As the real estate market continues to recover, many people are looking to upgrade and re-invest in their homes. One of the biggest impacts on both the “curb appeal” and the comfort factor of any home are its windows. One of the biggest decisions regarding windows is window frames. Most people are not experts, and with the number of options available, making a choice can be a headache. Choosing the right material can affect the energy efficiency of your home and your bottom line.
There are pros and cons to every variety on the market. Aluminum can be practical in rainy, humid climates and it’s strong enough to stand up against tropical storms, but it’s not as efficient in terms of heat transfer/loss. Wood offers the best insulation, but requires more maintenance, and may not be a good choice for wet climates due to the potential for rot. Vinyl can be a good choice budget-wise, if well-constructed and properly installed, but it lacks the “glamour” of other materials and won’t last as long as it’s wood composite and fiberglass counterparts. Wood composites are made from a mixture of wood shavings and plastic resins, and while mimicking the look of real wood, they are virtually maintenance free. Fiberglass tops out the list on top as being the strongest material and has several advantages, including extreme energy efficiency and everlasting durability.
How to make the right choice? Hall’s Window Center is a family owned company that sells windows, doors and siding. With their 10 year service guarantee and in-house, company trained installers; they are leaders in the industry. They take pride in only selling top of the line products, and after researching over 100 manufacturers, they settled on 3 that met their standards of performance, durability, and warranty.
Simonton produces vinyl replacement windows built with the Pro Solar Shade LOW E Glazing System. Among the most efficient dual-pane windows ever built, they are designed specifically to provide optimum energy savings in moderate and hot climates.
Anderson 100 series is made with Fibrex, a composite material made with 40% reclaimed wood fiber, most of which is created during the manufacture of Andersen wood windows. The unique fabrication process blends the color with the Fibrex, so it stays beautiful as well as durable, maintaining its stability and rigidity in all climates.
And finally, Infinity from Marvin made of Ultrex fiberglass. Its base material is silica sand. Their patented process starts with strong cables of glass that are saturated with specially compounded resins that are pulled through a heated die and cut with diamond-edge blades. Strong, beautiful, and energy efficient, Ultrex is one of the best fiberglass products available.
Whatever material you decide on, Hall’s Window Center has the product, service, and experience to help you complete the project.