Should I restore my [Biltbest] [Marvin] [Pella] [Andersen] wood or aluminum clad windows or doors?

Vinyl windows of all kinds have made their way into the market-place over the past 15-20 years, being touted as energy efficient, more durable, and a cheaper alternative to wood and clad windows. Once you step back and take an objective look at the claims, here are a few findings from people in the business.

FACT: Some vinyl windows are in fact energy efficient in theory. However, most are constructed using hollow extrusions which offer little in the way of R-Value (resistance to heat transfer). The glazing itself may or may not be very efficient depending on the type of glass specified. The weather stripping, a key element to window performance, is hit or miss in my opinion; some manufacturers get it right, but many don’t pay enough attention to this simple detail & as a result the performance of the unit suffers. The operating hardware is another often overlooked area. Too often, low quality hardware is used and because of its poor performance, the window doesn’t seal well when closed and locked. This hardware is often acquired from low budget suppliers that import or fabricate the hardware overseas. Rarely is a "name brand supplier" like Truth or EntryGard used. ( The Best In The Industry ) WHY?

In contrast, most manufacturers of wood windows, clad windows etc. purchase their hardware from one of a couple of well established industry leaders - ensuring the availability of replacement parts for years to come.