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Letter to the editor

Thickness of vinyl window frame indicates quality

By James Dulley, Special to the Times
Published August 4, 2007

Q: We want to replace our wood windows with maintenance-free vinyl ones that are easy to clean. Which style would be best for us? How can we compare the manufacturers' quality?

A: If you want replacement windows that are virtually maintenance-free, vinyl frames are an excellent choice. With the durable weatherstripping used today, the only maintenance should be cleaning the glass panes and wiping down the vinyl frame occasionally.

Vinyl frames are available in several colors, so you should be able to find one that looks good with your house color. Lighter frame colors stay cooler than dark ones, particularly on southern windows in the hot sun.

Casement windows are generally the most energy efficient, because they close with compression weatherstripping. They can be opened varying degrees to catch breezes for ventilation, but you will have to stretch to clean them.

Since you are concerned about easy cleaning, tilt-in double-hung windows are a good choice. Hidden latches on the top of each sash allow each one to tilt for cleaning.

If they are normal-size windows, the weight will not be an issue. Very large double-hung windows, however, can be quite heavy, especially with multipane, high-efficiency glass. In this case, a window with sliders on each side and a small fixed pane in the center might be a better choice.

There are hundreds of small and large vinyl window manufacturers across the country. Just because a local company is small does not mean its windows are not high-quality. Check its reputation and number of years in business. You can generally count on the large national manufacturers to stand behind their products. Their prices should be reasonable, because they can afford to invest in more automated manufacturing procedures.

When comparing the quality of various manufacturers, the thickness of the vinyl material used is a good indicator. Look at a cross-section of the frame and measure the thickness of the exterior skin and interior webs. Heavier is better, but is often more costly. For larger windows, metal reinforcing rods are inserted inside the frame to enhance rigidity.

The sash frame corners should be welded for strength. Welded main frame corners are not as important because the frame is supported by the wall opening. Whichever efficient glass option you select, it should have insulated spacers separating the panes. Foam injected inside the frame cavities improves insulation. If the window is Energy Star qualified, you can take the energy tax credit.

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer and do-it-yourselfer. Send questions to James Dulley, The Sensible Home, St. Petersburg Times, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Visit www.dulley.com to tour his energy-efficient home, post questions for other readers and find other information.

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Vinyl vendors

The following companies offer efficient vinyl windows. All phone numbers are toll-free.

- Certainteed, 1-800-782-8777, www.certainteed.com.

- Champion Windows, 1-800-875-5575, www.champion window.com.

- Kensington Windows, 1-800-444-4972, www.kensington windows.com.

- Thermal Industries, 1-800-245-1540, www.thermal industries.com.

- Weathershield, 1-800-222-2995, www.weathershield.com.

[Last modified August 2, 2007, 15:23:00]