What Types of Replacement Windows Are Eco-Friendly?

With a major focus on sustainability and climate change, choosing energy-efficient items when you’re remodeling home is very important.  Often when we meet with prospective customers in the Minneapolis metro area about replacement windows, the question comes up.  But in addition to energy efficiency, knowing how eco-friendly a window is also matters.  All the windows we install are considered very energy efficient, but some types would be considered more environmentally friendly than others.  How eco-friendly any particular window is depends both on how energy efficient it is as well as what the frame itself is made of. Also things like the number of glass panes and coatings also affect the designation. In this post we’ll handle window frames.

What Replacement Window Frame Materials Are Eco-Friendly?

The most common types of window frame material people in our area choose are vinyl, wood (with wrapped exteriors) and fiberglass.  Of the three, fiberglass is considered to be the most eco-friendly.  Fiberglass window frames also have the best insulating qualities, so you get both aspects.

• Vinyl windows are generally the most economical.  And while the vinyl windows we offer from a variety of manufacturers have great features that contribute to their high energy efficiency, vinyl itself is produced from petroleum products and/or coal.
• Wood window frames provide great insulating value, but they require frequent upkeep and re-painting or staining, which can reduce how eco-friendly they are.  Often people choose wood windows with vinyl or aluminum exteriors to cut down on that maintenance. But they are more expensive than vinyl.
• Fiberglass window frames are considered by many to be the most eco-friendly replacement window option. 

Fiberglass Replacement Windows: The Most Eco-Friendly Option

Fiberglass windows will cost more up front than vinyl or wood, but in the long run the benefits make them worth the price.  Fiberglass replacement windows such as the ones we install from Marvin are our first recommendation when homeowners ask us about an eco-friendly window.

If you’re interested in learning more about energy-efficient fiberglass replacement windows or getting a free quote, please contact us.  We are a licensed Minnesota home improvement company serving the greater Minneapolis St. Paul metro area.

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.