If you're debating between wood or fiberglass windows for your upcoming window replacement, you're likely curious about the benefits and disadvantages of each.
Wood offers a warm, classic appearance, and fiberglass is popular and versatile. But which material can truly stand the test of time and keep your home looking beautiful for decades?
Read our analysis below to determine which window material offers the perfect low-maintenance, cost-effective complement to your home—and discover the benefits of installing fiberglass windows from North Georgia Replacement Windows!
Fiberglass vs. Wood Windows: How Do They Compare?
Should you install traditional wood windows or Infinity from Marvin® Ultrex® fiberglass windows?
Read each material's unique pros and cons below to discover which adds the best value, appeal, and longevity to your home.
Durability
Wood: Even though wood is a heavy, sturdy material, it's not as durable as you think. Wood windows are prone to moisture damage and tend to swell, crack, and rot when exposed to rain, snow, and temperature changes. Wood also attracts pests, so windows made with this natural material may become infested with ants, termites, beetles, and other insects.
Fiberglass: Infinity from Marvin fiberglass windows are made from Ultrex®—the strongest framing material on the market. This durable material resists bending, breaking, and flexing and is entirely water-resistant, so it won't rot, swell, or develop mold. In fact, Ultrex is eight times stronger than vinyl and three times stronger than vinyl/wood composites. That's one tough material!
Click here to learn how to prevent and fix wood rot problems with your windows.
Attractiveness
Wood: Typically, aesthetic appeal is one of the deciding factors for homeowners who choose wood windows. Wood offers a rich, textured appearance that gives these windows a warm, traditional look.
Fiberglass: If you love the style of wood windows but don't want to sacrifice durability for beauty, you're in luck. The Infinity window was designed by a wood window architect and was designed to incorporate the details and character of wood windows but without the maintenance. In addition, Infinity also offers EverWood®, an interior finish engineered from inorganic materials made to match your home's interior finishes. This unique material looks, feels, and stains just like wood, but it's completely waterproof and offers low-maintenance upkeep and long-lasting beauty. Since EverWood is permanently adhered to the fiberglass substrate, you can be confident your beautiful fiberglass windows will last a lifetime!
Efficiency
Wood: Wood windows are highly efficient when they are first installed. However, as we mentioned earlier, wood tends to expand and warp over time. These windows can develop gaps that cause them to lose their energy efficiency over the years.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most energy-efficient window material on the market. Fiberglass expands at nearly the same rate as glass, making these windows resistant to seal failures, air leaks, and energy inefficiencies. Infinity from Marvin windows are also custom-fit to your home to ensure they are tight, secure, and efficient from the moment of installation.
Maintenance
Wood: Wood windows are notorious for their high-maintenance upkeep. They are prone to deterioration from the elements, are more likely to suffer from pest damage, and need to be painted, stained, and sealed every three to four years.
Fiberglass: If time-consuming maintenance isn't your cup of tea, you'll likely prefer hassle-free fiberglass windows. Infinity from Marvin windows come with a fade-resistant acrylic finish that resists scratching, chalking, denting, peeling, and more to preserve your home's curb appeal. You can choose from multiple exterior and interior finishes to find the perfect color to match your exterior.
Cost
Wood and fiberglass windows can be comparably priced for the material and installation. However, when you factor in the cost of maintenance, repairs, and high energy bills caused by wood windows, it's easy to see that fiberglass is the most budget-effective option.
Enjoy Lasting Performance with Infinity from Marvin Fiberglass Windows by North Georgia Replacement Windows
If you'd like to upgrade your windows with industry-leading durability, picturesque views, and a wood-like appearance, look no further than Infinity from Marvin fiberglass windows.
These stylish, durable windows offer all the qualities homeowners love about wood windows—without the high-maintenance upkeep and frustrating deterioration.
Contact us today to schedule your free replacement window proposal.
Further Reading
