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Wood vs. Vinyl Sliding Glass Doors: Which is Better for Your Home?

In your home improvement shopping adventures, you’re sure to discover replacement doors and windows come in various options of framing materials, including the two most popular: vinyl and wood. You’ll also learn about the comparisons between the performance of the two. Here’s a point-by-point comparison of the benefits of wood vs. vinyl sliding glass doors. (Also, see our comparison of aluminum vs. vinyl window frames.)

Wood vs. Vinyl Sliding Glass Doors Comparison

Vinyl replacement sliding glass doors and windows offer significant advantages over wood and other framing materials. Here are the key areas of comparison to differentiate the benefits of wood from vinyl sliding doors:

Energy Efficiency Comparison

Wood is understood to be a building material with low energy efficiency. But, high-performance vinyl framing for windows and sliding glass doors is recognized as the world’s most energy-efficient material for this purpose. Of course, not all vinyl sliding doors are as good as the best sliding vinyl door. So, be sure you’re getting patio doors made with the most advanced engineering in vinyl exterior door frame assembly and the most energy-efficient glass.

Advanced Window Products vinyl sliding glass door frames are designed with an interior system of insulating containments that adds exceptional strength to the frame and boosts the door’s thermal performance. That means significant prevention of energy loss and greater comfort in your home with a vinyl door frame.

Home Comfort Comparison

As mentioned, wood has very poor insulative properties. By stark comparison, construction-grade vinyl is now used for over 70% of window frames due to its superior insulative properties and exceptional cost-effectiveness. Sliding glass doors with vinyl framing perform better than wood frames in slowing the transfer of heat through the frame, delivering superior performance as an insulator around the glass panels in sliding patio doors.

Aesthetic Appeal of Sliding Glass Door Types

Replacement vinyl windows have transformed over the past decades from plain utility window frame coverings. They’ve become today’s elegant, textured framing with the finest millwork appearance in a vast array of beautiful color options. The unique aesthetic features possible in a modern vinyl exterior door are due to technological advancements in the industry, including the development of new state-of-the-art processes for sculpting and coloration.

It is virtually impossible to see the difference between wood and high-quality vinyl molded with a wood-textured look. That’s a key reason why high-performance vinyl replacement sliding glass patio doors and residential windows have gained a major market share over the past two decades.

Comparative Maintenance Requirements

Wood rots and wooden sliding glass doors need the most frequent and intensive maintenance of any window or sliding glass door type. Vinyl replacement glass doors long outlast wood versions with minimal maintenance.

  • Wood requires laborious maintenance and periodic repainting to preserve the finish and protect the door frame from relatively rapid deterioration. Wood door frame maintenance requires brushing the wood to get a clear examination for mold, cracks, and other symptoms of wear. Then the entire surface of the frames must be sanded, treated by wood filling deteriorated areas, sanded again, and repainted.
  • The vinyl door frame color is bonded into the raw material, so it does not have the peeling or fading problems that homeowners have with wood door and window frames. In total, vinyl patio doors require very little work and virtually no expense to maintain. They cost around 80% less maintenance time and money than wood-framed doors.

Long-Term Durability of Vinyl Sliding Doors vs. Wood Options

Wood door and window frames are porous, making them vulnerable to deterioration. Leading to leaking air and moisture around the edges over time. The repetitive stress worsens the surface. Internal disintegration and warping occur from opening and closing. Not to mention the continual settling of the wood door over the years after installation.

Vinyl doors consist of polyvinylchlorides (PVC) is, an extraordinarily tough, impact-resistant, nonporous construction material. It withstands impacts and is not susceptible to corrosion, termite infestation, and damage from use. It also resists cracking due to temperature changes, fading in direct sunlight, and effects of other extreme external conditions better than wood framing.

Initial Cost Wood vs. Vinyl Sliding Doors

Vinyl patio door manufacturers can produce at a notably lower total cost for materials and labor than manufacturers of wood patio doors can. That’s why the price is so much lower for vinyl replacement sliding glass doors.

