Most building components need some sort of maintenance and upkeep, and windows are no exception.

Material durability varies by location, exposure, and other environmental factors. For example, marine environments are harsher on materials because higher concentrations of salt in the air degrades materials faster.

But while we can’t control the weather or the environment, we can control which materials we select that might be better choices than others.

Simply being aware of the potential durability issues that your window walls may encounter is one of the most important piece of information you, as a homeowner, need to know. Having an educated conversation with your architect, builder, or window wall manufacturer about these potential issues is the logical next step but you’re so much more prepared for the conversation once you know more about how to go about evaluating them for quality and durability.

And that’s exactly what we share in this article.

In this article, you’ll learn:

5 things to consider when it comes to window wall quality and durability
How to research and review various window wall products
The durability, weatherability, and rot-resistance qualities of various window wall frames
The importance of routine window wall maintenance

Window Wall Quality and Durability Guidelines

Many factors are at play when it comes to understanding the durability and quality of your window wall system. Unfortunately, there is no easy button that just tells you which system is the most durable.

Since every project is different, every location is different, and people’s tolerance level is different when it comes to maintenance and upkeep, so too is the degree of importance that durability plays in the final selection of your window wall system.

To help you evaluate various window wall systems in for quality and durability, compare each of your window wall options as they relate to the 5 areas of focus below. Comparing these areas will give you a better understanding of the products that might be better for your specific project.

design and workmanship
frame durability
finish durability
warranty
maintenance & upkeep

1. Research Window Wall Companies, Product Data, and Workmanship

First and foremost, when considering window wall durability you need to do your homework. Research the products and companies and try to get a good idea of the quality of each product and it’s respective installation process.

Here are a few ways to do this:

Review websites, product literature, and installation manuals – You can learn a lot about how a company views their own product by how they talk about it on their own website or by how they display the products in promotional materials. Do they have customer testimonials? Are there galleries of projects to show? Do they tell an endearing history of how the company started? Do they talk about the performance standards they are meeting or exceeding?

Visit the factory, showroom, or trade show – There’s nothing like actually getting to see the product in person. To see and feel the quality of the material, to understand how they work, and to talk to a product representative about your questions and concerns. Actually seeing the product in real life might tell you the product feels cheap, it looks too bulky, or conversely, that it looks great and you love it.

Review recommendations of others who have used the same product – Ask around, look online, ask for references. A simple Google search might even reveal possible lawsuits pending, angry customers, faulty installations, etc that could sway you one way or the other.

2. Window Wall Frame Materials Vary in Durability

While product design and workmanship play important roles in the durability of window walls, so too does the actual window frame material, especially the exterior cladding material.

The exterior cladding of a window is exposed to a lot of operational aging – temperature cycles, water, acidity, UV exposure, and everyday wear and tear. And, of course, each material performs slightly different over time under normal wear.

Here are some general durability characteristics of each window wall frame material:

Vinyl: Low maintenance but susceptible to thermal expansion
Fiberglass: Strong, low maintenance, dimensionally stable, and durable
Aluminum: Strong, durable, and low-maintenance – but can be dented or damaged with heavy impact, expands and contracts with temperature changes but thermal breaks help
Wood: Susceptible to rot, requires regular maintenance
Steel: Strong, durable, and low-maintenance, expands and contracts with temperature changes but thermal breaks help

Want an Easy Way To Compare Window Wall Types For Your Home?

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3. Select Quality Window Finishes

Along with the window frame material, the type of finish applied to the frame is also an important choice to make.

As we mentioned above, the exterior cladding of a window is exposed to a lot of wear and tear. So too is the paint, stain, or finish coating.

Here’s a quick run down of how the finishes rate for each frame type:

Vinyl – The color is integral throughout the frame so any damage to the outside surface of the frame won’t affect the color appearance since it’s the same color through the entire material. Some vinyl finishes will degrade or fade over time from UV exposure so be sure to check.

Fiberglass – Fiberglass has a durable powdercoat paint finish

Wood – Wood can be painted or sealed with a clear coat sealer. Both finishes need refinished more frequently than with other frame types and wood frames in general need more routine observation for potential damages.

Aluminum and steel – Paint finishes are powder coated with a durable finish. But finishes do sometimes crack, scratch, or other wise get damaged – in which case, the bare metal will be exposed and will need touched up. Certain paint applications are better than others and they vary slightly with different manufacturers so check with your specific products.

4. Check Window Wall Warranties

Another way to ensure your window products are of good quality is to review their warranties.

Many window and window wall companies offer various warranties for their systems. Most offer warranties for the glass, the installation, and the finish, separately. And each specific warranty lasts a certain number of years.

Check these warranties and compare the durations between different products that you’re considering. If one offers 5-year warranty for finishes and another offers 10-year warranty (for the same type of finish) then do your research and figure out why. It might be a sign of poor quality.

5. Maintenance & Upkeep

All window walls require some maintenance. If at the very least, they may require a visual inspection here and there to make sure nothing is damaged, that the seals, flashing, and caulking are still properly installed, and to make sure the window finish is still good.

Review the window wall maintenance instructions to understand how you might need to maintain your windows after they’re installed and for their lifespan. If they seem to require more routine upkeep than you’d like, consider a different product or talk to the vendor to see if something can be done to enable less maintenance.

Neglecting to properly inspect the windows and fix any issues that they arise will result in a shortened service life and possibly early replacement. And worse, failing to properly maintain exterior surfaces could create water and air infiltration, damaging the window and surrounding walls or letting hot/cold air to be transmitted into the house.