Vinyl vs. Wood Windows

With the emergence of vinyl, wood windows have taken a backseat as they have become sort of a construction solution of the past. This doesn’t mean that wood windows are inferior to vinyl. It simply means that vinyl windows have become more popular to homeowners than wood. For other homeowners, however, wood is still king because it possesses a classic charm that vinyl can only hope to impart.

Both types of windows have their merits and should be considered before buying new windows for your home to find out which is right for you. It would be helpful to compare the two materials to better understand these merits. How are these two materials different from each other? How do these two stack against each other in terms of savings? How about in terms of maintenance?

Definitions

Vinyl is a material that is created from a high-quality polymer called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In essence, vinyl windows are made from the same material, with some metal along with other types of plastic for the sash mechanism.

Wood windows are as the name indicates, made of wood. The most common material used for wood windows are typically pine or Douglas fir. The exteriors of a wood window are wood but with extruded aluminum, PVC, or fiberglass for added protection.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is perhaps the least important factor being considered in making a decision between wood and vinyl windows, but an important consideration nonetheless. Energy savings are typically measured in terms of insulating capability, especially during the winter season when insulation matters. Wood are better insulators than vinyl in that the material itself, wood is a natural insulating material. Additionally, it is compact and not hollow as opposed to vinyl, which is typically hollow, easily allowing cold air to pass through the hollow spaces.

Cost

Vinyl windows are about 25% cheaper than wood windows because they can be mass-produced through extrusion of materials and will therefore be cheaper to produce. On the other hand, wood windows are costlier because they are more expensive to produce, there are fewer companies that produce wood windows, and that there are simply fewer in supply than the market demands.

Maintenance

Vinyl windows require very little upkeep and maintenance once they are installed because there is no need to repaint or re-stain the windows after a significant amount of time. They simply need to be washed once in a while and checked for a few scratches and that’s it. On the other hand, wood windows require repainting after the colors have faded, typically happens every 3 to 4 years. Additionally, they require re-staining to add more protection from the elements.

Appearance and Customization

In terms of overall appearance and customizability, wood windows take the crown. There is simply no beating the appearance of all-natural wood grain, a look that vinyl can never really achieve. To preserve the appearance of natural wood grain, the wood need only to be stained. If you want the look of solid colors, you only need to paint the wood to the color that you want.