Plastic Windows Made of Materials like PVC, PET, PS and PP
Oh yes, there are a lot of materials in this world that is made of plastic – children’s dolls, kitchenware, everyday things. Now, even windows can be made of plastic. Plastic windows have made its way through the window manufacturing industry almost leveling with wood and metal products. Actually, the latest status of plastic windows is that it now replaces wood and metal, especially in the household market because of its high efficiency in energy, (relatively) low costs, and low demand or need for maintenance.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Plastic windows can minimize framing and maintenance costs as one single piece of plastic can be used to cover the whole window frame. This way, water and air leaks can be avoided, making such windows easier to take care of. Plastic windows also weigh a bit lighter as compared to glass windows, which are generally heavier. In fact, plastic windows are also resistant to shattering, making it much better than glass ones. In glazing plastic windows, polycarbonate (or acrylic) materials are used, another plus for plastic windows because such materials are resistant to plastic degradation due to ultraviolet rays, and they are also generally sturdier and they last longer. The great thing with plastic windows is their ability to illuminate with the use of soft and diffused light, thus, giving a rather gentle illumination of a room.
However, plastic windows do have some disadvantages, too. Despite the fact that they can be generally safer and more stable than glass windows, plastic windows do have some long term disadvantages. For one, all plastics eventually deteriorate in light transmission and strength because of oxidation, heat, and ultraviolet rays. Plastic, being a synthetic material, can be a bit more sensitive and affected by such natural processes inevitably. Also, since plastic windows are made in single sheets only, curves and bends may only be done in a single area. This will definitely limit the style and design of your window. Plastic windows are not very flexible, really. Plastic windows, too, may become quite unpredictable in terms of use and life span due to such reasons.
Examples of Plastic Windows
Mainstream plastic windows are also known as vinyl windows, which are made of pvc or polyvinyl chloride, which has UV or ultraviolet light stabilizers to prevent sunlight from deteriorating the material. Being exposed to too much sunlight can really affect vinyl windows, making non-white colors fade as time passes. Vinyl windows need not be painted and are very good in preventing the accumulation of moisture. The only downside of vinyl windows is that, at high temperatures, warping and expanding may not be avoided. At very low temperatures, vinyl windows may crack.
Now there are also what we call insulated vinyl frames which have hollow spaces filled with insulation to make them of higher standard than that of regular vinyl and wood frames when it comes to thermal properties. To further maximize these frames, glazings of high performance and quality are used.
There are also other types of plastic windows other than that of vinyl or PVC. There are also what we call PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). All are quite effective and cost friendly yet has some differences that may require more study and attention in order for it to be properly used and maximized.
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