Upvc Windows
Upvc windows,every thing you need to know, and somethings you didn’t know you need to know ! Upvc Windows Have captured an ever increasing share of the replacement and new construction window market and with good reason. Upvc windows fill a need for energy efficiency that the old standard single pane wood sash window can’t handle. As energy cost have risen through the years so has the demand for upvc windows. Old loose fitting drafty wooden windows are a major source of heat loss and air infiltration initially aluminum replacement windows seamed to be a natural choice to replace the old wooden sash. different combination of single pane ,double pane and triple pane windows with a storm windows attached came and went. But ultimately aluminum windows are not well suited for residential use. Unfortunately although aluminum is structurally very sound it also conducts cold to the inside of the house causing major problems with condensation which freeze’s and thaws in the winter time causing mold and a lot of other damage from melting.
That’s where upvc windows come in, the upvc window material is very similar to wood as far as its thermal efficiency, its a stable material, it doesn’t absorb moisture like wood and it doesn’t conduct cold like aluminum replacement windows do. You get the best of both worlds with good quality upvc windows the thermal efficiency of wood and the maintenance free exterior of aluminum. The writers of this guide have been in the
window industry over 40 years in one capacity or another, starting with storm windows and storm doors and then moving into the upvc windows side as a subcontractors. Installing windows for big residential window contractors, to selling and installing Upvc windows for many company’s. During that time I estimate that we have installed about 10,000 Upvc windows. And finally after about 10 years some of us started another company working for several national commercial window manufactures as a field service consultants. Part of that job duties included trouble shooting and repairing operational problems with Upvc windows. In places like schools, hotels, condos, apartment buildings…covering an area from Maine to Florida on the east coast of the US. We don’t pretend to think we know all there is to know about upvc windows. There are those who will have more expertise in some areas than we do and may disagree with some of our view points. What we offer you is one groups knowledge and opinion’s. Take it for what its worth,
The word upvc windows can referrer to many types of windows
Upvc windows covers a multitude of different window types for example the upvc sash window, which can also be called the double hung window depending whether your from the US were the term double hung is used or Europe where it is called upvc sash windows This is the most common window in most homes and one of the most cost effective both sash tilt in for easy cleaning and you get about 50% of the available area for ventilation. The casement window can be used in almost all of the same situations as upvc sash windows, there are differences though the upvc casement windows offer 100 % of the available area for ventilation because the entire sash cranks open the upvc casement window is more of a specialty window and is not usually used through out the house, one reason may be because of all the upvc windows it is the most expensive to buy.The upvc casement cranks open and closed it also provides the tightest seal when closed and locked. The most common application for upvc casement windows is over the kitchen sink or maybe in the bath room. A close relative of the upvc casement window is the awning window, this is probably the best choice for over the kitchen sink because it opens from the bottom out and acts like an awning as the name suggest, it also cranks open so you don’t have to reach over the counter and try to lift the upvc sash which can be pretty tough on your back and it acts like an awning if it should begin to rain when closed and locked it forms a tight seal so air infiltration is kept at a minimum. The upvc bow window is also a specialty window which uses a combination of upvc casement windows in a large featured opening in the front of the house it has a projection which creates a soft ark and is used as a show piece to dress up the front of the house. Bay windows are very similar in nature there main job is to accentuate the front of the house and create a unique focal point, the main difference is the upvc bay window usually has a picture window that occupies about 60% of the area and is flanked on either side by a upvc sash window ora upvc casement windows. One of the main draw backs with upvc casement windows is they have a tendency to sag over time when in the open position so if this is the style of upvc windows you intend to use in your home make sure you choose quality upvc windows. Upvc sliding windows are the least expensive and also the least effecient of all the upvc windows it is a cheap way to close an open area like a three season porch to shield it from the elements or to extend the season for late Autumn use, we will also talk about Double glazed units on another article because many of these windows use this type of insulated glass. We will break this guide down as much as i can, and it will be as in depth as we think it needs to be. The topics discussed will not be in any particular order as some information is timeless so we will probably get to them first. Some may take a little home work on our part and will be added when complete. This will be a work in progress and will evolve over time, you may want to check back from time to time to check for new chapters about upvc windows.
Upvc windows and new construction
Upvc windows really got there start in the upvc replacement window market, they are perfect for older homes some of which are hundreds of years old. Upvc windows can be custom made to fit any of these openings in older homes which is invaluable with no such thing as a standard opening. Upvc windows for new construction came along a little later, some home builders were resistant to using upvc windows in new construction believing they were a cheap looking inferior substitute for traditional wood sash windows. eventually upvc windows were manufactured with a built in nailing fin and extension jambs for the interior, which made the installation process faster and more efficient. upvc windows and doors are now used in new construction on a regular bases as a matter of fact, you will also find every kind of upvc patio doors being incorporated in new construction including sliding patio doors and upvc french doors as well. Using upvc windows and doors along with vinyl siding has become part of a larger plan which is to create a virtually maintenance free exterior