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Article: Aluminum
Framed Replacement Windows
Aluminum
framed home replacement windows are mostly used today for commercial
structures and low-end condos and townhomes, mobile homes and apartments.
They are one of the cheapest windows to manufacturer.
Aluminum windows were
among the "best" windows 50-60 years ago and can be found in many of the
old, needing-remodel, ready-for-rehabbing houses.
These
type (or most likely steel-- but still metal) replacement windows are also
found in nearly every old basement window in US houses built in 1960 or
earlier.
Benefits of aluminum window frames include their strength, light weight
and durability.
Aluminum replacement windows are often advertised as being very strong.
However, any trailer-home resident can quickly point out their bent
windows!
In
addition, home replacement window installers find removing aluminum
windows an easy task-- because the frames can often be bent out of the
home window opening!
They are thin frames
allowing for more light and view. They are also very light weight and
might be suitable for a building (perhaps a commercial building) because
of these features.
However, aluminum frames
are the least energy efficient because of the high
conductivity of the aluminum itself. For example-- pots and pans made of
aluminum heat up very fast and hold the heat. Also, ice cube trays made of
aluminum make the ice cubes faster because they hold the cold supremely
well too!
The energy problem can be
helped a little bit if the aluminum windows are double paned and use some
kind of a "thermal break" with the home replacement window spacers between
the window panes or other construction of the window, however, they will
never match the energy efficiency of any other frame material.
For
example, the U-Factor, which is usually .28 to .31 in the BEST windows, is
ONLY often .41 to .60 in aluminum framed windows.
Aluminum frames also make
up most storm windows. Many homeowners falsely think adding storm windows
to already drafty and foggy old windows will be energy efficient, and,
instead the storm windows help to conduct in more of the hot and cold air
because of the aluminum!
It is often
cheaper and more energy efficient for a homeowner to install a good
quality double pane new window than to spend the money for parts and labor
to put in storm windows or replace old aluminum framed windows because of
future gas and electric bill savings..
Michael Dennis
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About the author
IPS Group,
Inc. Board Member and Director of their Home Improvement Division,
Michael Dennis is an avid real estate fix and flip investor, a former
long-time replacement window salesman, and the
author of several books and websites on home replacement windows including
How to Save Thousands on Replacement Windows: The Homeowner's Insider
Secrets Manual, and the tell-all report on the big-brand home
improvement centers, The 7 Myths The Big-Brand Home Improvement Centers
Want You to Believe About Replacement Windows. Visit
their website at
www.vinylwindowmanufacturer.com to get your copy TODAY.
Copyright © 2006-2009. All Rights Reserved.
www.vinylwindowmanufacturer.com
IPS Group, Inc.
191 University Blvd Ste 860
Denver, CO 80206 USA
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