Yes, modern vinyl windows don’t just hold up well in Phoenix, but a good quality one can last thirty or forty years! There are many different levels of quality in a vinyl window, so it’s important to have a frank discussion with the salespersons and look closely at expected lifespan and warranty to get an idea of how long a specific brand is expected to last. Quality of a vinyl window can vary dramatically, and going with the least expensive one may significantly lessen how many years you’ll get out of the product. You’ll want to make sure it feels substantial, with little give when you try to flex the frame. It should also have multiple chambers inside the frame to give it strength, and have a small ratio of recycled vinyl to virgin vinyl, since recycled vinyl doesn’t have the same strength. The warranty should be substantial, since that can reflect manufacturer confidence in their product. Please avoid anything with a short warranty, or that is vinyl-clad, as it can be an expensive mistake in our desert climate.

Learn more about vinyl windows in Arizona and how to compare them, or contact us via telephone, email or Facebook if you have questions!

Even in the desert climate, today’s vinyl windows are durable and attractively priced. They’re one of our most popular products at DunRite. With today’s modern innovations and additives, homeowner’s can expect to get 25-40 years from the investment, provided they purchase a quality product. It’s important to choose vinyl replacement windows that are sturdy with a rigid frame that cannot be flexed. It has to be thick enough to withstand the test of time without sagging or warping.

It’s also important to avoid cheap vinyl windows, as they tend to have a higher ratio of recycled vinyl, which is substantially less durable than virgin vinyl. A longer warranty also signifies manufacturer confidence in the quality and longevity of the window, which is important.

Because we sell multiple manufacturers, we know the pros and cons of vinyl windows that are installed in Arizona. We rapidly stop selling anything that has warranty or product issues, and with more than twenty years of experience under our belts, know exactly which windows perform the best. When we come out to your home to provide an estimate, you can ask which product(s) the salesperson prefers, and if certain ones are more prone to issues. Since they’re immersed in product day in and day out, they can help you make an educated decision on which product is more suitable to your home and budget.

“Don’t assume quality because it’s made by a certain manufacturer. Each product line is different, and priced accordingly. It’s helpful to know that each window manufacturer has their own proprietary vinyl compound, too,” adds Sucato. “These vary widely, and some are more suited to Arizona climates than others, so ask about vinyl additives and compounds. They determine how well the product performs, and how many years the window will last before needing replacement.”

In our opinion, it’s just as important to compare the cost of new vinyl windows to the number of years you can expect from them, so you know the cost per year. If the most affordable vinyl windows last half as long as the next step up in quality, then you’re actually paying more across the usable lifespan of that cheap window than a longer lasting, more expensive window.

We hope you ask questions to absorb knowledge from each salesperson who visits your home, and perhaps take time to explore the manufacturer’s website of any product you’re considering, so you can see its ratings and reviews.

We also encourage you to consider how important it is to look outside of just one product manufacturer. It can help you get more bang for the buck.

High quality vinyl windows can last thirty years or more, and are a nice option for homes in the Phoenix area. However, when budget allows, we frequently recommend the Andersen® 100 Series of Fibrex® windows. Made from a robust blend of PVC polymers and reclaimed wood fibers, they’re substantially stronger than a vinyl window at a moderate price point.

They expand and contract less from heat and cold, and are 200% stronger than vinyl, and are paintable. You can also purchase them with an exterior color that differs from the interior, which is attractive to homeowners that want a white window frame inside the home, but a color that blends with their exterior paint colors on the outside. Fibrex windows have a distinctive appearance, due to a frame that is thicker than most vinyl windows. Learn more in our blog post, Are Andersen 100 Windows Good?

Vinyl windows can be sensitive to caustic materials, and cleaning tools that scratch or abrade the plastic. To protect your windows, we suggest using a soft cloth and simple bucket of warm soapy water to wipe down the frame and tracks. Just a tablespoon or two of liquid dish detergent works well. For cleaning the glass, you really do not need to use anything other than water and the right type of cloth. We recommend the e-cloth window cleaning set from Target or Amazon, which includes two microfiber clothes: one used damp with no cleaning product whatsoever, and one dry to wipe away moisture left by the scrub cloth. One caveat, though, is that the scrub cloth requires frequent rinsing, and the dry cloth only works when dry, so multiple sets or a quick tumble in the dryer between window cleanings might be necessary. If the dry cloth becomes damp, it no longer removes haze left from the damp cloth.

It’s important to review cleaning instructions from the manufacturer before using any product on your windows, as using the wrong product can cause damage and void the warranty. Plus, certain films, paints and tints may have special requirements.

Here’s the thing about black paint in a hot climate: it holds on to heat, absorbing it instead of reflecting. That’s never good for a vinyl product, which is easily damaged by levels of heat not intended by the manufacturer. Not only does it void the warranty, but it can lead to warping and sagging. Intentions of improving the look of the window can actually make things worse. Even paint made for vinyl can have issues, since a vinyl window will contract in cold weather, and expand in hot weather. That movement can defeat even the most stubborn paint.

Something else to be aware of? Painting a vinyl window will void the warranty. It changes energy efficiency of the window, and that heat absorption can do more than ruin the frame; it can impact glass, the seal, the argon gas, almost every aspect of the window.

Here’s the good news, though, if you’re thinking about investing in replacement windows. Black windows are trendy, and multiple manufacturers are now offering a black vinyl product. Because it’s done at the factory, there’s a warranty to protect the homeowner if problems develop. Ask us about them, and we’ll share what we know.

If you aren’t ready to invest in replacing windows, we suggest waiting until the warranty is expired. If at that point you are still determined to paint them, please use a qualified professional painter who will warranty their work, and discuss exactly what your costs will be if that paint peels off or damages the windows. What is covered by the warranty, and what is not? What is your out-of-pocket cost? What if the product is ruined and must be replaced, versus repainted? Know exactly what happens if something goes wrong, and what timeframes are included.

Painting vinyl windows is not something homeowners should ever attempt to do themselves, unless they’re prepared to replace the windows and repair any damage it might cause. Phoenix is hot, and black paint can definitely be problematic.

When your lawnmower tosses a rock through your double-paned vinyl window, you can’t drive over to the local glass shop with measurements and buy a pane of glass to caulk into the frame. Well, maybe you can if it’s a single-pane older window, but it’s definitely not recommended for double- or triple-pane windows… You’d lose all energy efficiency of that window. Instead, we suggest calling a glass repair company, who will swap in a new double-pane glass insert with argon gas and low-e coatings right into that vinyl window frame. It costs less than replacing the entire window, and it’s faster, too.

If you’re a die-hard DIY homeowner, you might be able to track down an insert to buy, and install it yourself… but that’s a lot of effort to save a minimal amount of money. And we don’t recommend replacing the entire window with product from a home improvements store. That’s more money and work than it’s worth, and that replacement window may not match the existing windows in color, style, functionality and energy efficiency.

Keep it simple, call a glass repair company.

When do you call a window and door company, instead of glass repair? Only if glass repairs are included in your warranty coverage. Otherwise, window and door companies can only replace the entire window, not the glass, and they typically require a minimum purchase of multiple windows.