Why It’s Time to Replace Your Aluminum Frame Windows

With the population boom that took place during and after World War II, many new houses were built in San Diego County. Many of these houses had aluminum frame windows installed in them, as that was the frame material of choice at that time. Today, some post-war homes still have their original aluminum frame windows, and while those windows may have been great when they were new, they are likely showing their age in this century.

Over time, aluminum frames tend to get dented and bent. This can make windows and sliding patio doors difficult to open and close, which can be frustrating. Bent or dented frames can also allow in unwanted air from the outside. In addition, older windows may not have locking mechanisms, or those locking mechanisms may be broken by now, which can make them unsafe.

Unfortunately, bent frames are difficult to repair. They are never quite the same once they are damaged.

Vinyl Windows: A Better Choice Than Aluminum

Windows with aluminum frames are still made by certain window manufacturers in the country; however, the majority of today’s windows are built with vinyl frames. You can find some made with other materials like fiberglass or wood, but vinyl is definitely the most popular window choice for San Diego homeowners.

This is true for several reasons. First of all, vinyl is very affordable. Some people may prefer wood or fiberglass windows for various reasons, but for the price, vinyl windows are a great choice! Vinyl is a poor conductor of heat, which helps make windows more energy efficient. Aluminum, on the other hand, is a good conductor of heat, allowing heat to pass through the frame from the outside to the inside of your home—not what you want on a hot day!

Vinyl window frames can help your home stand out in your neighborhood. They are also available in a variety of colors. In the past, almost every homeowner we worked with chose white frames for their windows, but other colors—especially black—are beginning to gain popularity in San Diego. In addition, vinyl replacement windows have thicker frames that give a house a more “crafted” look and feel over thinner aluminum frames.

Vinyl is also virtually maintenance free! Unlike wood windows, you never have to paint or seal the frames. They’ll look great for many, many years!

New Windows with Better Glass

It’s not just the aluminum frames that are the problem in older windows and patio doors. They probably are also single pane windows with clear glass. By clear glass, we mean that the window glass has no coatings on it that help protect the inside of your home from solar heat or UV rays.

 If your home is noticeably warmer near your windows or glass patio doors, it doesn’t have to be this way!

At BM Windows, we sell dual pane windows with Low-E glass. Low-E stands for low-emissivity. Low-E glass has a microscopic layer of metallic oxides applied to the surface. It is invisible to the naked eye, but protects the inside of your home from UV rays, so your furnishings and paint don’t fade. Low-E glass also keeps hot air out in the summer and warm air in during the winter months. In between the two panes of glass is a special gas that also helps prevent heat transfer. If you have heating and air conditioning in your house, you’ll find yourself using a lot less of it. If you have an older house without heating and air, you’ll find that you’re a lot more comfortable in the hot and cold months!

Sound Suppression Technology

If the reasons mentioned above weren’t enough for you to consider replacing your old aluminum windows, sound suppression may put you over the top!

If you’ve been living in a noisy area for a while, you may not even notice the noise anymore. Maybe you live by the airport or near a busy street or freeway. Or perhaps you just have noisy neighbors who enjoy loud music or have dogs that bark incessantly. New windows with sound suppression technology will make a noticeable difference in the amount of outside noise you hear inside your house.

In the past, we’ve had customers who were dubious about how much of a difference new windows would make. They were shocked at the change! We had one customer tell us that her home was “spooky quiet” after we installed her new windows.

The windows we sell come standard with a certain level of sound suppression technology, but you can also upgrade your windows with improved sound suppression if you live in a particularly noisy area.

Windows and Doors That Work Perfectly… Every Time!

Just like you may be used to hearing outside noise inside your house, you may also be used to your windows and doors not operating as they should. Maybe you have a window that sticks, or a sliding patio door that you have to wrestle with to open, or a window that comes off of its track every time you use it. You may have just resorted to not using that window or door.

Once you replace your faulty windows with new ones, you’ll wonder how you ever lived with those old, non-functioning windows. You’ll be able to open your windows freely whenever it’s nice outside. In San Diego, that’s most days! You can have fresh air in your home almost year-round! Your new windows will also come with new locking mechanisms to help keep you and your family safe.

So, are you ready to replace your old aluminum windows with new vinyl windows? Contact us at BM Windows. We can go over all of the options and help you select the replacement windows that would be perfect for your home!