Vinyl vs. Composite Windows: Which Is Better?

When it comes to the biggest bang for your home investing buck, few renovations and upgrades can compete with that of new windows. New windows will improve the look of your home, not to mention make it more energy efficient. This way, you'll not only boost the value of your property, but you'll also cut down on your heating and cooling bills throughout the rest of the year. It's a win-win investment.

However, you might be stuck on what kind of window materials you should be using. When making a window material comparison, you'll discover vinyl and composite are the two most commonly offered types of windows. But what is the best material for window replacement in Northern, VA? Here is what you need to know about the two to help you decide. 

What Is The Difference Between Vinyl and Composite?

Vinyl windows have been around for some time now. Chances are, unless your house is greater than 50 years old, it has vinyl windows. Vinyl is short for polyvinyl chloride (you might recognize this as PVC). It is a synthetic plastic that is both durable and tough. However, plastic, in terms of environmental concerns, has not aged well. It might have been seen as a wonder material decades ago, but with constant production of plastic materials the impact on the environment can no longer be ignored. So, companies are looking for ways to improve on plastic while also reducing greenhouse gases. 

Composite windows, on the other hand, are made up of a number of materials. Typically, a composite window is made using resin and fiberglass. This is similar to a modern car bumper. The bumper is durable and able to take a beating.

There is also a visible difference between vinyl and composite. With vinyl you can see that reflective plastic appearance almost instantly. There's really no hiding this particular look. However, composite windows have a look much more akin to that of wood. While reflective painting and other coatings can be applied, composite windows offer an excellent design option for anyone with a wooden shingle house (or composite shingles designed to look like wood).

What Are the Pros and Cons of Composite Windows and Vinyl Windows?

When considering a window replacement in Northern Virginia installation, you'll want to know what the pros and cons are for both vinyl and composite. The look of each may prove to be beneficial, depending on the style of your home. However, beyond this, both vinyl and composite windows are easy to take care of. You don't need to paint either (unlike wood), and while you will need to apply lubrication on occasion there isn't much else you need to do. 

One of the biggest reasons to consider composite as your window material is the boost in energy efficiency. While both do improve the energy efficiency you will experience over wood, composite takes it a step further (it will also depend on whether you go with double or triple-pane glass, as this will impact your efficiency as well). And, should you ever find yourself in need of upgrading the windows again later down the line, composite windows can be easily recycled. Vinyl is not as easily reclaimed, which means it might end up in the trash, which is something you'd rather avoid.

Are Composite Windows Better Than Vinyl?

When considering composite vs vinyl windows, you'll first need to decide what kind of look you want. This alone may push you in the direction of one or another.  But, if you don’t have a preference, then when compared head to head, composite may end up being the better window material for your home upgrade. 

Not only are composite windows energy efficient and easy to maintain, but these are easy to recycle. Because it doesn't have the kind of plastic utilization as vinyl, you will reduce your carbon footprint and your overall impact on the environment, which is something everyone should try to do whenever possible. Every little change away from plastic can go a long way.

So, if you want new windows in Virginia, composite is something you absolutely need to consider. 

Give Us A Call to Learn More

Your new window upgrade will go a long way in improving the value of your property as well as reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool your home. From the kind of materials used around the edges of the windows to the kind of windows (and number of panes you decide to go with), we can walk you through the entire process and offer you all the insights and address all the questions you might have. So, if you're ready to begin progressing with your window upgrades and want to get started, now is the time to give us a call. From selecting quality products to the installation, we are your window and door team of professionals. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with all your window and door needs.