How to Choose the Material for Your Windows

If you want to know how to choose the right material for your windows, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. One of those is soundproofing: imagine being able to hear every single sound from the street. That could be very stressful.

Alongside doors, windows are the most important parts of any house. Their orientation also has a major influence on where you put the furniture in a room.

That’s because the locations for doors and windows generally can’t be moved. The only way to avoid issues with this is when you design your own home.

We truly believe it’s worth the extra cost if remodeling can improve your windows. It will have an effect on your entire home.

You also need to think about what kind of place your house is in. That will determine how much humidity, rain, heat, cold, and sun it’s exposed to.

It’s always best to have lots of windows in your house. They give you a feeling of space and let in thge light.

How to choose the material for your windows: examples and features

PVC

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. This material is one of the most versatile synthetic plastics out there. PVC

• Has a medium-high price tag, between wood (the cheapest) and aluminum.
• Is very light, but also tough and rigid.
• Can give you up to 70% in energy savings.
• Is 100% recyclable. If you recycle it (separate from other plastics) it can re-enter the production chain.
• Has the best thermal insulation because it doesn’t conduct electricity.
• Redirects and muffles sound, bringing outside noise to a much lower level.
• Is fire resistant and self-extinguishing.
• Takes less energy to produce than other materials.
• Doesn’t rust or break down.
• Can be cleaned with water, soap, and a soft rag, as with aluminum.

A debate has been going on for the past few years as to whether PVC is toxic. There’s still no consensus and plenty of people argue that it doesn’t.

Wood

This material

• Is great for soundproofing.
• Is the most resistant to physical damage and weather.
• Unfortunately, burns more easily than other materials.
• Has become popular recently as natural and environmental issues are important. It’s the most environmentally-friendly option on this list.
• Goes well in any setting, and it’s especially good for countryside environments.

You have to use some wood treatments to make it truly long-lasting. It also needs periodic cleaning, but water and soap is enough.

If the main thing you like about wood is the way it looks, be aware that you can get the same basic effect with aluminum and PVC.

Aluminum

The characteristics of aluminum are

• It’s very expensive.
• It has more decorative potential.
• It’s best for thermal insulation.
• It’s very light and tough.
• Alongside PVC, it has an extremely long lifespan.
• It’s the safest material.
• If you still need to choose the material for your windows, keep in mind that it’s very easy to clean aluminum.
• You can also recycle it, though the process uses quite a bit of energy.

Types of glass

Glass type is a very important factor to consider if you have to choose the material for your windows.

Firstly, you need to remember that there are both single and double pane windows. 

Other important things to consider are thickness, the type of glass, and the number of layers. Generally, the thicker the window and the greater the distance between the layers, the better the insulation and soundproofing.

Here are the different types:

• Transparent: these let in the most light.
• Frosted: this is perfect for bathrooms because it gives you privacy.
• Tempered: this is a kind of safety glass that’s good for large windows.
• Low emission: these have a coating that reflect infrared light.

Of course, every home needs windows that suit its particular needs. 

So, choosing the materials for your windows isn’t as simple as you might have thought.  Weigh all the pros and cons of each material before making your choice. Just remember, outside of the aesthetics, your windows need to be tough, long-lasting (the longer, the better), and protect your home from external forces like noise and cold.