Vinyl Windows and Windows Made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
So, why buy a plastic window when you can have sheer elegance from wooden windows and sturdiness at its finest with aluminum windows? However, despite that, plastic windows have started to invade and infiltrate the window business, almost replacing metal and wood products. How did this happen? Well, let us just say that such plastic windows are very energy efficient and cost way less then glass and wood. So, what is a PVC window? PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and is the leading type of plastic windows as of today.
Pros and Cons of PVC Windows
PVC windows are more mainstream and are also called vinyl windows. Such windows have ultraviolet or UV light stabilizers that stops the material from deteriorating because of sunlight. As you may know, sunlight can really affect and damage PVC windows. All colors except white will definitely fade as time passes, and this is why PVC windows really need not be painted at all yet are still quite good in putting off the build up of moisture. A real downside of PVC windows though is that it may really be badly affected by extreme weather conditions. Exposure to high temperature may result in expanding and warping, while exposure to low temperatures may cause PVC windows to crack.
PVC windows can reduce the cost of window framing and maintenance because a single piece of plastic may be utilized to encompass the window frame wholly. This way, leaks of air and water may be avoided. This also allows plastic windows to be much easier to maintain. Such windows are also light and are also shatter resistant. Plus, materials used in PVC window glazing are acrylic and polycarbonate. Such materials are unaffected by plastic degradation due to ultraviolet rays, and such materials are also commonly sturdier and longer lasting.
Looking for a gentle room illumination? Well, PVC windows can provide this as such windows allow for a soft, diffused light to enter a room in order to achieve this effect.
But then again, PVC windows have some disadvantages as well. In spite of being sturdier and generally safer than glass windows, long term disadvantages may just hit the spot. Aside from the fact that PVC windows allow less flexibility and less room for creativity, one thing about PVC is that such material deteriorates in the long run – both in strength and light transmission due to ultraviolet rays, heat, and oxidation. PVC is a bit more sensitive, being synthetic and all, and may be much affected by such natural processes.
Other Plastic Windows
Aside from Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC windows, there are also different kinds of plastic windows. There is what we call the insulated vinyl frames which have empty spaces crammed with insulating materials to increase their standard in terms of thermal capacities. The use of high performance glazing is much preferred to maximize the capabilities of such window frames.
Other types of plastic windows are the Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polystyrene (PS), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE). All aforementioned are very cost friendly and effective yet also has some variations. To know more, deeper study and research may be done to be able to maximize each of the capabilities of the said plastic window types and for the consumer to be able to choose the right type that would suit his home or company.
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