Summer is one of the more grueling times for windows due to the effects of heat and exposure to the sun on the windows’ frame material. Even materials like vinyl may sustain damage during the summer.
In this post, the experts at Renewal by Andersen® of Cincinnati discuss how extreme heat affects window frames.
Windows and Thermal Expansion
Sudden changes in the temperature can alter the shape and size of your window frames. Common frame materials like wood and vinyl will contract in cold temperatures and expand in hotter temperatures; the latter is due to a process called thermal expansion.
While this is a natural occurrence, the effect isn’t always good. When thermal expansion occurs in your window frame, the stress will cause cracks to form in the frame material and even the glass panels. This breaks the window seal and creates gaps where air and water can enter.
Shrinking Windows
Once summer is over and the colder weather arrives, your window frames will start to contract. For younger windows, this isn’t much of a problem. As your windows age, though, you’ll start to notice that the windows will shrink over time, creating large, noticeable gaps between the window frame and the sill. This is especially obvious for larger windows, such as bow and bay windows, and can hamper their long-term performance.
How We Address This Problem
At Renewal by Andersen of Cincinnati, we address this problem with Fibrex®, our exclusive composite frame material made from real wood fibers and high-quality polymer. This gives our windows the same sturdiness as wood windows but with the long-term serviceability and low-maintenance properties of vinyl.
What sets Fibrex apart from other frame materials is its low thermal expansion coefficient, at 1.6 compared to vinyl’s 4.0. This means that windows made with Fibrex can go through extreme temperature changes without warping, bowing or cracking. Fibrex essentially turns our windows into all-season, all-temperature hardware.
All the windows we offer, from casement to specialty windows, are made with this innovative composite material. Call [company_name] today at 866-609-5033 to learn more about our services. We replace windows in Mason, Loveland and Sharonville, OH.
