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Fenestration Magazine, Vol. 6,
No. 5,
UV or IR (infrared) wavelength of sunlight Affects PVC (vinyl). UV affects the
impact strength and color retention of the window.
The more critical factor is
that heat build up from IR can cause distortion of PVC framing.
Fenestration Magazine,
May/June 1993,
What happens to PVC (vinyl) in warmer regions of the US? Will
heat turn the framing into soft, melted material? Will the windows change color
from white to yellow or brown to beige? If its hit with an object, will a
piece break off? Rigid PVC is brittle and discolors under UV light. Other
concerns are wind-loads.
Aluminum Extruders Council,
1997, A
60 long PVC (vinyl) frame member at 120 degrees will stretch over Ό from
expansion and contraction. Movement between components such as glass and frame
over time can lead to distortion and seal failure, air and water leakage.
Boston Globe, November 16,
1995,
Be aware of replacement windows. Ive seen entire buildings full of replacement
windows with manufacturers who have gone out of business. This happened commonly
during the boom of the 80s. Now these windows are starting to fail. These are
usually the low-end vinyl replacements which are sold by hundreds of companies
each year.
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