You have quite the choice when it comes to what type of windows you want to use in your home, particularly where material and style are concerned.
With such a choice before you, it can be difficult to select the right one for your home, since benefits and features can easily be overlooked.
While we are particularly proud of our selection of wooden and aluminium windows in Johannesburg, there are a number of benefits to using our uPVC windows in your home or place of work that we feel you should know about the next time you are looking to replace or remodel your windows.
But what are uPVC windows? What are their benefits, and why should you consider installing them in your home?
We will cover all of this and more right here by exploring their top benefits, comparing them to wooden and aluminium windows, showing you what styles of uPVC windows you can opt for, and also examining answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about uPVC windows in Johannesburg and how they fit into our climate, to help you make the most informed choice that you can the next time you are looking for a window replacement for your home or office.
So, let’s start simply by taking a closer look at what exactly uPVC windows are:
What are uPVC Windows?
uPVC stands for ‘un-plasticised polyvinyl chloride’. It is a type of plastic that can be used across a range of applications in manufacturing but is typically used as an alternative to glass.
It has a range of unique properties and benefits, particularly when used in the manufacture of windows and, even more commonly, pipework.
When it comes to its use in windows and doors, uPVC provides unparalleled durability and strength, making it a particularly long-lasting option when compared to other materials such as wood and aluminium.
It also offers remarkable efficiency with regards to temperature control thanks to its insulating properties. This means that using them often results in a more energy-efficient home.
Not only does uPVC offer practical advantages like those touched on above, but it is also a fairly cost-effective option when compared to other types of materials for doors and windows.
uPVC windows are also considered to be a safer option for homes and particularly the environment; more often than not being produced from recycled materials. For the safety of the individual, uPVC windows are also non-toxic in most cases, so long as they are not burnt.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top contextual benefits offered by uPVC windows in Johannesburg, and how they make for the perfect solution in our climate.
The Top Benefits of uPVC Windows in Homes?
uPVC windows are inexpensive:
Considering the materials that uPVC windows are made from, they are often a far cheaper option than aluminium and wooden windows. While they offer exceptional savings, however, they do not compromise on quality, and add to the aesthetic appeal of your home.
uPVC windows require very little maintenance:
uPVC windows require very little maintenance when compared to those made from timber or aluminium. This is because they offer great resistance to weathering and won’t warp or discolour overtime.
They may require a thorough cleaning a few times a year, but when that is compared to the maintenance required by other materials for windows and frames, the time spent on doing this sort of maintenance is generally negligible.
uPVC windows are energy efficient:
uPVC windows offer exceptional insulation properties, locking hot or cold air into your indoor spaces more effectively than other materials do. This means that your household will become less reliant on appliances to cool your home, which also equates to fewer expenses when it comes to your monthly electricity bills in both winter and summer.
uPVC windows help with sound control:
Because of their excellent insulation properties, uPVC windows also work well when controlling sound in your home. If you live near noisy traffic, tend to overextend on your home-theatre system or simply like to maintain an environment of silence in your home, uPVC windows are an excellent addition to any home that values tranquillity.
uPVC windows are durable:
uPVC is quite hardy in comparison to other materials. They won’t warp as wood does, they are resistant to the effects of weather and are quite a bit more robust than glass. This gives them the added benefit of enhancing your home security since they are not easily damaged by those seeking to gain access to your home.
uPVC windows are safe to use:
Because of their added durability and security, uPVC windows are an ideal solution for those homes concerned not only with security but safety as well.
They will not break easily should an accident occurs, which means that they pose less of a risk of injury than many other types of windows.
How do they Compare to Other Options?
To fully demonstrate the many benefits offered by uPVC windows, let’s take a moment to compare them to some of the other options available to you; namely wooden windows and aluminium ones.
Wooden Windows vs uPVC Windows
Comparing the Price:
The first thing we can compare between uPVC windows and wooden ones is the price. While prices may vary from context to context, uPVC windows generally offer a much lower price than wooden ones will.
The Difference in Maintenance:
Wooden windows also require quite a bit more maintenance than uPVC ones, since wood has to be regularly treated to retain its condition.
Aesthetic Appeal:
Many people do, however, consider the aesthetics of wooden windows to be better than those offered by uPVC, and when they are correctly maintained, generally last an exceptionally long time in comparison. Wooden windows have an average lifespan of about 60 years; whereas uPVC windows typically last around 20 years or 35 years at a push.
A Comparison of Lifespan:
Still, 10-35 years is a long time for something to last, and when one considers the efforts put into wooden window maintenance, the difference between their lifespans doesn’t seem so bad.
