Vinyl is Widely Reported to Fail in Sunlight and Heat

We have gathered some interesting reports from around the world that point to vinyl windows not being able to withstand sunlight and heat.

"Ultraviolet (UV) light can fade colors other than white and cause yellowing and "crazing" in the plastic's surface. Vinyl frames are also not very rigid. Vinyl windows with large openings usually require an internal metal extrusion to make the frame stiffer. This can lower the frame's R-value significantly. Vinyl window frames can also soften, warp, and twist if heat builds up within the frame. In very hot sunny climates direct exposure to sunlight is not recommended." U.S. Department of Energy.

"Solid vinyl windows are an inexpensive last resort. Give them about 10 years and the vinyl will become faded and brittle from exposure to sunlight and temperature." Teaman Architectural Newsletter, 1999

"PVC (vinyl) expands and contracts and can warp due to heat." Nation's Window's Windows 101, 1999

"All vinyl becomes brittle in extreme cold. It expands and softens in heat." Reader's digest New Do It Yourself Manual"Vinyl frames are not strong. Vinyl frames get soft and warp. They are dimensionally unstable causing warping, cracks, air leaks which cause thermal failure and glass fogging." Washington Post, April 21, 1996