Today we will compare and contrast the two leading types of replacement windows, wood windows and vinyl windows, to help you decide which window material is perfect for you and your home. Any type of replacement windows will make a dramatic difference in your home. Whether it is improving energy efficiency, updating the décor, or adding value to your home, getting old windows replaced has many benefits. However, it is vitally important that you identify the type of window that best fits your home and personal needs. When we compare the two we will be talking about the bones of the window, not the glass, grilles, handles, locks, etc.

First, we’ll give an overview of each type and then compare them in a handy chart below. So let’s get started — what is a vinyl window anyway?

VINYL WINDOWS

Vinyl Windows are windows made out of a plastic material, PVC. Vinyl windows were first developed in the 1970s, to compete against costlier wood windows. Despite their relative youth, vinyl windows now account for roughly the same market share as wood windows. Most people can recognize vinyl windows thanks to an initial uniformity in craftsmanship; they are the white windows made out of a plastic material. Only within the past two decades have vinyl windows come in other colors than white.

They are so popular now because they are the most affordable. Some brands are as much as half the price of their wood counterparts. Vinyl windows aren’t as durable as wood windows, but they can last over 20 years. A quality vinyl window will also save you money on energy bills because the insulation in the frame of the window itself is energy efficient. Additionally, vinyl windows require no maintenance because they never need painting or scraping. Overall, vinyl windows give you a great bang for your buck. Yet, regardless of all these benefits, wood windows remain the gold standard in the replacement window industry. But why?

WOOD WINDOWS

Wood Windows are still the “best” type of windows available, especially with virtually all companies offering composite or aluminum-cladded exteriors. Wood windows are the most beautiful, durable, and energy efficient windows you can buy. The wood interior drastically improves the aesthetics of your home, and can be a main selling point to potential buyers. Many companies have super custom wood window product lines, such as E-Series by Andersen, which have hundreds of color, style, grille, and hardware configurations to match your dream home.

Perhaps more importantly, most wood windows have a warranty of up to fifty years that is transferable from owner-to-owner, so if you use wood windows it will probably be the last time you even think about your windows. The strength of the wood and the exterior cladding prevents weather damage, seals in the heat/cold, and contortion due to hot and cold temperatures. However, if you get wood windows that are not cladded on the outside, you will have to repaint the windows every few years. Wood windows are even more energy efficient than vinyl, and now with the Fibrex exteriors that some manufactures—like Andersen windows—use, they are just as maintenance free as vinyl. BUT, all of this greatness comes with a price, of course. Wood Windows are more expensive than vinyl windows because they are more expensive to manufacture and have more added benefits.