Sash windows have been used in houses for many years. In fact, they have been used for over 300 years. If you own a house in which you need to replace the windows, which should you choose? For sash window replacement, plastic or wood is your most important decision. In order to care for the environment, you should consider each option carefully.
Depending on how many of your windows need to be replaced, then you could have several options about what to do. If only one or a few need replacement, then it would probably be best to stick with the type you have already. But if they all do, then you have a real choice. Many people are trying to cut down on the number and types of plastics they use and so environmental researchers believe that wood is a better choice for many reasons.
But many people think that wood is expensive. Also, many people have ideas that this involves using non-sustainable products which end up being more of a burden on the environment than using plastic windows. Also many people think that uPVC may be warmer, easier to maintain and easier to replace if anything should go wrong. Finally, there is the assumption that plastic windows are more secure than wooden ones because they can be locked.
In fact, all these assumptions are false to some extent. In terms of overall outlay, although good quality wood windows may be more expensive, they will pay for themselves much earlier than plastic ones. This is because of lower maintenance costs over the years.
The way it is made, plastic uses petroleum by-products and is much worse for the environment than wood from a sustainable forest. Also, plastic does not degrade in landfill for many years, and when it does, leaches hazardous toxins into the earth. Wood is a completely organic product and is broken down in a matter of years by insects in the soil.
When all is said and done, it is up to each of us to make the choice about which type of product to use. Wood does seem like a much more environmentally friendly product to use at the moment, but who knows? A super plastic may be developed soon which is a much better option.
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