The history of vinyl windows

Vinyl has become a viable rival to traditional materials like wood over the years. It has proven to be comparable, if not more efficient in many cases, to the use of windows and doors, offering design flexibility, minimal maintenance, and energy and cost saving efficiencies.

The word “window” originates from the Norse word “vindauga”, which loosely translates as “eye for the wind”. The window was meant to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

After the end of World War II, there was a shortage of materials such as wood, aluminum, and steel, so the Germans, in their efforts to rebuild, began using a vinyl frame, which was a new thermoplastic. In 1959, the BF Goodrich Company, a vinyl resin manufacturer, decided to try its hand at producing vinyl windows, offering elegant designs similar to those found on wood or metal window frames. The Americans found these to be much more acceptable designs, compared to the smaller and bulkier German designs.

Designs improved and popularity grew; vinyl sales grew in the mid-1990s for both new construction and remodels by 125%. Most window manufacturers offer vinyl windows as an option along with their more traditional wood and metal frames. Innovations in vinyl formulations have helped improve flexibility in designs.

With the improvements made in the past few decades to the vinyl window manufacturing process, maintenance is virtually non-existent and non-essential. If the product requires a little cleaning, common household cleaners will do the job quickly and leave the window looking like new. The average life of a vinyl window varies depending on the use of the item, but warranties are offered on average from 20 to 30 years. To ensure build quality and window performance, most vinyl windows produced today are certified by a third-party company and are independently lab tested to strict industry standards.

Some of the more recent innovations done to vinyl are the addition of sawdust and cellular foam. Wood mixed with vinyl has made a new option of recording vinyl to look like wood and can even be stained or painted like wood. The use of cellular foam has made big differences in the shapes and appearances of the trim. These are great to use as they do not rot or deteriorate at all. Vinyl windows and other products made using the same process are colorfast because the color is not just on the surface but is extruded through the entire product. The product not only does not rot or rust, but is impervious to pests such as ants and termites. When done correctly, the product also contains UV inhibitors to protect against sun damage and cracking or splitting.

Windows made from vinyl frames are suitable for most construction needs, but they cannot be used in high-rise buildings or where there are constant high winds. Windows are tested to determine the limits that vinyl windows can safely withstand. Over the years, the cost of vinyl windows has become much more affordable due to the popularity and easy access to the products needed to make the vinyl or vinyl compounds. As a result, they have become a cost-effective alternative to metal and wood frames.