Are vinyl replacement windows a green product? This question is asked and almost every answer is based on what the author promotes for products. If we look at a few of the considering factors that label a product as “green” we can draw our own conclusions.

Will the product last for a long time?

Pure vinyl (UPVC) has a projected life span of over 50 years. Cheap vinyl that is mixed with plastic can fail in under a few years when exposed to the sun. Think of the cheap “vinyl/plastic” lawn chairs that break and chalk after only a season or two. In this case cheap vinyl is not a long lasting product at all. On the other hand some pure vinyl (UPVC) windows that were installed in the 1960’s are still in use today. I feel that if a pure product is used and it’s life span is greater than 50 years then the product meets the test of a long life span.

Will the product save energy?

Since vinyl windows are generally sold with double pane or triple pane glass they will reduce your heating bills. Almost all windows on the market today include double pane glass. Triple pane glass is offered by most vinyl window companies but very few salespeople ever tell anyone the benefits of it. A triple pane window can be considered a green replacement window in that no other product can save more energy. For some reason very few wood window companies promote triple pane windows.

One of the most rewarding benefits of a green replacement window is the fact that you can save over a hundred gallons of oil a season! If your home has old single pane windows and you replace them with triple pane windows you can reduce your fuel consumption by 20% or more. If you use 1000 gallons a year a 20% savings is 200 gallons of oil.

Note- Energy savings range from 10%-40% with a best rated vinyl window. Your savings depend on the condition of your existing windows, the quality of your new windows, the proper installation of your new windows and the type of glass that you purchase.