Michigan winters, and especially Upper Peninsula winters, are practically an endurance test for homeowners and their homes. From the icy winds that whip across the lakes to the sudden snowstorms, harsh winters pose many, many risks to your home. One of the most important lines of defense? Your windows.
Windows play a critical role in keeping your home warm, dry, and energy-efficient during the coldest and toughest months of the year. If your current windows aren’t getting the job done, then vinyl windows could be the winter weather update your Michigan home needs.
- Why Is Winter Weather Tough on Windows?
- Why Are Vinyl Windows Ideal for Cold Climates?
- Energy Savings and Home Comfort
- Combatting Condensation and Ice Buildup
- Other Winter-Ready Features
- Choosing the Right Brand
Why is Winter Weather Tough on Windows?
Winter brings extreme temperatures, precipitation, and high winds. This sort of weather can cause or worsen all kinds of problems, especially for older windows:
- Stress cracks: Cold temperatures can cause thin fractures in older windows, called stress cracks. Over time, stress cracks can worsen to the point of ruining the window.
- Warping and rotting: Wood frames can absorb moisture from snow, melting ice, sleet, and freezing rain. Over time, this leads to warping and rotting.
- Moisture between panes: When seals start to fail on older windows, moisture can easily get trapped between the panes. This can lead to fogging, and negatively impact the window’s ability to insulate your home.
- Lock and latch damage: Extreme cold can freeze components of locks and latches, making it hard or impossible to close your windows.
Why are Vinyl Windows Ideal for Cold Climates?
Vinyl windows have gained popularity all across the country, but they offer special advantages for homeowners in cold-weather regions like the Upper Peninsula.
Insulation
Vinyl window frames are constructed with multiple air chambers. These chambers improve insulation, offering a stronger barrier that minimizes the flow of cold air into your home. Vinyl is also a poor conductor of heat, meaning that it traps warm air in your home instead of allowing it to leak out.
Energy Efficiency
Most modern vinyl windows are built with double or triple-pane glass. These types of glass create a sealed space between panes of glass to improve insulation. The spaces are usually filled with safe, insulating gases like argon or krypton.
In addition, most vinyl windows have a low-emissivity coating. Low-emissivity (also called “low-E”) glass is designed to block heat from escaping while still allowing plenty of light into your home. Combined, these features do a fantastic job of reducing heat transfer, keeping your home warmer, and cutting down on energy use in those frigid winter months.
Durability
Wild winter weather can be tough on your home’s exterior. Thankfully, vinyl windows are built to last. Unlike those made from wood or other fragile materials, vinyl windows will not warp, crack, or rot when exposed to snow, ice, or extreme cold.
Vinyl windows also do not expand or contract with temperature changes, which is certainly a risk with other window materials. Vinyl windows maintain their shape and integrity all year long.
Low Maintenance
Winter weather brings salt, slush, and grime. Other window materials, like wood, may need to be scraped, sanded, and repainted to keep looking their best. But all vinyl windows need is a quick clean every now and then.
Tight Seals
Vinyl windows are equipped with advanced sealing technology and multi-point locking systems to prevent drafts and moisture from entering your home. When installed correctly, vinyl windows form a tight seal that helps eliminate cold spots and keep your interior temperatures comfortable throughout the house.
Energy Savings and Home Comfort
Insulating your home against winter weather doesn’t just improve your comfort. It can also make a real, positive difference in your utility costs. Heat loss through windows accounts for up to 30% of home heating energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Replacing old, poorly insulated windows with vinyl windows can significantly reduce that loss.
This can translate to hundreds of dollars in heating bill savings each year, especially in a climate like the Upper Peninsula’s, where heating systems work overtime from October to May! But more than just energy savings, vinyl windows offer the comfort of consistent, pleasant indoor temperatures. Say goodbye to drafts disturbing your cozy home or making some parts of the house colder than others. Enjoy every inch of your space with vinyl windows.
Combatting Condensation and Ice Buildup
Anyone with old windows knows the dread of waking up to icy frost or moisture dripping down the inside of the glass. Condensation doesn’t just block your view. It can also lead to mold growth and damage to windowsills and walls.
Vinyl windows help eliminate this issue with insulated glass panes that keep the interior glass warmer. The insulated panes and low-E coatings prevent the warm air inside your home from leaking outside. This prevents condensation, which means less moisture and fewer problems with mold or mildew.
Other Winter-Ready Features
Vinyl windows come with a wide range of features that make them especially useful during Michigan’s coldest months.
- Reinforced frames and welded corners: These provide structural integrity and stability during heavy snowfalls and high winds.
- Advanced weatherstripping: Multiple layers of protection reduce air leakage and stop snow or ice from leaking in around the edges.
- Strong locking mechanisms: Help keep latches secure in high winds and provide extra peace of mind during winter storms.
Choosing the Right Brand
When facing such demanding weather conditions, it’s crucial to choose a trusted, high-quality brand. Alliance Vinyl Windows are designed with extreme weather protection in mind. They’ve been tested and retested to guarantee their ability to withstand icy winds, heavy snowfalls, freezing temperatures, and more. Built with multi-chambered vinyl frames and advanced low-E glass technology, Alliance Vinyl Windows provide superior insulation that keeps the home warm in winter and cool in summer.
Their double- and triple-pane options significantly reduce heat loss and help lower energy bills during the long winters. Unlike wood frame windows, Alliance Vinyl Windows won’t rot, swell, or require repainting after snow and ice exposure. That means less maintenance–and more peace of mind–for you and your family.
Find Your Vinyl Windows at Astro UP in Rock, MI
Michigan winters are tough enough without worrying about the integrity of your windows. Take a load off your mind, and improve the comfort and value of your home, by upgrading to vinyl windows with the help of Astro UP in Rock, Michigan!
We’ve been helping Upper Peninsula homeowners rock their remodels for over 40 years as the UP’s favorite building supply store. We carry only the best products around, like Alliance Vinyl Windows, at prices that work for you and your family. Astro UP is well worth the drive, but if you want to check out our vinyl windows or vinyl window FAQ before you make the trek, please feel free to check out our website. We hope to serve you soon!