Three Key Features to Consider When Buying Vinyl Replacement Windows

You have chosen vinyl as the material of choice for your new replacement windows. Unfortunately, not all vinyl windows are the same. There are many components and processes that can be used to make a vinyl replacement window. This guide outlines three specific features to consider when shopping around for vinyl replacement windows.

The frame
The mainframe of a window can be considered the most important part of the window design because it provides the structural integrity of the window. Every home undergoes constant changes and movements during its life. To combat these movements, look for windows with fully welded frames. Windows that are mechanically fixed, chemically bonded, or not fully welded are structurally weaker and can bend or crack during temperature changes and movement.

Next, ask about the quality of the vinyl used in the window profiles. Ask your contractor if there is a significant percentage of “shredded” or recycled vinyl in the frame. Windows that use a significant amount of shredding are weaker because chemicals are added to increase the strength of the recycled vinyl.

Lastly, does the vinyl replacement window have a proper drainage system? A drainage system channels water away from the window and your home, reducing water infiltration.

Insulating glass systems
Glass makes up almost 80% of a window and dictates the thermal performance of a window. Look for windows with double or triple glazed glass packages with argon or krypton gas filled low-e coatings. Low-E glass contains microscopic coatings that act like a filter. In summer, Low-E glass lets in a lot of visible light while blocking infrared solar energy, keeping your rooms cooler. In winter, glass helps keep rooms warmer by reflecting heat back into the house while letting in the sun’s warm rays. The results are simple … lower energy costs! Additionally, low-e glass blocks damage ultraviolet rays, helping to reduce fading on your home’s carpets and furniture. Insulating gases, such as argon or krypton, can be added to air spaces in glass units. Both gases are denser than air and prevent the formation of convection currents, reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior of your home. This improves the comfort of your home while reducing your heating and cooling bills.

Balance system

If you buy the most popular style on the market, double-sash vinyl replacement windows, the type of balancing system used is the primary factor in the window’s ease of operation. A balancing system applies tension to the blade keeping it in the desired position and allows the blade to easily move up and down. The three main types of balance systems available include constant force balance, spiral balance, and lock-and-tackle balance.

Constant force balance works by utilizing a coiled steel coil spring to counteract the weight of a window sash. The number of coils used in the constant force balancing system is determined by the weight of the sheet, which requires single, double or even triple coils. As the number of coils increases, they limit the travel and the exit of the window.

And just as a tape measure with dirt on the coil sticks and is difficult to put back in the box, the coil in a constant force balance will stick when dirt and debris enters the coil. This causes difficulty in operating the window.

Spiral equilibrium is based on the stress applied to a coiled rod within a balance tube. Tension is applied by turning the spiral rod extending from the bottom of the tube counterclockwise. As more revolutions are applied, more tension is applied to the spring, allowing it to counteract the weight of the blade. As the weight of the blade increases, more turns are required on the scale, which increases the pressure on the internal spring. This pressure can make the window sash difficult to raise and lower, weaken your balance, and eventually cause a balance failure resulting in the upper sash falling off and the lower sash not staying up.

Lock-and-board balance systems are more advanced in design and technology than in previous years. Today, lock and board balances are considered a weight management system. The system works by using a series of pulleys to convert the minimum stretch of a coil spring into the required amount of blade travel.

Lock-and-board balance systems use composite cables to connect the coil spring to the balance shoe. This composite blend is used in mountain climbing ropes and other high tension applications. Additionally, lock and board balance systems never need lubrication or adjustments to ensure they work properly.

This weight control system is designed to counteract the exact weight of each blade. On average, the lock and tackle balance has 40% lower operating force than the spiral balance.

So, when comparing vinyl replacement windows, look for a window system that has fully welded sash and frames, high-performance insulating glass packages, and a block and rig weight control system. When these three features are combined, you can be sure that you are buying a window system that will provide you with years of strength, comfort, energy savings, and ease of operation.