vinyl upvc windows
By SolidACE Construction • • 0 Comments

Energy Efficiency: Windows Part 4 – Vinyl (uPVC) Windows

VIEW PART 3 HERE

Vinyl (PVC or uPVC)

Vinyl   windows are very common and made using components made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Polyvinyl chloride is a combination of different chemicals, plasticizers and pigments. Polyvinyl chloride is also used to make plumbing pipes, electrical pipes, and many other plastic items. Window components for vinyl windows are extruded and contain hollow chambers.

The hollow chambers make for a lighter product and easier for welding the components together. Regular PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a common, strong but lightweight plastic used in construction. It is made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers. If no plasticizers are added, it is known as uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride).

A well-constructed, properly installed vinyl window can be a practical choice: budget-wise while still offering excellent energy efficiency measures through insulated glass and tight construction that reduces air leakage.  

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Vinyl Windows

 

pvc-windows

PROS of Vinyl Windows

  • The material used to make vinyl windows, PVC or uPVC, is a safe, stable compound that will not warp or flex.
  • Will not rust, warp, splinter, or rot. Ease of maintenance
  • Highly weather-resistant, even in extreme conditions.
  • A scratch can almost always be polished smooth with very little effort.
  • Since PVC/uPVC  is a poor cold or heat conductor, owners get better insulation
  • More economical than aluminum/metal windows
  • Easy to handle and lightweight
  • Vinyl windows has various colors and designs to mimic wood.

CONS of Vinyl Windows

  • Over time, PVC/uPVC vinyl may become slightly brittle; a hard blow could break it.
  • Though fire-resistant, vinyl windows will melt if they are exposed to a prolonged flame.

Need advice on window design or replacement? Please give us a call SolidAce Construction & Development Corp. at Dr. V. Locsin Street Dumaguete City or call 035 422-9478,226-2880 and our team of experts can help you incorporate energy efficiency standards into your current and future home projects.

aluminum-windows
By SolidACE Construction • • 0 Comments

Energy Efficiency: Windows Part 3-Aluminum/Metal Windows

VIEW PART 2 HERE

Aluminum/Metal Windows

Aluminum windows are practical in rainy, humid climates like the Philippines and they meet new building codes that will hopefully protect from the Philippines typhoon season onslaught.Modern aluminum frames are made to very high standards and tolerances.  They remain popular in commercial buildings because they are much cheaper than some other options.

Aluminum windows are very light but still strong. It’s durable and doesn’t require much maintenance, especially with a factory-baked or anodized finish. If you have windows with unusual shapes, you might consider aluminum because it can easily be manipulated into the shape you need.

 

aluminum-windows

PROS Aluminum/Metal Windows

  • Aluminum windows are cheaper and are the standard with most mainstream builders even in high end homes.
  • This makes it easier, quicker, and cheaper to get parts and much needed glass repairs.
  • Aluminum is more durable than wood and vinyl and will not rot.
  • Resistant to scratching, cracking and marring, except for the surface, if painted or powder-coated. More prone to dents.
  • Greener when replacing-Aluminum windows are easier to recycle once replaced.

CONS of Aluminum/Metal Windows

  • Aluminum is a bad conductor of cold and heat which transmits from the outside inside and vice-versa meaning energy loss.
  • The glass airspace between the outside and the inside glass tends to be narrower again making it less energy efficient.
  • Noise transmits through the aluminum framing more than Vinyl or wood style windows.
  • Over time, the steel or zinc fasteners used for aluminum windows may react with the aluminum and corrode.
  • Expensive to have custom color/paint.
  • Aluminum windows can pit, and the painted surface can fade in harsh Philippine Weather

Need advice on window design or replacement?Please give us a call SolidAce Construction & Development Corp. at Dr. V. Locsin Street Dumaguete City or call 035 422-9478,226-2880 and our team of experts can help you incorporate energy efficiency standards into your current and future home projects.

wood windows
By SolidACE Construction • 0 Comments

Energy Efficiency: Windows Part 2-Wood Windows

wooden-windows

VIEW PART 1 HERE

How do traditional wood windows stack up in the modern world? With wood becoming increasingly expensive in the local market, Wood windows offer the best insulative value, though they also require more upkeep than vinyl and aluminum frames. Because of the potential for rot, they may not be the best choice for extremely humid or rainy climates like the Philippines however a well-built wood window will stand the test of time.

