Whether you are deciding the aesthetics of your new home or are looking to give your house a makeover, the design of your doors and windows plays a vital role in the house’s overall look.
Apart from providing functionality, doors and windows play a pivotal role in determining your home’s aesthetics, energy efficiency, and security. Therefore, choosing a suitable material for these gateways is vital.
The preferable materials for doors and windows include wood, aluminium, vinyl, and fiberglass. These materials come in various colors and strengths, each having a different pricing along with pros and cons.
Therefore, whether choosing wooden doors or aluminium windows in Perth, you should compare the characteristics of the materials and select one that suits your needs and compliments the overall look of your house.
Common Window And Door Materials
The materials you choose for your windows and doors play a vital role in determining the security and look of your house. The following are the most commonly used materials:
Wood
Wood has been a preferred choice for doors and windows, offering your home a classic and warm look.
Pros:
- Wood is an excellent insulator that helps prevent the house from heating up. This helps keep your electricity bill low and also reduces your carbon footprint.
- Wooden doors and windows can be manufactured in various designs and shapes.
- They are highly durable and are easy to maintain and clean.
- When sourced responsibility, they make a great sustainable choice as window and door materials.
Cons:
- While easy to maintain, wood does require yearly touch-ups in the form of polishing or painting.
- When exposed to constant rain, wooden doors or windows can rot and invite insects and pests.
- High-quality wood is often expensive when compared to other materials.Vinyl
Popular as a material for window frames, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is known for its hardness, density, and strength. This synthetic material is highly affordable and easy to maintain.
Pros:
- Vinyl forms a tight seal, helping insulate your home and providing energy efficiency.
- It is easy to maintain as it doesn’t require new coats of paint or finishing. Moreover, vinyl can be cleaned easily with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth.
- Vinyl is an inexpensive material and is resistant to moisture and pests.
Cons:
- Vinyl is available in a limited number of colors and has no design options, refraining from the aesthetic appeal of your home.
- It is not a sustainable or eco-friendly option, as opposed to wood.Aluminium
Aluminium is preferable for doors and windows due to its lightweight and strength. Moreover, it is easy to customize, making it a favorite among homeowners.
Pros:
- Aluminium is easy to maintain and can be cleaned with soap and water, similar to vinyl.
- It is highly pest and moisture-resistant.
- Due to its lightweight, aluminium provides versatility in designs and shapes.
- It is highly affordable, giving your home a sleek, shiny look.
Cons:
- The biggest con with using aluminium is its conductivity, which can heat your home, therefore rating very low at energy efficiency.
- Aluminium frames may face condensation in certain seasons, which must be cleaned regularly.Fiberglass
A relatively new material in the market, fiberglass excels in strength, aesthetics, and insulation for doors and windows. It has the following pros and cons.
Pros:
- Fibreglass is a strong and durable synthetic material resistant to corrosion and warping.
- It exhibits excellent insulation properties that can contribute to energy saving in your home.
- Fiberglass requires minimal maintenance, as opposed to wood doors and windows.
- Fibreglass is available in various shapes and designs, which can add to the aesthetic of your home. It can also be used for a wooden look without requiring as much maintenance.
Cons:
- The cost of fiberglass lies between vinyl and high-end wood or aluminium, making it slightly costlier.
- Since the material has been recently introduced, it may be challenging to source fiberglass doors or windows in your area.
Choosing The Right Material
Once you have proper knowledge about each material, you can compare them to your needs, budget, and preferences to choose the right one for your home. The following are some points to consider while choosing the material:
Cost
The material you choose should be well under your budget without compromising the quality of the material. Always factor in the durability and utility of the material while considering the cost of each.
This prevents you from buying a cheap material that withers quickly, eventually adding to high costs.
Durability
You must also consider the durability of the material. Since doors and windows are constantly exposed to the outside environment, the material you choose should be rot and pest-resistant.
In addition, it should not soak moisture and should be strong enough to last over the years.
Climate
When choosing the material for your doors and windows, it is also vital to consider the climatic conditions of your area. For example, wood may not be suitable for highly humid places.
The material should withstand the climatic conditions without degenerating or generating problems.
Maintenance
Since doors and windows are exposed outside the home, they will likely gather dust and lose color. Therefore, if you don’t want to clean them regularly, choose a material that can repel dust.
Moreover, the material should be easy to clean. While wood requires yearly paint and maintenance, aluminum and vinyl can be cleaned with mild soap water, reducing maintenance time and costs.
Aesthetics
The look that the material imparts should align with the idea you have in mind. In other words, the material should satisfy your preferences, tastes, and needs.
Availability
It is best to select a readily available material in your area as it helps cut costs. Moreover, it will be easy to acquire extra material in case of any mishaps.
Conclusion
The material you choose for your doors and windows can significantly impact your home’s looks, energy efficiency, and long-term value. Therefore, it is vital to compare the features of different materials and select one that suits your aesthetic requirements and budget.
Moreover, consider contractor rates, sustainability, and the energy efficiency the material can add to your home. While aluminium and wood have been the top options for years, you can also opt for vinyl and fiberglass to add a modern look to the house.