Impact on the environment:
Wooden windows do, however, offer a more environmentally-friendly system, especially when sourced from environmentally-conscious manufacturers; considering the chemical processes used to produce uPVC.
Aluminium Windows vs uPVC Windows
Durability and strength:
Aluminium windows in Johannesburg, when faced by our harsh climate, also offer a bit of a longer lifespan than uPVC windows. They boast a lifespan of about 45 years. Remember too that aluminium doesn’t rust, so it weathers about as well as uPVC; albeit at quite a bit more of a cost.
The Difference in Price:
Which brings us to our next point, aluminium isn’t the cheapest material out there, and when applied to windows, nothing changes. So, if you are prepared to fork out a little more on your windows, aluminium might be a good option, but if you want to keep things within budget, uPVC windows are definitely the way to go.
Thermal efficiency:
Aluminium does, however, offer a much lower level of thermal efficiency than uPVC windows, which means that they aren’t ideal for temperature control in your home. This means that by using them instead of uPVC windows, you will likely be spending more on cooling and heating costs.
Durability and Strength:
Both aluminium and uPVC windows offer exceptional durability and strength, especially when compared to wooden windows. So, for those with a greater need for security, either aluminium or uPVC would be a pretty good way to go.
Aesthetic Appeal:
If there is one thing that makes aluminium superior to uPVC windows, it’s the aesthetic finishes they offer. Aluminium windows can be manufactured to be far sleeker than uPVC ones, giving them a bit more of an aesthetic style.
Still, uPVC isn’t exactly un-aesthetic. They are still beautiful to look at and add a great sense of style to the home, albeit not with the minimalistic approach you would expect from aluminium windows.
Types of uPVC Windows
Now that we’ve covered what uPVC windows are, what their benefits are when installing to homes, and have compared how they stack up with wooden and aluminium windows in Johannesburg, let’s see what types of uPVC windows you can get that are perfect for our climate:
Casement Windows
As the name would suggest, casement windows are encased by a single frame, and either come as a single or dual window, each held up one or more hinges on either side. Because of they’re flexible designed, they are also far more energy-efficient than other types of windows, which when combined with uPVC’s thermal properties, making them an incredibly efficient option.
They also come in a variety of designs, are very easy to open and close, and offer exceptional ventilation.
Bay Windows
The defining characteristic of bay windows is that they project outward from the main walls of a structure to create the illusion of more space in the structure’s interior. This makes them excellent for allowing more light into internal spaces, but are typically a little more expensive than other types.
Sliding Windows
These types of windows are named for their gliding sashes which allow the window to move either left or right when opening and closing. They offer more configurations for ventilation depending on their type, with all types offering superior ventilation when compared to other styles.
They are also particularly easy to clean and maintain thanks to their simplistic design and independently operated sashes.
Tilt & Turn Windows
Much like in the case of casement windows, tilt and turn windows can be fully opened to allow for better insulation. They can also be tilted from the bottom of the window so that it creates an angle at the top to reduce the opening for ventilation.
They also offer enhanced security since they allow the window to be tilted open without allowing it to be manoeuvred further by anyone trying to gain access.
They also have a fairly unique aesthetic style in comparison to other types of windows; they are bulkier however, as a result of the swivelled locking mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions about uPVC Windows
Does uPVC discolour?
uPVC windows are remarkably resistant to UV rays. Extensive testing has shown them to be particularly well suited to the South African climate since our harsh weather conditions won’t cause them to discolour over time.
Is uPVC strong enough to use in my home?
uPVC is a relatively strong material and, in most cases, high-quality frames even come with reinforced steel in them. This means, that in all but the most extreme cases, those uPVC windows are strong enough for use in any home.
How costly are uPVC windows?
While they often come at a bit more of an initial cost, uPVC windows offer exceptional energy efficiency and have minimal maintenance needs. This makes them a more affordable option in the long-run.
Contact K Parker Joinery for Details on our Doors and Windows
With so much to offer, there are plenty of reasons why you should enhance your interior spaces with our selection of different wooden, aluminium and uPVC windows in Johannesburg.
Our team of experts has been manufacturing and providing high-quality windows and doors to the South African market for over 20 years, positioning us as the ideal supplier for your needs while adding value through specialised installation services for the doors and windows that we supply to each of our clients.
If you would like to learn more about our specialised offers, not just on windows but also specialised doors, sealers and mouldings, be sure to get into contact with a representative from K Parker Joinery today or visit our website for further details on our variety of offers and services.