 

PROS of Wood Windows

  • Wood always adds value anywhere it’s used.
  • Wood windows are easy to paint and color.
  • Wood provides a high aesthetic appeal.

CONS of Wood Windows

  • You’ll pay more for wood windows, Philippine lumber is getting more expensive.
  • Maintenance and repairs of wood windows are more expensive than vinyl windows.
  • The exterior must be sanded and repainted every 2-3 years.
  • Wood warps, swells, scratches, stains, and splinters.
  • Wood windows are more difficult to insulate.
  • Wood is much heavier, making it more difficult to work with.
  • Wood burns in a fire, therefore is a high fire hazard
  • Replacement wood are difficult to find and install.

 

Consult the Professionals

Need advice on window design or replacement?Please give us a call SolidAce Construction & Development Corp. at Dr. V. Locsin Street Dumaguete City or call 035 422-9478,226-2880 and our team of experts can help you incorporate energy efficiency standards into your current and future home projects.

 

energy efficient windows
By SolidACE Construction • • • • 0 Comments

Energy Efficiency: Windows Part 1

Energy efficiency has created a standard in new modern homes in the Philippines, The idea of lower costs in energy savings due to modern concepts of home design and smart appliance usage seems to be the norm with new home owners.

The tropical climate of the Philippines makes many houses depend on electricity to power electric fans and air-conditioners. This is why energy efficiency is one of the most important principles to keep in mind when building or buying a new home/condo/apartment.

Majority of new modern Philippine homes (built 2013 and above) have already incorporated energy efficient designs. However, there are so many things that you can do to make your home more energy efficient, but replacing your windows is definitely on top of the list. It does make a huge difference.

There are four factors to consider when choosing energy efficient windows: frame, glass, design and installation.

The traditional and common wood frame is less prone to heat and cold transfer than an aluminum one, since metals conduct temperature much more easily than wood. There are a variety of materials available for window frames, and each has positive and negative aspects. It's up to you to decide what's best for your style and your budget.

Need advice on window design or replacement? Please give us a call SolidAce Construction & Development Corp. at Dr. V. Locsin Street Dumaguete City or call 035 422-9478,226-2880 and our team of experts can help you incorporate energy efficiency standards into your current and future home projects.

 

By SolidACE Construction • 0 Comments

Roof Maintenance during Summer Months

2016 has come and summer time in the Philippines is the best time to do roof maintenance work. The favorable heat of summer is ideal for home owners wanting to repair and repaint their roofs. The heat easily dries the paint allowing for multiple coats of paint jobs in a day.

One trend among Philippine home owners when it comes to roof color is choosing white colored or light colored paints, choosing light colored or white paint saves energy and cools the home by reflecting more light and heat back to the atmosphere, white paint is generally cheaper and affordable,a white roof should act like a natural anti-warming device, while also reducing your energy costs by keeping your house cool.

A study conducted in Australia, found that during the peak of summer a bear metal roof space reached 43ºC compared to 26ºC with the application of roof product with special white branded paint, these revealed a significant difference of the temperature. Furthermore, the study found an increase savings of energy costs of approximately 12% as less heat was contained in the roof space due to the reflection of the sun’s rays.

Some people are now placing solar panels on their roofs, some people say that Solar panels are a better idea than white paint. A solar panel on the roof not only cools the house by absorbing the sunlight to make electricity, it also saves the homeowner electricity bills.

It would be even better to have a white roof and add solar panels. This is a true win-win situation

Need advice on Roof Maintenance work?Please give us a call SolidAce Construction & Development Corp. at Dr. V. Locsin Street Dumaguete City or call 035 422-9478,226-2880 and our team of experts can help you incorporate energy saving tech into your current and future home projects.