If you like the traditional look of wood windows but would prefer something more durable, windows made of fiberglass or vinyl offer a solution. Unlike vinyl windows, Fiberglass windows can look like wood, but the materials don’t weather, warp or rot, and they don’t require a new coat of paint every year. Fiberglass windows also offer several significant advantages over vinyl.
Replacement Windows
Most replacement windows are made of wood, aluminum, vinyl or fiberglass. Wood windows look attractive, but even with regular maintenance, they degrade over time. Aluminum windows, on the other hand, are durable but they lack the aesthetic qualities of wood, and they aren’t energy efficient. Vinyl windows initially offered a durable and more energy-efficient option with their introduction to the market decades ago, but for the latest and best option for windows that look like wood, fiberglass easily trumps the rest.
Durability
Fiberglass windows stay looking good for much longer than wood windows without any maintenance. They don’t require regular painting or staining to prevent them from weathering, and they don’t become infested with insects. Fiberglass windows are also more durable than vinyl, lasting up to 38% longer. Additionally, because fiberglass is made from the same material as window panes, the frames expand and contract at the same rate, reducing the risks of seal failure.
Paint Finishes
Though painting wooden windows can be a chore, some homeowners like having the option to alter their home’s color scheme. Repainting isn’t possible with vinyl windows because they’re made of plastic which doesn’t paint easily, the windows will likely warp, and you will void your warranty if you paint. With fiberglass windows, however, homeowners can choose to leave them in their original color or paint them.
Strength
Strong, sturdy window frames in replacement windows are a must. Fiberglass is a clear winner over vinyl in this area as well. High-quality windows like Infinity from Marvin fiberglass windows are 800% stronger than vinyl because they are made from a patented fiberglass material called Ultrex.
Energy Efficiency
Heat enters and leaves homes through window panes and frames, and through small gaps in the seal between the window frames and the wall. Window panes are insulated through multiple panes of glass, but with window frames, the frame material makes all the difference. Vinyl and fiberglass are efficient insulators, but fiberglass windows are much less likely to develop gaps in the seals.
If you would like the look of wood windows without the fuss of regular maintenance, fiberglass windows are an excellent alternative. They shrug off the weather extremes that quickly age wood and vinyl windows, yet they can be painted or stained to match the home’s color scheme. Contact North Georgia Replacement Windows to find out more about the advantages of fiberglass windows.
