#Ultrex windows grid options professional
#Ultrex windows grid options free

They also tend to feel cold to the touch and are prone to condensation. (Higher is not better here - the higher the U-value, the more heat a frame loses.) Compared with vinyl or wood frames, which fall within the 0.3 to 0.5 range, aluminum frames can have a U-value as high as 2. The major drawback to aluminum-frame windows is their metal frame-they conduct heat easily, earning them a high U-value.

#Ultrex windows grid options free

Be sure any exposed wood is free of blemishes and that finger joints aren't visible.Īluminum-frame windows offer the low cost and low maintenance of vinyl versions they're also durable. When shopping for wood windows, look for easy operation and tight-fitting corners. These advantages mean clad-wood windows usually cost more than ordinary wood. The result is a tough, maintenance-free exterior and a natural-wood interior that you can paint or stain. Some manufacturers address that required upkeep by cladding the wood with vinyl - as is the case with Andersen Windows - or aluminum. The knock against them is maintenance: They must be painted or stained periodically to look good and remain protected from the elements. As might be expected, good ones also cost the most. They're strong, beautiful and relatively energy efficient.

#Ultrex windows grid options professional

Wood-frame windows are slowly losing their market dominance to vinyl, though they're still considered the gold standard by many professional installers and homeowners. You can expect a two- to six-week wait if you order custom units. Also look for joints that are heat-welded rather than joined with screws or other fasteners. When shopping, look for a uniform color throughout the frame. Even traditional wood-window companies now offer vinyl-frame replacement lines Retrovision from Weather Shield and Monument from Hurd are two prominent examples. Today, nationwide companies such as Owens Corning and CertainTeed offer a variety of units in stock and custom sizes. Vinyl-frame windows first appeared in the 1970s when small fabricators produced custom replacement options in sizes not offered by manufacturers of stock wood windows. And unlike wood, they never need repainting, though colors are limited. They're also especially energy efficient, thanks to a honeycomb of chambers that boost insulating ability by trapping air, and can be built to fit any size opening. Vinyl-frame windows are the most affordable - as little as half the price of comparable wood-frame versions. Windows frames come in a number of different materials, including wood, vinyl aluminum, fiberglass and composite plastic. While the added options also expand your decisions list, new labeling programs make choosing well-built, energy-efficient windows easier than ever. They now include money-saving versions that allow you to replace the glass and sash without replacing the frame. Indeed, 'replacement windows' are no longer limited to the kind that involve ripping out the old window and installing a new prime window. Manufacturers have expanded those choices with new frame materials, glazing and installation options. Still others rival fine cabinetry in eye appeal. Some windows also free you from periodic painting. Modern window frames cut air infiltration down to almost zero and, when used with advanced glazings, can slash up to 40 percent off your heating and cooling bills. New windows can make a dramatic difference in any home, whether you want to improve its appearance, open up a spectacular view or simply replace worn units that seem to let in more wind and rain than they keep out.