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For the last two decades, vinyl windows have really taken off as the ideal modern solution in the window industry. However, some people are starting to realize that vinyl windows are not all they’re cracked up to be. For Dayton homeowners, the issue of failed vinyl windows is a really big deal, especially after making such a big investment. Here are a few of the most common reasons that vinyl windows are failing today:
Expansion
The number one reason that vinyl windows fail in Dayton homes has to do with expansion. Summers in Dayton can get quite hot, and the space between a window and a curtain can really build up heat concentration. Vinyl material expands about twice as fast and far as wood framing, and significantly faster than glass. The result is that the vinyl framing expands rapidly while the glass expands slowly, pulling apart the seals that hold the glass and framing together. Once this seal is broken, condensation and leaks begin.
Bad Drying Agent
In order to keep moisture and condensation from building up between two-pane windows, a spacer is installed full of a drying agent. The drying agent absorbs moisture out of the air space and holds it in. Unfortunately, once the drying agent becomes fully saturated, it cannot absorb and more moisture. When this happens, the agent begins to slowly slump down toward the bottom of the window where it becomes visible, and over time moisture begins to creep outwards from the area where it gathers at the bottom of the window. Once it gets inside, it is impossible to get the moisture out.
Pressure Cracks
In some rare cases, there have also been reports of pressure cracks in the glass caused by temperature swings in the winter. As mentioned above with the expansion issues, vinyl windows also contract faster than the glass around them. When this happens, it places pressure along the edges of the glass. In addition, the space between the window panes is filled with pressurized gas to prevent the transfer of heat. When the frame contracts, it also compresses that gas, which presses outward on the window panes. Homeowners may come home to find that there are large cracks in the glass, typically starting in the corners and spreading up toward the center of the window pane. This is caused by the sudden application of pressure from the vinyl contracting. While some companies do offer warranties against this type of damage, once the window is opened for repair, the whole sash could be negatively affected.
While vinyl windows are most popular choice of windows, considering a vinyl alternative —like our Fibrex windows— is your best bet for beautiful, long-lasting windows. Fibrex composite material combines the strength and stability of wood frame windows with the low-maintenance features of vinyl. Also, because of composite using real wood fiber, the frames can be narrower allowing more glass area. More glass means more and a better view. Fibrex frame windows are also great for the ever-changing climate of the Dayton area.
These are just three of the most common reasons that vinyl windows are failing in Dayton homes today. Renewal by Andersen manufactures windows using a durable Fibrex material that is less responsive to changes in temperature, and less likely to gather moisture. For more information, contact us today and schedule your free consultation.