Comparative Installation Time

Replacement vinyl sliding glass doors typically take about an hour to install. For a wood sliding door, expect it to take around 2 to 3 times longer. Those general time estimates both include removing the existing slider and cleaning up the area after the installation is completed. So, many more windows can be installed in a day on a large project.

Comparative Contribution to Resale Value

Naturally, home buyers want patio doors and windows that are attractive. As well as energy-efficient, easy to maintain, durable, and will keep the home comfortable. Deteriorated wood doors or windows can negatively impact property value. Savvy buyers are aware that wood windows and doors need frequent maintenance. They also know that vinyl replacement glass patio doors and windows provide superior energy performance, incomparably lower maintenance, equal beauty, and greater durability than wood models.

Also, see our blog post on the pros and cons of vinyl vs. wood windows.

Best Vinyl Sliding Glass Patio Doors

Advanced Window Products is Utah’s top manufacturer of energy-efficient replacement sliding glass doors. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and our Double Lifetime Warranty for your long-term peace of mind.

For questions about our line of sliding glass patio doors, call Advanced Window Products at (801) 505-9622, or contact us here on our website for more information!

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What’s the Best Season to Replace Windows? A Homeowner’s Guide

Each season of the year offers certain benefits for homeowners who are replacing windows. But, you may wonder if there’s an ideal time of year for buying and installing windows. For example, it may seem impossible to install new windows during winter without a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. But, actually, replacing worn-out windows in any season can offer significant benefits to your family’s health and comfort and in reducing high energy bills. 

Why Not Just Wait to Replace My Windows? 

Around 25 to 30 percent of energy loss from homes is through windows. So, switching out leaky old worn-out windows with energy-efficient replacement windows is the solution to minimizing electricity waste. Are you still wondering how it makes sense to replace windows even in cold weather? There are actually numerous benefits from replacing windows in the winter. Still doubtful? Read on!

Springtime Window Replacements

On the downside, as the weather gets warmer in the spring, the busiest season of the year begins for window installers. That means you will need to plan well in advance and work with the installers to fit your installation into their schedule and yours at a time that works well for them and your family. The big benefit of installing new windows in the spring is that days are becoming longer, so there are more hours of sunlight. That means installation can be completed in fewer days.

If it’s spring and you need window replacements, it’s time to get it done before blazing hot summer temperatures bring soaring electricity costs in the summer.

Installing New Windows in the Summer

Everyone wants to do their window replacements in the summer. Everyone! That means summer is naturally the busiest season of the year for installers. That can make scheduling a convenient time difficult. The good thing about summer window replacement is that there are no concerns about temperatures plunging below freezing during the installation process. Warmer temperatures also help caulk set well. On the other hand, flying insects can be an extreme nuisance in some areas when they come through openings during window removals. 

For summer installation, July is recommended as the best month to schedule. There’s a lot going on in July, with getting kids ready to go back to school, family vacations, etc. So, there may be greater flexibility in scheduling window installations, and you may get a discounted rate for scheduling in July.

Window Installation in the Fall

Worn-out, poorly functioning windows are a bigger problem in winter. So, there are major benefits for homeowners who get window replacement done in the fall, before the coldest weather arrives with the brutally high heating bills. Colder weather brings more moist conditions indoors, which can cause condensation and promote mold growth, which is dangerous to human health. 

Replacing windows in the fall allows homeowners to avoid such issues. It enables you to go into the winter fully prepared with high-performance energy-efficient windows protecting your family’s health and comfort and your property’s condition.

Window Replacements During Winter

During winter weather, the cold emanating through old frail windows and the drafts from air leaks around the deteriorated frames can make the need for replacements more pressing. In many cases, homeowners are faced with the choice of either living through the entire winter with bad windows that don’t work or replacing them promptly. In such situations, the benefits of new windows installed in winter are greater than in any other season. You can start enjoying a much healthier, more comfortable, properly functioning home, and extreme winter heating losses are immediately reduced.  

Additionally, winter is the slowest season for window installers. So, you’re likely to have your choice of time slots for installation. Another bonus of wintertime window replacement is that window companies often offer their best specials on window sales and installation pricing. 

