One of the primary considerations homeowners must take into account when selecting the best replacement windows is the upkeep and maintenance those windows require. Despite what advertisers like to tell you, no replacement window is completely maintenance free: all windows get dirty, get exposed to the elements, and need a little attention from time to time.
However, not all replacement windows need the same amount of care. Homeowners who opt for traditional wood windows soon find themselves needing to paint frames and sills. Random scratches and dings look terrible until they’re addressed — and addressing that damage can be problematic if the window is on the second or third floor!
A large question to consider is who will be doing the upkeep and maintenance on your replacement windows. For most people, this is a job they do themselves. If you’re not physically fit, have impaired balance, or limited mobility the thought of climbing up on a ladder to clean or paint windows is not an appealing one.
Vinyl replacement windows offer the ultimate in easy maintenance. Most high quality vinyl replacement windows are designed to tilt in for easy cleaning. This is a must-have feature for the aging homeowner who plans to stay in their residence: while it may not seem like a big deal to clean the windows when you’re forty, at sixty-five or seventy, the task becomes much more involved.
Cleaning vinyl replacement windows requires nothing more than your favorite glass cleaner. The sash, sill and frame can easily be wiped down with warm water. A mild detergent can be used if your windows have been marred with stubborn sticky materials, such as bird droppings, sap and pollen from surrounding trees, or the results of pollution.
Additionally, the color on vinyl replacement windows goes all the way through. That means that if a stray branch or piece of wind-blown debris scratches or dings your window frame, it is not immediately visible. The wound doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb for all the world to see. You don’t have to worry about the flaw being visible to the neighbors or passers by. The same is not true for wood replacement windows: you’d find yourself out there with a paintbrush, either trying to match the existing finish and cover the ding (good luck!) or repainting the entire frame.
Hands down, vinyl replacement windows offer the easiest maintenance. This makes them appealing to homeowners who plan to be in their homes for the long haul, who like to eliminate unneccessary chores and who like to make cleaning quick and easy!