If you're interested in making an improvement to your home, you've come to the right place. From kitchens, bathrooms, paint, flooring, and home additions, to countertops, cabinets and even pet doors, you're sure to find what you're looking for below. We've compiled information on both indoor and outdoor improvements, including lighting, doors, windows, fences, and every room in, or being added to, the house. You'll also find links to sites that offer competitive pricing in each industry.
   Home    | Featured Window Topics | Site Map | About Us | Contact Us 

Wood Windows


It's time to replace your windows, and you have several choices in the type of frame available. The most common types of window frames are wood, vinyl, and aluminum. If your choice is a wood window, you will experience several advantages as well as some disadvantages upon installation.




Advantages of Wood Windows

Wood has the advantage over other building materials in several ways. First, it can be painted or stained to be the color or colors of your choice. One side of the window frame does not have to match the other side in color. Therefore, you can paint the inside of your window to coordinate with your couch and chairs, while painting the outside of your window frame to be neutral to blend in with the rest of your outdoor paint. Wood windows also provide excellent insulation. Wood windows come in a wide variety of standard shapes and sizes. Wood is also completely biodegradable, unlike other window frame choices.

Disadvantages of Wood Windows

Wood windows require a great deal of maintenance to keep them from rotting. Wood needs to be painted or re-stained regularly to help rebuff water and subsequent rot. They can also be affected by weather. For example, wood windows can swell after absorbing moisture due to rain. They are also expensive.

Wood Window Alternatives

You can buy a wood window frame that has vinyl or aluminum on the outside. This way, you can paint the frame that is inside your home the color of your choice. While the outside of your window will not be able to be painted, the aluminum or vinyl protects the wood facing outside. Unfortunately, there are not many colors available for the aluminum or vinyl side. This type of window can also be more expensive that traditional wood frames.

Composite window frames made up of recycled wood and plastic are available on the market. These frames, which combine waste wood fiber and recycled PVC (also referred to as polyvinyl chloride, HPDE, or high-density polyethylene) can be less expensive than wood or vinyl and will not swell like those made of wood because they do not absorb moisture. Composite window also maintain more dimensional stability than do PVC frames due to the wood fiber content. Manufacturers claim that composite windows are better at conserving energy than are vinyl or aluminum windows. However, since this is a relatively new product, the jury is out on how long composite windows will last. The styles available are also limited at this time.


Related Links: