What was once considered a niche product is now the platinum standard for new windows. Previously we posted about vinyl and wood windows, the two most popular windows. By consumer standards, fiberglass has a ways to go befoe it catches up with wood and vinyl. By industry standards, fiberglass has not only caught up but surpassed any other material available for replacement windows.
Fiberglass windows don’t simply replace your current windows, they upgrade your entire house. The resale value of your home will actually go up. While vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free, fiberglass windows are completely maintenance free. While wood windows have a traditional look, fiberglass windows are customizable as well. Not every window is for every person or every house, but, fiberglass windows might just be the compromise many homes need to keep their charm and still upgrade to today’s standards.
Since fiberglass is used on relatively few houses compared to vinyl and wood, there are a lot of questions about the material. Below you’ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about fiberglass windows.
Do Fiberglass Windows Need To Be Painted?
Fiberglass itself does not fade, the finish on it is what causes it to fade. While it’s true that many fiberglass products do fade, it’s not true of the fiberglass windows that NG Windows sells. What causes fiberglass products, such as boats, ladders, and car parts, to fade is the gel-coat finish which is a porous mixture of polyester and resins. The finish looks fantastic when it’s first applied, but fades quickly.
NG Windows sells top of the line fiberglass windows made by Marvin Infinity, these windows are not gel-coated, they are actually an acrylic mechanically-bonded finish which is patented and exclusive to this product. The finish provides prolonged color retention so that it never fades. The heat and pressure that the bonding process requires make the acrylic part of the fiberglass, which makes it both durable and maintenance free.
Are Fiberglass Windows Strong?
We hear things like, the strength of the window material doesn’t matter and that fiberglass is brittle, all the time. The
truth is, strength does matter and fiberglass delivers. It’s 8 times stronger than vinyl and 3 times stronger than wood. The strength of the framing material is what keeps it functioning, maintenance free, year after year. Unlike wood and vinyl windows, fiberglass doesn’t expand and contract, which allows the glass to stay put.
Calling fiberglass brittle is akin to calling The Terminator fragile. Fiberglass’ strength and performance is a mix of inherent positive properties and creative engineering. That’s the advantage of a fiberglass composite, the material can be designed to produce specific attributes and the material performance and properties can be predicted and controlled.
Do Fiberglass Windows Do a Good Job Insulating a Home?
This question can be answered with one word: Yes. As discussed above, fiberglass does not expand and contract the way wood and vinyl do, which eliminates the possibility of the elements creeping in through the “cracks.” While vinyl and clad-wood windows have to be welded in the corners, Marvin Infinity fiberglass windows are mechanically fastened using a glass-reinforced corner key which is injected with a hot-melted sealant to ensure a weatherproof seal which will not leak.
Welding was a solution for other materials because of the ever-present contraction and expansion, whereas that is not a problem for fiberglass, which allows for a better solution that will keep your house warmer in the wintertime.
Are Fiberglass Windows Expensive?
If you’re looking for a quality product that you’ll never need to replace and is virtually maintenance free then the extra expense is not even something to consider. In the long run, these windows will pay for themselves. If you consider that the resale value of your home will go up, the extra expense is no different than paying a little more principle on your home, and something a little more enjoyable.
While the cost of fiberglass windows is more than other materials, the lifetime value that they provide makes it easy to justify the expense.
Now that you have the facts on fiberglass windows you can make an informed decision on whether or not it’s the right window for you. NG Windows only sells quality products and for fiberglass windows that means Marvin Infinity, the leaders in fiberglass window design and construction.
North Georgia Replacement Windows replaces windows for life. We sell the best product available for the price point that you feel comfortable with. Whether you’re replacing your windows for aesthetics, energy efficiency or your current windows just aren’t functional anymore, NG Windows has your solution. Visit us at our showroom to start getting a feel for what is right for you.
