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Before you buy...
Composite Windows
Related Product Advice
Composite frames claim to offer the best qualities of both vinyl and wood. If the window frames are anything like their decking and lumber composite counterparts, it should hold true that they offer the strengths of both wood and plastic.
Aesthetic concerns are often the most important issue when looking for windows. Composite windows may be suitable if maintaining the look of wood is desired. In modern dwellings the look of the composite offers a good alternative for the more particular consumer. Composite frames are ahead of the pack when it comes to contemporary popularity. Be sure you check out key components before making a final selection. If composite frame windows are the choice, make sure that the wood or vinyl being used to make the frames is recycled.
While the thermal properties of composite frames are similar to those of wood, composites offer better moisture and decay resistance. The BTU’s lost per hour for a composite window is about 1.5 compared with glass which is about 3.5, steel 300, and aluminum 1,400. The resins used to make plastic composite frames are manufactured by GE Plastics and are used in many automobile applications which are a testament to their durability and color retention. Currently, Geloy and Cycolac are used in manufacturing plastic composites. The superior heat resistance, strength and impact resistance make them appropriate technology for window frame applications. Wood fiber and/or scrap is combined with the resin and extruded to form the frames. These reused wood products would have been otherwise discarded.
While manufacturers state these materials are recyclable, like many other plastics it is not known to what degree the material degrades or is reused. As the product matures in this market application, more information will be available about its recyclability. Look for composite windows utilizing reused or recycled vinyl or other plastic material. This will ensure no additional harmful environmental emissions during the manufacture of the product.
As with other materials comprised of plastics, the possibility of off-gassing exists. Because of the nature of window frames – their need to be extremely durable and strong with little to no flexibility – these provisions indicate the plastic content or type does little off-gassing.
Proper installation is essential in the energy efficiency (and comfort) equation. If you have chosen the window with the utmost care, do not neglect professional installation. Squaring, framing, and finishing are all important parts of the installation and can make the difference between a comfortable home and a not so comfortable one.
Composite windows require little to no maintenance. Their resistance to warping, rotting and their strength against cold and heat make them a great choice for busy homeowners.
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Before you buy... Flooring
Flooring is one of the first things people notice when they walk into a home. It really sets the tone of the interior experience. Consider using a rapidly renewable floor, a reused or remanufactured flooring, or a natural flooring product like linoleum.
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