Benefits of Glass Windows vs Acrylic Windows for Florida Sunrooms?
The addition of a new sunroom is an excellent choice when looking to add more living space to your Florida home. In our previous article we helped Florida home-owners learn more about the different types of sunrooms available to them as well as why sunrooms are a good investment. In this article we are going to discuss the benefits of Glass Windows vs Acrylic Windows for a new Florida sunroom.
When looking to build a new sunroom, you will learn quickly that there are a variety of different options available to you. Making the right decision is critical for the overall performance of your new sunroom addition when you are considering Glass Windows vs Acrylic Windows. One of the most important decisions you will have to make, is the type of windows to install in your sunroom. When deciding on the type of window it’s important to keep in mind Florida is typically warm all year-round. You should also consider the direction that your new sunroom will face, the time of year it will be used, and most importantly how it will be used. At this point you may be asking yourself “should I choose Glass Windows or Acrylic Windows for my new sunroom?” There is no need to feel overwhelmed, at Lifestyle Remodeling we offer a free design consultation tohelp you choose the sunroom windows thatwill be aperfect matchfor you and your home.
When deciding onthe type of windowsto install in your new sunroom you should consider, thecost, strength, durability, clarity, and insulation.Cost is somethingwe alldeal with especially when it comes to choosing windows fora new sunroom.Acrylic windowsaremore affordable and cost less than glass windows. The cost of an acrylicwindowin most cases is lowerin comparison to an equivalent size glass window. One reason acrylic windowsare less expensiveisbecause glassis thickerandweighs more.With acrylic sunroom windowdensity ranging from 1150 to 1190 kg/m3, they arealmost half thedensity of glass sunroom windowswhich range from2400to 2800 kg/m3. Since acrylicwindows areless dense it also means theyweigh lessthan glass windows.The density of the acrylic windowmakes them cheaper to manufacture, transport, and takes less time and manpower to install. The savingsare generally passed on to the consumer, making acrylic sunroom windows the more affordable alternative to glass sunroom windows.
Ageneral ruleto rememberwhen purchasing sunroom windows is “you get what you pay for”.With that said, the upsideto choosingacrylic sunroom windowsis they are more affordable than glass windows. The downsideis thatthey lackthe strength, durability, clarity, and insulation that comes with installing glass sunroom windows. When it comes to window strength glass windows are much stronger than acrylic windows.A very commonproblem manyFlorida homeowners are faced with, isthe tendency for acrylic windowsto permanently bow in hot weather while introducing cooler temperature on the inside andair conditioning the space. Climate control will invalidate the acrylic window warranty inmost cases. Therefore, we usuallyrecommend installing glass windowsto all our customers who arelooking to build a new sunroom addition.
Glass windows are much better optionwhen it comes to both durability and clarity. As far as durability is concerned, at the end of the day acrylic isjust a type of plastic. Even if you take as many precautions as possible the chances of scratchingan acrylic windoware far greater than that of a glass sunroom window. Glasswindows can scratch as well, however it has a resistance to scratching many times greater than that ofacrylic windows. All it takes is one mishap of someoneor something scraping againstthe acrylic window.Depending on the severity of the scratch, you may be faced with having to replace the entire section of acrylic window.
Another inherent flaw of acrylic is its inability to stand up to the sunsstrongUV(ultra violet) rays, and can possibly turnyellow over time. There are many plastic materials out there that claim to be “UV Resistant”. That is exactly what it is, resistantnot UV proof. Noacrylic is UVproof. Over the long run there is no additive that can make plastic/acrylic stand up to UV light as long as glass. Eventually the elements will get to it. If you are looking for asunroom that offers the best clarity, then we definitely recommend glass windows.
The last important factorin choosingthe rightwindow is the amount of insulation your new sunroom will need. The level of insulation will ultimately determine how energy efficient your new sunroom will be.
- Tempered Glass: Tempered glass will not shatter and is the type typically used for doors and safety areas. This significantly reduces injury and minimizes storm damage. Although more expensive, it is far stronger than other types and is well worth the cost.
- Single Pane Glass: This isusually the least expensive glass that is typically used in a sunroom. Although single pane panels are easy to install and like acrylic you may be tempted to use them based on cost.Keep in mind that theydo not block as much UV rays,andaren’t veryenergy efficient.
- Double Pane Glass: Double pane windows are a good option, especially ifyou are looking touse your sunroom allyear round. Double panes have inert gases between panes for energy efficiency and can also help protect your furniture from harmful UV rays.
- Low-E Glass: Low emission glass windows are coated to prevent harmful UV rays from entering your sunroom and for keeping the heat in. Radiant heat from inside the sunroom in winter is reflected back inside and conversely, heat from the outside is reflected away.
- Glass Coatings: Naturally clean glass. It harnesses the sun’s UV rays to loosen dirt so water can rinse it away, leaving windows virtually spotless. Your windows will stay cleaner longer and will clean easier. The titanium dioxide layer of Neat glass reacts chemically with the sun’s UV rays and causes organic materials that are on the glass to decompose. It works even on cloudy days, as 80% of UV radiation gets through cloud cover. Thus when it rains, the decomposed dirt no longer clings to the glass, easily rinsing away.
