All clad: with good looks and impact-resistant features, aluminum- and vinyl-clad windows prove why they're tops with homeowners.(Windows & Doors)

Increased strength, unique profiles and wood species, and an expanding selection of hardware and finishes are the reasons why aluminum- and vinyl-clad windows continue to be popular with pros and homeowners.

From hurricanes in Florida to blizzards in Boston to tornadoes in Texas, bad weather is at the forefront of national news. For window manufacturers, this means an increasing interest in products that can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at them and still look great.

Offering units that meet more stringent impact-resistance codes is practically a prerequisite for clad-window manufacturers these days.

"The Florida hurricanes have really brought attention to and accelerated code adoption," comments Greg Galloway, MW business manager for wood, vinyl-clad, and composite products.

Proponents of aluminum-clad windows assert that aluminum is the best cladding for harsh environments because it can't be dinged or dented, is low-maintenance, and is good-looking.

Tom O'Reilly, a managing partner of Living Color Property Development in Del Ray Beach, Fla., mainly installs aluminum-clad windows. "They're very durable and the cost evens out over time," the builder says.

Meanwhile, vinyl-clad fans claim that vinyl exteriors are superior because they resist humidity in warm, sticky climates.

Paul Gidus of PSG Construction, an Orlando, Fla.-based remodeling firm, recommends vinyl-clad and all-vinyl windows to his clients for that reason. What's more, vinyl-clad units are more affordable than aluminum clad in his area, he comments.

Vinyl-clad window prices start at about $250 per window, although adding impact-resistant and laminated glass drives costs way up.

Although composite materials are prevalent in …