Vinyl vs. Wood Windows: What Are Best for My Home

Whether you’re looking for replacement windows for your home or are shopping around for new construction, you’ll likely face the challenge of what type of windows you should purchase. After all, window installation is an investment. Fortunately, there are several materials, styles, and colors to choose from when it comes to window manufacturing. Unfortunately, however, that can make the decision-making process a little more complicated.

At Berg Home Improvements, we specialize in two of the most common and reliable window materials – vinyl and wood. While both have much to offer, you can ultimately only choose one if you desire to keep a cohesive home exterior. To help make the decision just a little easier, we’ve put together a little comparison guide that highlights both materials’ strengths and inevitable weaknesses. Read on to learn more about these window options and discover the best replacement windows for your home!

High-Quality Vinyl Windows

We’ve seen a surge in the popularity of vinyl windows in recent years. Seeing as they are low maintenance and extremely durable, it’s not surprising that more and more homeowners in the Chicagoland area are starting to turn to vinyl windows when it comes time to replace their current fixtures. Aside from the obvious benefits of near non-existent cleanings and repairs, vinyl windows have much more to offer, including:

• Inexpensive to install and replace: Compared to other window materials, vinyl is one of the most affordable materials available on the market. Whether you’re installing them for the first time or replacing them after their extra-long lifespan, you’ll be hard-pressed to find windows that are less expensive – yet high quality – than vinyl.
• Attractive, fade-free color options: The great thing about vinyl windows? They come in fade-resistant colors that look great with any home exterior.
• Great lead times: Due to their popularity, many window manufacturers and Downers Grove window installers are putting emphasis on vinyl. This is great to hear as a customer, seeing as the time between selecting your windows and getting them installed is often shorter than other materials since we almost always have a great selection in stock.
• Unbeatable return on investment: Unlike driving a car off a lot and immediately losing thousands of dollars in value, vinyl windows are known for their ability to retain their value after installation. In 2020, the estimated return of vinyl windows averaged around 72%.

We can’t talk about the pros of vinyl windows without taking a look at the cons, as well. We can’t fault vinyl windows on their downfalls, though, considering they’re not necessarily dealbreakers for most purchasers:

• Limited color customization: If you’re looking for colors other than white or beige, you’re going to pay more if you go the vinyl route. The plus of the price, though, is that once you’ve installed colored vinyl, you’ll never have to repaint or restrain.
• Iffy insulation: Vinyl is hardly a go-to conductor of cold or heat. Their hollow frames, however, can allow cold air to pass through if not installed by professional window installers.

Classic Wooden Options

Wood windows are a staple in home construction, especially in older homes. For that reason, many still turn to this material for the classic, elegant look and feel. Wood windows are more than just beautiful, though:

• Easily customizable: If you’re indecisive about the color of your home or simply like to change up the style every few years, wood windows are a great option. They can be painted and stained almost any color, offering a plethora of customization options.
• Highly energy-efficient: Wooden windows rank high when it comes to insulation and a known for their role in reducing energy costs. If energy efficiency is at the top of your must-have list, turn to wooden windows.
• Unparalleled appearance: The best thing about wood windows is that they are effortlessly beautiful. The natural grain of the wood helps these windows to truly stand out amongst other materials.

We love wooden windows, but there are, like with most things, a few downsides as well:

• Pricer than other materials: Wood windows are in demand, yet not many manufacturers specialize in this material. Due to that, they’re a little costlier than other materials. However, their traditional look often makes up for the higher price tag.
• High-maintenance: These windows are some of the most high maintenance in the industry. You will have to restrain or repaint the frames every few years, and they are generally harder to clean than vinyl.
• Lower ROI than others: While still a great investment, wood windows have only a 69% return on investment – lower compared to other materials such as vinyl.

The Right Choice is Waiting for You at Berg Home Improvements

At Berg Home Improvements, we handle hundreds of window installations each year. If you’re ready to choose the right window for your home, give our Downers Grove window installers a call.