Black window frames: The hottest trend in replacement windows

Answer: The newest hot trend in Arizona? Black windows.

Depending on the material used, such as vinyl, wood or fiberglass, windows are generally available in multiple colors, with the most common being white, almond, clay, bronze, or the normal assortment of wood stain colors. However, black frames are entering the market in a major way, now available in almost every frame material.

Every manufacturer is racing to provide product in this color, with varying methods of accomplishing it. Fiberglass, wood and aluminum-clad wood are all available with black exteriors, and either a black or white interior. However, for America’s most popular product, vinyl windows, it’s not yet possible to infuse the vinyl with black during the extrusion process, which is the normal method of mixing color into product.

Instead, some are offering factory-painted frame exteriors to meet demand for the black window trend.

One manufacturer is also offering a capstock frame, which includes a black acrylic layer extruded over the vinyl. While it’s less prone to scratches than a painted finish, both the capstock and painted options include only a 10-year limited warranty from this manufacturer, instead of the standard lifetime warranty it normally offers.