If you're dealing with single-pane windows and outdated and leaky aluminum or wood frames, one of the best upgrades you can make in your home to cut down on draftiness and noise is upgrading to vinyl replacement windows. Vinyl windows may be affordable and can increase energy savings, but are they right for your home? Here are the pros and cons of a vinyl window installation:

PROS

Affordable

One characteristic of vinyl windows that helps make them more desirable is affordability. Compared to other materials like wood frames, vinyl window frames are easy on the wallet and it's not as hard to justify a big purchase when it won't break the bank and when it will also result in an increase in energy savings.

Energy Savings

Yes, it's true. Vinyl windows can help increase energy savings in your home and therefore decrease the cost to heat and cool your home. Vinyl frames have great insulating qualities and can help reduce the heat transfer to and from your home, especially when paired with two or more panes of glass and a frame filled with insulating material.

Moisture Resistance

If you live in a wet climate with high humidity, vinyl is also a great choice because of its moisture resistance. It also resists mold and mildew growth very well so you don't have to worry about the material breaking down over time.

Easy Maintenance

There are few window materials easier to maintain than vinyl. It can be wiped clean with soap and water and won't require repainting or re-staining.

CONS

Difficult to Customize

One of the biggest drawbacks of vinyl windows is that customization can be difficult because of the manufacturing process. It's often easier to get vinyl windows when you can rely on pre-made standard sizes. Although customization is possible, it costs quite a bit more to accomplish and will up the price of your windows significantly. It's not just about the size, either. Custom colors also create additional costs. Fortunately, there are typically several pre-manufactured colors to choose from.

Hard to Paint

The same quality that makes vinyl frames great for repelling moisture also makes them difficult to paint because they repel most liquids. If you must paint your vinyl replacement windows a different color, you will need to use specialty primer and paint and the process may be a little more time-consuming. The average latex or oil-based paint won't adhere to vinyl and you'll find that it will quickly peel and flake off of the frames.