PVC Windows or Wood? A Practical Comparison
A fact: there are pluses to both options. Another fact: only one window type will be placed at your house. Care to know which? In this article, we will present the advantages of PVC windows in comparison to their classic wood counterparts.
Are PVC windows cheaper?
In this category, plastic frames win. Wooden windows are more expensive. They require the use of additional maintenance care too. It increases operating costs. Especially when more noble types of wood are taken into account. Oak, for example, is indeed a luxury. Good-quality pvc windows can cost even half the price. And their structure will not change much in time, so it can be a lifetime investment, actually.
Aesthetic windows for a modern household
Wooden windows are nicer to look at, true. Regardless of the kind of wood, its color and the unique arrangement of the grain are clearly a plus. Such profiles also perfectly match wooden furniture and floors. Besides, they give the interior that extra feeling of warmth in terms of rustic appearance. What about a more modern style?
PVC windows are present in modern villas. Products of this sort don’t argue with trendy exterior designs. Inside the house, they fit well too. Color variations are basically limitless, so any arrangement with steel or decorative concrete is possible.
It is worth noticing that PVC windows don’t require any trees to be cut down. Even the highest-quality PVC profiles come from recycled materials and can be recycled again. That idea alone is very modern itself, don’t you think?
Resistance to external factors
Wood shrinks and expands because of temperature differences. A wooden frame can therefore deform, providing cracks. That leads to the loss of warmth. Costly repairs are a factor as well. Although PVC can change a bit due to extreme sunlight, its overall toughness is superior.
Apart from the above, plastic is almost completely resistant to moisture. Fog or precipitation pose a threat even to a well-preserved and properly coated wooden window. This means a high-humidity environment isn’t friendly to such profiles. The same can be said about chemicals. With time, cleaning solutions usually deprive the wood of its beauty. PVC will keep the looks.
Thermal functionality
Nowadays, both PVC windows and brand-new wooden products provide great thermal insulation. It all depends on particular models and technology. But, considering the price, the same standard of PVC options tends to be less expensive.
