Are Vinyl Replacement Windows Good in the San Diego Climate?

We can probably all agree that San Diego has some of the best weather in the world! With its abundance of sunny days and mild temperatures year-round, the weather here is hard to beat. But all that sun, as well as the wind and salty air near the coast, can wreak havoc on some of the building materials used in homes. Is this the case with the vinyl that is used in replacement windows? Well, like a lot of things, that depends.

High-quality vinyl windows, like the ones we sell at BM Windows, do very well in the San Diego climate—including in coastal areas that experience more wind, and the more inland areas that get hot summer days. They look great and perform well for many, many years in all types of San Diego homes! However, cheap vinyl windows tend to not hold up as well. If you’ve seen windows around town with white vinyl frames that have turned a yellowish shade, those are likely replacement windows made with cheap vinyl.

So how do you know what brands of replacement windows use cheap vinyl and which ones use high-quality vinyl? To the untrained eye, all vinyl windows can look pretty much the same.

The first thing you can look at is the thicknesses of the vinyl. Thicker vinyl not only makes a window sturdier, but it also gives it better resistance to weather damage. You may be thinking, “How can the mild weather in San Diego cause weather damage?” Well, prolonged exposure to the sun can start to affect cheap, thin vinyl over time. That’s why you want to make sure your windows have thick, high-quality vinyl frames.

You can compare the thickness of the vinyl in various replacement window brands by looking at a cross-section of a sample window. At BM Windows, we have samples in our showroom that you can take a look at. You can also request that a representative bring along a cross-section sample for you to view when they come to your home for your free consultation.

Another thing you want to look for in vinyl windows for your San Diego home is frames with fusion welded corners. If you see vinyl window frames that are held together by screws, run! Those windows will almost certainly start to leak over time. Fusion-welded vinyl window frames, on the other hand, have a virtually unbreakable seal that keeps out all moisture.

As you shop for vinyl replacement windows, look for brands that offer a lifetime warranty on their products. A lifetime warranty tells you that the manufacturer is confident in the quality of the windows they make. All of the vinyl replacement windows we sell in San Diego come with at least a lifetime warranty (some even come with a double lifetime warranty).

If you’d like to learn more about vinyl replacement windows and why we highly recommend them for San Diego homes, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable and friendly representatives!