Wood is the greener and more durable option compared to uPVC. There are a number of advantages to choosing wood over uPVC for your windows and doors, such as its beautiful appearance and its greener and more hard-wearing nature. Wood can be more advantageous to uPVC due to its:
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Greater sustainability
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Better finish
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Cost-effectiveness
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Beautiful appearance
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Lower maintenance requirements than expected
Are You Looking to Replace Your Doors or Windows?
If you’re thinking of replacing your windows and/or doors, you will no doubt be considering whether to go for timber or uPVC. You’ll be weighing up the pros and cons of both to decide which would be the more suitable material for your home. uPVC is often touted as the lower maintenance option; however, timber can be just as easy to maintain and has the added benefit of being the greener option of the two.
What is uPVC?
uPVC is a plastic material that is found in doors and windows across the country. It insulates well, can be quite cheap and does not require much care and attention in terms of maintenance. However, its shelf life is much shorter than its wooden counterpart, and whilst it doesn’t need cleaning or re-finishing in the same way, the presence of uPVC will not boost the value of a property in the way wood can.
Timber is a great choice for those looking to invest in the outward appearance of their home and significantly boost their property’s value. Aesthetically, they offer so much more than uPVC, and they come in a range of types and styles to better create the home you desire. Wood can also be finished in many different ways to affect the way it will look, including painting it virtually any colour to suit any style of home. Whilst wooden doors and windows tend to be more expensive than uPVC, they are built to last.
The Advantage of Wooden Doors and Windows
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Timber is Sustainable
Responsibly sourced timber is a sustainable building material, emitting less CO2 in the manufacturing process than manmade materials such as uPVC. Timber is carbon neutral, recyclable and biodegradable. The methods used to produce uPVC are highly intensive for the environment, requiring huge amounts of energy, not to mention the use of hazardous chemicals.
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Timber is High-Performance
The energy rating of windows is dependent on your glazing choice, but timber is a very low thermal conductor, which makes it a good natural insulator. There’s a myth that double glazing can only be fitted in uPVC frames, but this is not the case. Wooden windows can be fitted with double or even triple glazing, so you can have beautiful wooden windows that are just as energy efficient as uPVC windows.
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Timber is Not as High Maintenance as You Think
A myth persists that wooden windows and doors are much more high maintenance than uPVC ones, however, this is not entirely the case. Plastic degrades, whereas timber can have a life service of around 60 years, twice as long as uPVC. In fact, timber that has been maintained and repainted can have its lifespan restarted, meaning it could last a century or more. uPVC, on the other hand, can become discoloured and brittle due to exposure to the sun, and won’t be able to be repaired – it will need to be replaced. A full repaint of timber is only recommended every 8-10 years, so in the long run, taking care of timber windows and doors can be less maintenance than you might think.
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Timber is Cost Effective
In general, uPVC windows and doors are less expensive than wooden ones initially, however, if you’re thinking long term then timber can be an investment that pays for itself down the line. According to the National Housing Federation, over the 30-year lifespan of uPVC double glazing, a timber frame will actually cost over a third less than its uPVC counterpart. Timber that is well maintained is built to last and shouldn’t need to be replaced in your lifetime. So, a little more spending initially could save you a lot in the long run when you don’t need to replace those uPVC windows and doors after they degrade.
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Timber is Aesthetically Beautiful
uPVC windows and doors are often mass produced, meaning that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find ones that are completely catered to the style of home. Timber, however, is one of the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing options for windows and doors, especially for period homes. Timber windows and doors are made bespoke to your design, meaning you can have virtually any style to suit your property, or they can be designed to replicate the original style of your home. Timber is the material of choice for heritage or period properties, to keep their value but also to maintain that elegant look that just cannot be replicated by uPVC.
If you’re looking for a joiner who can craft you a stunning wooden door in Manchester, contact Darcy Joinery today. We can produce all kinds of internal and external bespoke doors to your exact specifications in an array of timbers.