At Tri-county Exteriors, we pride ourselves in being able to deliver the best quality installation at affordable prices. Our Experts will guide you through the process every step of the way, from making the right brand selection to choosing the style, type and energy efficiency level you desire for your new window installation project. Whether you are choosing replacement windows or have a project in mind that would require a new construction window our team will be right there every step of the way.
We believe in informing our clients of all of the available options so we put together a little guide to letting you a little bit about what the advantages and disadvantages are in choosing wood windows which might aid in your decision process.
ADVANTAGES OF WOOD WINDOWS
For many people, especially those traditional homes, there really is no choice other than real wood-framed windows. There are several advantages, as well as drawbacks, to genuine wood.
Genuine wood has a look and a feel to it that nothing else can match. Wood is classic; wood is solid; wood is the real deal. Virtually all other window frames attempt to mimic the look of wood. Why settle for cheap imitations when the real thing is available?
Genuine wood frames help to insulate a home far better than almost any other kind of window. Real wood provides 400 times more insulation than steel window frames and 1,800 times as much as aluminum-frame windows. The additional insulation that real wood provides can help keep a home warm in the winter and cool in the summer and can save the homeowner on utility bills all year round. Wood-framed windows also provide an excellent barrier to outdoor sounds”much more so than virtually any other frame.
Wood frames are also easy to install so long as the installer has basic tools and carpentry skills. A homeowner can guarantee that wood windows will be properly installed by employing the services of a true professional from Tri-County Exteriors. The skilled technicians at Tri-County Exteriors have years of experience installing wood-frame windows and provide a guarantee with each installation.
For the homeowner attempting to go “green,” genuine wood window frames are as environmentally sound as it ispossible to be. Wood is the very definition of eco-friendly. Trees are a renewable resource, and wood window frames need never end up in a landfill”but even if they do, they naturally break down into compounds that are beneficial to the soil.
Wood, if given care, will last a lifetime. The same cannot really be said of most other types of frames. Also, unlike metal frames, wooden frames are not prone to rust – a decided plus in many locations.
It should be noted that it is also possible to purchase wood-clad window frames. These are wooden frames that are covered on the outside with vinyl or even aluminum. The advantage to wood-clad frames is that the outside of the window is protected from the elements while the inside retains the look, feel and insulating properties of genuine wood.
As far as aesthetics are concerned, wood wins hand-down if the homeowner chooses to paint. While some other types of frames may accept paint, wood embraces any color a homeowner chooses to apply. Wood not only welcomes paint, it virtually demands it. Wood also enhances the value of most homes. The reason most other types of frames attempt to look like wood is that the majority of homeowners prefer wood, and genuine wood window frames almost always demand a premium whenever a home is sold.
THE DISADVANTAGES OF WOOD FRAMES
The need for paint is one of the disadvantages of genuine wood frames. Wood was once a living substance, and if left untreated it can rot or warp and will begin to look old. Wood frames which have not been properly cared for can twist slightly or can swell with moisture, making it difficult (if not impossible) to raise or lower the window. Homes near the ocean, which are subject to salt combined with moist air, are especially vulnerable; wood-frame windows in these homes will need more attention than those in many other areas of the country.
Wood is also vulnerable to insects, especially (but not limited to) termites. Of course, if the home is sided with wood then the tiny extra amount of wood in a wood-framed window makes little difference. Keeping the frame properly painted will ward off insects.
Another disadvantage can be cost. Wood frames generally have a higher initial cost than vinyl or steel frames. Keep in mind, however, that wood frames can last far longer than most other frames if properly maintained, and wood never rusts. Many homeowners also feel that the rich, solid, traditional appearance of genuine wood more than makes up for its initial cost difference.
All of this presupposes that the supplier of the wood frames has provided the homeowner with good quality wood to begin with. Wood should be free of knots and warping, and should have the outward appearance of being in perfect condition. Homeowners can be assured of excellent quality if they deal solely with companies that have an excellent reputation and which are known locally.
In most cases choice is good, but when it comes to choosing the right windows for a home remodel, the sheer number of choices can become overwhelming. The trick is to seek professional help and advice. The professionals at Tri-County Exteriors know windows and they genuinely care about the looks of a home as well as the homeowner’s wallet. Ask for help from the professionals, because choosing the right windows is a decision that most homeowners have to live with for many years.