Wait, won’t installing windows in winter let cold air into my house?

The Advanced Window Products winter installation process is coordinated to minimize heat loss inside the home. We have additional installers on winter installation projects to limit exposure of the home’s interior to the cold outside air. It takes just a few minutes for the removal of the old window and position the new window to cover the wall opening.

So, Window Installation Is For All Seasons!

Ultimately, if you have old, thin, drafty, fragile, malfunctioning windows, you and your family will benefit from getting them replaced as soon as possible during any season of the year. Poor windows can cause outrageous electricity costs, and they can overwork your HVAC system trying to keep up with extreme heating and cooling losses. 

Plus, as we’ve seen above, every season of the year offers strong benefits for replacing windows instead of waiting. Even winter, which may seem like the worst time to replace windows, can be the best time to replace windows for many homeowners.

Best Replacement Windows

Advanced Window Products is a leading manufacturer of high-performance energy-efficient replacement windows. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee and Double Lifetime Warranty ensure quality giving our customers peace of mind.

For information about replacement windows, call Advanced Window Products at (801) 505-9622, or contact us here on the website to schedule a free in-home estimate!

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Modern Black-Framed Vinyl Windows Installation for Your Home

The timeless, high-end look of modern black windows elevates the curb appeal and makes a home stand out as one of the most attractive in a neighborhood. Black windows display the ideal blend of a progressive design trend and a timeless architectural aesthetic. There are countless beautiful selections in black window designs. Here, we’ll consider the options for homeowners and the best way to get the best value in today’s most desirable black-framed windows for homes.

Black Window Frames Withstand the Test of Time

Although black window frames are a current decorating trend, they’ve been a timeless option for unique interior and exterior design for many generations. They’ve gone from use in industrial buildings in the 1800s to become high aesthetic features in upscale urban apartments and finer rural homes in 2022. 

In any setting, the uniqueness, sleekness, and warmth of black window frames together evoke a sense of sleek yet serene, truly idyllic design character. 

Style Benefits of Black Windows

The simultaneously neutral and bold image of black windows fits virtually any home design. These are just some of the most prominent attributes that have made black windows famous:

  • Timeless: white window frames are most common, so a home with black windows stands out from the crowd and presents a refreshing aesthetic. Black is always in style. 
  • Versatile: Black is uniquely both a neutral and bold choice at once. It pops with any siding texture and color and even makes stone, brick, or rustic wood homes look sleek.
  • Visual Interest:  Black window frames showcase the style and shape of a home’s windows. They add strong architectural interest to otherwise average building designs.

The Expensive Risks In Painting Your Window Frames

You may wonder, why shouldn’t I just paint my existing windows black? But, what might appear to be an economical alternative can cost a lot to undo. Homeowners who paint their own windows often make typical errors in cleaning, priming, and painting that cause the finish to peel. The result can lead to extreme time and money costs for sanding and refinishing. 

Even when appropriately painted as a DIY project, durability is often poor and ongoing maintenance is intensive. With new black vinyl windows, you benefit from the ultimate quality of finishing, maximum durability, energy efficiency, and warranty protection.

The Best Value In Modern Black Windows

You can realize your vision for a gorgeous home with energy-efficient black windows of any shape and size you can imagine from Advanced Window Products. All our window styles come in black. Or, we can create custom black windows to suit your needs and tastes precisely. Here are just some of the Advanced window options that take on a whole new image in black:

  • Black Casement Windows
  • Black Double Hung Windows
  • Black Sliding Windows
  • Black Bay Windows
  • Black Custom Windows

Add black-framed doors to pull together an ideally finished look.

Stunning Black Windows – Advanced Window Products

Our gorgeous, top-quality, energy-efficient black windows are affordable and low-maintenance. The black coatings we use are formulated for a beautiful, highly durable finish. We’re a green business, so, like all our products, our black windows are also environmentally friendly. 

For the best black windows, call Advanced Window Products at (801) 505-9622, or contact us online to schedule a free in-home consultation and estimate!

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