Choosing a Window Box - Fiberglass, wood, PVC
Posted by Flower Window Boxes at 4/7/2008 
Categories: Window Box Ideas
Tags: fiberglass window box pvc window box window box wood window box
Categories: Window Box Ideas
Tags: fiberglass window box pvc window box window box wood window box
When choosing a window box it is essential that you have all the information in front of you. First off, there are many materials to choose from: wood, vinyl, PVC, fiberglass, aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper to name a few.
Wooden window boxes are the old standard that has been around for centuries and is an affordable solution to window box planting and gardening. The advantages are that they can be painted, custom sizes are usually available as an option and they are often affordable. The disadvantages are that the average wood window box lasts about 5 years and usually show signs of rotting after just 3 years. They will require a liner inside and they are vulnerable to splinterring, warping, paint fading and peeling, moisture, and insects. The ideal choice for wood window boxes are made from either cypruss or cedar. Both woods have the ability to resist rotting and will help the window box last a couple of extra years longer.
Vinyl window boxes are an alternative to wood that is a no rot solution to window boxes. Vinyl is resistant to moisture, however, vinyl window boxes usually do not accept paint, have a shiny appearance, and are made from thin double walled material that can crack over time as the seasonal temperature shifts cause it to contract and expand again and again. Vinyl is a great choice for someone who wants a no rot planter that needs to be white and lives in an environment where temperature changes are minimal. Vinyl window boxes are not ideal for supporting heavy loads and would be most recommended for smaller windows where durability is less of a factor, but can be affordable and available in custom sizes.
PVC window boxes are an upgrade over vinyl in that they are made from solid core material that will not split or crack over time. Additionally, PVC window boxes are moisture and rot free and have the ability to accept paint readily. Since they have a matted finish to them, they often look like wood after being painted. They are lightweight and also available in custom window box sizes. They are also ideal for supporting heavy loads and for large window box sizes and can be easily installed on all surfaces. The disadvantage is that PVC window boxes generally cost 15-25% more than wood and it is not recommended that you paint them black.
Fiberglass planters offer many of the advantages of PVC window boxes in that they will not rot and are moisture resistant. The advantages of fiberglass window boxes are that they are available in custom sizes and they can usually be painted as well. The disadvantages are that they are generally heavier, less customizable, pricier of all the options, and usually use a modified clip system for installation that may limit there ability to be installed on all surfaces.
Next, that takes us to aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper window boxes. Aluminum is an upgrade over wrought-iron in that it can be sprayed black to look like iron but will never rust. A wrought-iron window box will generally show signs of rust in 3-5 years and may require maintenance. Metal window box cages will need liners to hold potting soil directly or they can be used to hold potted plants instead. Some metal window boxes are bulk manufactured in certain sizes and are made affordable at that size. However, custom sizing can be pricey or limited in availability. Copper window boxes tend to be pricey, but offer a very distinct look that cannot be substituted in any way.
Window Boxes
Wooden window boxes are the old standard that has been around for centuries and is an affordable solution to window box planting and gardening. The advantages are that they can be painted, custom sizes are usually available as an option and they are often affordable. The disadvantages are that the average wood window box lasts about 5 years and usually show signs of rotting after just 3 years. They will require a liner inside and they are vulnerable to splinterring, warping, paint fading and peeling, moisture, and insects. The ideal choice for wood window boxes are made from either cypruss or cedar. Both woods have the ability to resist rotting and will help the window box last a couple of extra years longer.
Vinyl window boxes are an alternative to wood that is a no rot solution to window boxes. Vinyl is resistant to moisture, however, vinyl window boxes usually do not accept paint, have a shiny appearance, and are made from thin double walled material that can crack over time as the seasonal temperature shifts cause it to contract and expand again and again. Vinyl is a great choice for someone who wants a no rot planter that needs to be white and lives in an environment where temperature changes are minimal. Vinyl window boxes are not ideal for supporting heavy loads and would be most recommended for smaller windows where durability is less of a factor, but can be affordable and available in custom sizes.
PVC window boxes are an upgrade over vinyl in that they are made from solid core material that will not split or crack over time. Additionally, PVC window boxes are moisture and rot free and have the ability to accept paint readily. Since they have a matted finish to them, they often look like wood after being painted. They are lightweight and also available in custom window box sizes. They are also ideal for supporting heavy loads and for large window box sizes and can be easily installed on all surfaces. The disadvantage is that PVC window boxes generally cost 15-25% more than wood and it is not recommended that you paint them black.
Fiberglass planters offer many of the advantages of PVC window boxes in that they will not rot and are moisture resistant. The advantages of fiberglass window boxes are that they are available in custom sizes and they can usually be painted as well. The disadvantages are that they are generally heavier, less customizable, pricier of all the options, and usually use a modified clip system for installation that may limit there ability to be installed on all surfaces.
Next, that takes us to aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper window boxes. Aluminum is an upgrade over wrought-iron in that it can be sprayed black to look like iron but will never rust. A wrought-iron window box will generally show signs of rust in 3-5 years and may require maintenance. Metal window box cages will need liners to hold potting soil directly or they can be used to hold potted plants instead. Some metal window boxes are bulk manufactured in certain sizes and are made affordable at that size. However, custom sizing can be pricey or limited in availability. Copper window boxes tend to be pricey, but offer a very distinct look that cannot be substituted in any way.
Window Boxes
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