Window Material Comparison

Fiberglass Windows

Fiberglass Window Pros

• Strength: 8X Stronger than Vinyl, 3X Stronger than Fibrex Composite.
• Stability - Doesn't Expand or Contract
• Paintable
• Thermoset - Only degrades at surface temperatures ABOVE 285 degrees (we'll have other concerns if that happens 😁)
• Low Maintenance
• Last a Housetime
•  

Fiberglass Window Cons

• May cost slightly more than "high-end" vinyl windows.
• ...and that's it!

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl Window Pros

• Low Maintenance
• Low Cost
• Not much else

• Non-paintable
• Poor Strength
• Weakest material to manufacture windows which leads to...
• Expansion & Contraction, therefore seal failure & air infiltration
• Warping, bending, bowing, fading, blistering, and...
• Thick, ugly vinyl frames and sashes which lead to  limited views.
• Do not Make The Vinyl Mistake

• Low Exterior Maintenance
• Color Choices
• Interior paintable/stainable
• The look and feel of real wood
• Hardware Choices

• Cost
• Lack of exterior detail
• Interior maintenance
• Quality can vary

• Exterior Architectural Detail
• Color choices
• Thermal Performance

• Exterior maintenance
• High Cost for Quality
• Rotting, warping, pest infiltration
• Fire Hazard

• Color choices
• Not as bad as vinyl
• Low Maintenance
  

• Cost
• Fibrex combines 40% wood sawdust with 60% vinyl
• Limited number of manufacturers
• Durability may vary
• Thermoplastic - can begin to degrade at just 70 or 80 degrees

• Strength
• Color choices
• Low Maintenance
• Durability
• Options

• Quality Varies
• Low Thermal Performance
• Thermal Barrier issues
• Corrosion potential

• Strength
• Narrow sight lines
• Modern looks
• Color choices
• Durability

• Feels cold
• Conductive
• Can rust or corrode
• Heavy material
• High cost