Window materials and options

When shopping for replacement windows today, there are a lot of different options in terms of materials and grades. The biggest problem with this is that everybody says that what ever they are selling is the best and everything else is junk. I’ve already talked a little bit about cutting through the bull and finding out about window quality, but what about material? The main choices available these days are vinyl and wood, with fiberglass and other composites forming sort of a niche market. The fact is, there is no single replacement window material that does not have some pro’s and con’s. Here is my very brief, and very general breakdown. First, assess your reason for purchasing new windows. Is it energy-savings, aesthetics, funtionality? Secondly, assess your budget. You will likely need to sacrifice something, especially if like most people you do not have unlimited funds.
The most affordable product line available is going to be vinyl windows. Vinyl windows have a very wide range of quality and options and should run anywhere from $225-$800 per unit (including installation) depending on grade and options. The main benefits of vinyl windows would be value. Vinyl windows will, without question give you the best “bang for the buck”. They will have the highest energy-efficiency (lowest u-value), the best warranty(usually lifetime), and cost less than wood or fiberglass. There can be a lot of drawbacks with poor quality vinyl windows such as warping, fading, seal failures, etc., however the higher-end, energy efficient vinyl windows that are available today have cured these issues with the use of higher quality materials and stricter standards.
The benefits of a wood product (and drawbacks of a vinyl product) would be the initial structural strength of the product, and the beauty of a real wood window. Vinyl windows have laminite wood-grains interiors available for the look of wood, however the truth is that there really is nothing as beautiful as a real wood window that can be stained to match your existing woodwork. Extruded aluminum exteriors have made wood windows a “low maintenance” option on the outside, however the interior will always need attention or risk rot. Wood windows usually start out around $500-$600 installed although a quality unit will run higher. A general rule of thumb is that a full-frame wood window will typically cost about twice as much as a vinyl replacement window. Wood windows can be very energy-efficient, however it is typically more difficult for them to achieve the low u-values available with a vinyl product. One thing to keep in mind is that some subdivisions and homeowner’s associations have requirements such as “all-natural materials” that can affect your decision.
Fiberglass and composite windows are fairly new to the market and do have some merit, however they are typically WAAAY overpriced. They have decent attributes when it comes to energy-efficiency and strength, however they really don’t deliver anything that you could not get in a high quality vinyl or even wood window, and they are typically the most expensive option.
The bottom line when it comes to choosing energy efficient windows, is that you really need to assess your own priorities and pick a product that fits your budget and your home, and as always, do some homework. There are thousands of people who have already made this purchase and have listed their opinions on blogs, etc. Good Luck!