Shopping for new windows is often a process of elimination, and when you’ve got your choices narrowed down to fiberglass or wood, it can be difficult choosing which is better for you. We’ve put together some basic, but important, properties of each and contrasted them in this two-part entry for you.
Durability
Because there are trees all over the world, people have been using wood to build their dwellings since the beginning of recorded time. Although fiberglass is much newer, having been developed in the last half of the 20th century, both materials are great insulators and will boost energy efficiency. However, what fiberglass lacks in the history department, it more than makes up for in durability. It will never warp, rot, contract or expand in response to changes in its environment like wood does. For toughness, fiberglass windows rule the day.
Energy Efficiency
As mentioned above, both wood and fiberglass are great at insulating homes. In fact, they’ve both proven themselves to have very similar R values. However, since fiberglass is so much more durable and resilient to harsh Minnesota weather, it won’t leak or need to be repaired as often as wood windows do. In the long term, fiberglass is the best choice.
Appearance
The classic look of wood is beloved by many people, and few materials can be stained quite the same way as this lovely natural material. Both wood and fiberglass can be molded into any shape or size window frame. Many manufacturers offer wood clad windows to offer the classic look of wood to the interior while still benefiting from the toughness of fiberglass on the outside. In this category, the two materials are tied.
In the next installment, we’ll compare and contrast what these two common window materials have to offer in the categories of maintenance and final value of your home. Window Outfitters is proud to install both fiberglass and wood windows from such fine companies as Pella, Marvin Windows and Doors and WeatherShield.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
