Window Boxes are a great way to add curb appeal to your home. It's a great way to blend a nicely landscaped yard with the home. There are many things to consider when trying to make your selection. Questions include: How much does it cost? Can it be painted? How long will it last? Can it be installed into the home? Are custom lengths available? What does it look like? How long will we be living in the home? These are all very valid questions and to help you make your decision I will discuss the pros and cons of each of the different styles currently being used in the industry.

Window boxes come in a variety of materials. Wooden window boxes are the traditional standard and can be directly mounted to the home to add value. Disadvantages to wooden window boxes are that they will rot, it's just a matter of when. Wood is not ideal for moisture prone applications and once water seeps into the material and generally last about 5-7 years. The advantages to wood are that they can be custom made to fit almost any size and are usually the most affordable for custom windows. Next, there's vinyl. Vinyl is the cheapest choice, but is often made from thinly molded material that usually is vulnerable to cracking over time, this also rules out getting a custom size to fit any window. Disadvantages to vinyl are that the cannot be directly mounted to the home, but will need to sit atop brackets. The advantages to vinyl are that they are extremely cost-effective and can get the job done for some small windows.

Next, there's wrought iron. Wrought iron achieves a distinct look that is nowhere to be found with any other material choice. For many people who want this look, wrought iron is the only choice for them. Disadvantages to wrought-iron are rusting. You may need to spray the boxes with a primer and with black spray paint periodically to keep chipped paint from being exposed. This will keep the box looking new for a long time. Additionally, wrought-iron window boxes often act as more of a holding cage than a true window box. Often potted plants are placed inside of the cage or a seperate window box all together. The advantages to wrought-iron is that they add a distinct look of class, they can be customized, and they can be maintained to last a long time.

Lastly, there's PVC. PVC is a very new concept that's only been around for a couple of years. PVC window boxes are a great choice for those who want a structural window box that needs to match any window and needs to mount to the house without ever needing any maintenance. The advantages of PVC window boxes are that they require no maintenance and hold paint for 15-20 years without fading. Since they are impervious to water, they are ideal for this type of application. Disadvantages to PVC window boxes are that they are usually more expensive than wood by about 20%.

So now that you know the advantages and disadvantage to each of the different window box types, it's time to go and and add some curb appeal to your home.