Benefits and Drawbacks of uPVC Windows

Imagine a home with no windows in it. Would you prefer to live there? We don’t think so.

Windows are one of the most essential parts of a household. They provide light, air, and aesthetics. That’s why you must invest a significant amount of time and money while choosing the perfect windows for your home. However, doing so can be a daunting task, since there are a lot of factors to be considered. You need to consider its design, size, colour, aesthetics, price, and most importantly durability. 

While there are so many options available, one of the most popular choices among people is uPVC or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride windows. These windows are made of a hard plastic material, which is resistant to corrosion, pollution, mould, and moisture. However, they also come with their fair share of drawbacks.

In this article, you will learn about the benefits and drawbacks of uPVC windows that will help you decide whether you should go for them or not.

Benefits of uPVC Windows

We will start with the benefits of uPVC windows, highlighting why they are quite popular among homeowners.

Energy Efficiency 

Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride is an excellent insulator. Due to the insulation properties, uPVC windows can regulate your home temperature, thus keeping it comfortable regardless of the seasons.

Also, uPVC windows can prevent draughts and reduce heat loss, thus lowering your reliance on your HVAC system for heating and cooling. 

Imagine your home is warm during the winter and cool during the summer. It means your heating or cooling system doesn’t need to work hard to keep your home at its optimum temperature. It will eventually reduce your energy bills and save you a lot of money.

Besides, uPVC windows come with good sound insulation properties. They can easily block out unwanted noise from outside, thus creating a calm and peaceful environment at your home.

Durability and Low Maintenance

Durability is a major player when it comes to choosing windows for your home. 

uPVC windows are resistant to corrosion, rust, and damage resulting from continuous exposure to the elements, such as sun, wind, salt spray, and rain. That’s why they can last for decades without cracking, fading, or warping.

Besides, uPVC windows don’t need to be painted, sealed, or sanded, which is a significant perk for many homeowners.

Unlike wooden or metal windows, uPVC windows are moisture-resistant. So they won’t rot, rust, or damage over time. These windows also do not support combustion and have excellent fire resistance.

You can easily clean uPVC windows with a damp cloth and mild detergent. They are also resistant to termites and insects, so there’s no way insects can damage your windows.

Cost-Effectiveness

Imagine you’ve saved a lot of money while installing windows. However, they started giving trouble just after a few months, causing you to spend a good amount of money on repairing them. 

Or, what if your home feels like a microwave during summer and it’s freezing during the winter? You understand how much you need to pay for electricity bills. 

uPVC windows can save you a lot of money regarding these factors. As they are extremely durable and require less maintenance, you can save a lot in the long run.

Besides, uPVC windows can keep your home temperature at a comfortable level, thus reducing the load on your HVAC systems. So, you can expect to pay less for your electricity bills.

Potential for Recycling and Sustainability

uPVC is a highly durable material, insulating, thermally efficient, and low maintenance recyclable – all these qualities make this material one of the most sustainable products available on the market.

What makes these windows an eco-friendly choice is that almost all the parts are from renewable sources. It means once these windows have completed their useful lives, they can also be recycled.

And why not? The glass in these windows can be crushed and melted to create new glass products. The metal part can be melted and repurposed. And, the uPVC can also be recycled and made into new uPVC windows, thus helping you to reduce your carbon footprint.

Drawbacks of uPVC Windows

You can’t always have too much of a good thing. So these popular uPVC windows also come with a few downsides, including:

Limited Color Options & Less Aesthetic

uPVC windows come in different sizes and colours, but the colour options are limited. Besides, these windows have a synthetic look and feel, which makes them less appealing than wooden and metal windows.

If the windows become stained or old, it’s not easy to repaint them to change the colour or appearance. 

Also, if you have an older home with a heritage vibe, uPVC windows won’t be a good match.

Thermal Expansion and Contraction

uPVC windows can easily expand due to changes in weather, temperature, and humidity. 

This can compromise the insulation and security of your home by causing gaps between the frames and the walls.

Also, it can make the windows stick to or jam due to expansion. If that happens, your window won’t close properly.

Environmental Concerns

We all know that uPVC windows are recyclable. However, they are not biodegradable, meaning that it will take them a long time to decompose in landfills. 

Besides, while burning, they will release toxic chemicals to the environment and pollute the water and soil.

And if that wasn’t enough, the production of uPVC involves the use of chlorine and petroleum. These are non-renewable resources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Difficulty in Repairing uPVC Windows

It may break your heart knowing that uPVC windows can’t be repaired. Once the windows are broken or have any tear, you need to replace them entirely.

However, it’s a minor issue since these windows are quite durable. So the chances of being damaged are quite low.

Conclusion

Durability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance are some of the many benefits that make uPVC windows a popular choice among homeowners. However, they also come with some drawbacks that need to be considered while installing windows in your home.

It should be the decision of the homeowner to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of uPVC windows and determine if they are the right choice for their home. The choice also depends on your personal preferences, home style, budget, and environmental concerns.

Whatever the reasons are, you need to think about the pros and cons carefully and compare them with other products available in the market before purchasing.