyl windows, make sure you’re also considering the specific composition of the products you’re looking at. Not all vinyl windows are the same, and depending on whether you choose virgin or reground windows, it can make a big difference in how they age.
At Xtreme Exteriors, we aim to keep our customers well informed when it comes to their window options here in Rogers, AR. Vinyl can be a great material for your windows, but it’s important to weigh all factors carefully. Here are the pros and cons.
Advantages of Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows have grown in popularity compared to traditional wood frames as they offer several unique benefits. For example, vinyl is a great insulator, helping your windows perform very well at regulating your home’s temperature. This can increase energy efficiency and save money on your utility bills.
Vinyl is also readily recyclable, making it a fairly sustainable window option, and it’s also quite flexible, with numerous designs available. Finally, vinyl windows are generally the least expensive of all window materials. What’s more, they have minimal maintenance demands, which reduces money and time spent on upkeep such as cleaning, sanding, or painting.
Disadvantages of Vinyl Windows
While vinyl windows certainly offer their pros, there are also cons to consider. For example, while vinyl can be flexible enough to take any shape, it must be extruded, and custom-shaped windows can be more expensive when using vinyl.
Vinyl also does not take well to painting, particularly compared to wood. So while you won’t have to maintain the color through sanding and repainting, you also won’t be able to change the color of your window frames readily.
Lastly, because of the composition of this material, vinyl windows can sag over time due to the weight of your window, and they can also soften, warp, or bow when exposed to significant temperature swings.
How Virgin vs. Reground Vinyl Windows Affect the Pros and Cons
Where the virgin vs. reground vinyl conversation comes into play is in the overall strength and durability of the vinyl.
Reground vinyl is made from pellets of material that often come from multiple sources, including recycled vinyl. This means the product is not as uniform overall, and as the product heats and cools, expands and contracts, and so forth, it tends to become more prone to warping and more brittle with time.
Virgin vinyl windows, on the other hand, are made from a powder resin that comes together to produce a much more uniform final result. These windows are much stronger and less brittle, resulting in a more durable and long-lasting product.
Xtreme Exteriors: The Midwest’s Expert Window Installers
At Xtreme Exteriors, our professional window installers have worked with numerous industry-leading products over the years. When it comes to vinyl windows, we typically recommend that homeowners carefully weigh the pros and cons when it comes to price, durability, and the overall look of their home.
It’s also important to assess the quality of products you’re comparing. For instance, we often recommend Mezzo windows from Alside, as they primarily use virgin vinyl in their manufacturing process, resulting in a better overall product.
But no matter what style you feel is best for your home, we’re standing by to deliver the look you want and add renewed curb appeal. Reach out to our team today for a quote or stop by one of our showrooms in the location nearest to you:
Nixa, MO | Shawnee, KS | Rogers, AR | Pittsburg, KS | Goodlettsville, TN
