Durability: Fiberglass replacement windows are perhaps the strongest option available, known for their resistance to extreme temperature and also for their durability. Vinyl windows can be reinforced with interlocking sashes.
VINYL. Vinyl window frames are slowly becoming the dominant window type due to their affordability, superior insulator qualities, and relatively low maintenance requirements. Vinyl window frames can be built to fit any size opening, with limitless color options and various performance-enhancing features.
Casement windows are considered better than double-hung windows at keeping out drafts since the window seal is generally quite tight. Casement windows are good when you want to "scoop" cooling outside air into the house.
Fiberglass windows are up to eight times stronger than vinyl, which means they generally last longer. A good quality vinyl replacement window can last up to 30 years or more, while fiberglass windows can last 50 years or more. The reason fiberglass replacement windows are stronger and more durable is due to its makeup.
Vinyl windows are typically thin and hollow, while composite windows are thick, providing better insulation and durability. In fact, composite offer over 200% better insulation than vinyl. Replacing all of your current windows with composite windows can save you up 40% on your home's heating bill.
A leading complaint from homeowners is that vinyl window frames are too bulky. Because this material is not as strong and durable as fiberglass and aluminum, the manufactures have to use more of it in frame construction.
And though all windows expand and contract with temperature changes, vinyl expands more than twice that of wood. It expands seven times farther than glass with each degree of temperature. This can cause the seal between the vinyl framework and the glass to fail.
Energy-Efficient Glass
With dual-pane or triple-pane glass, inert argon gas can be used between panes of glass to improve insulating properties. Laminated, tempered, tinted and obscure insulating glass can also add ultraviolet protection to help keep your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
Fiberglass windows are stronger and more durable than most windows, including all-wood windows. Extreme temperatures have almost no impact on fiberglass, so they are less prone to expansion and contraction. This leads to less warping and cracking—which leads to a longer lifespan and better energy efficiency.
A benefit of aluminum is that it is more flexible than wood as well as other materials like fiberglass and vinyl. More flexibility makes it is easier to mold this material into custom shapes for windows.
PVC windows are remarkably durable
quality windows stand out with their distortion resistance and high level of functionality for years and years. Based on their long service live of at least 50 years PVC windows are an excellent investment, also with regard to maintaining a property's value.
Very strong – aluminium alloys are used to make window door and curtain wall frames. That's because pure aluminium on its own doesn't have a high tensile strength. However, once it is alloyed with other elements like manganese, silicon, copper and magnesium its strength increases vastly.
According to www.efficientwindows.org, single-glazed windows with clear glass allow “the highest transfer of energy (i.e., heat loss or heat gain depending on local climate conditions) while permitting the highest daylight transmission.” No wonder such windows are practically extinct in residential architecture.
Triple pane windows can be up to 50 percent more energy efficient than a single pane window, and up to 20 percent more efficient than a double pane. If you live in an extremely cold climate, double and triple pane windows can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling bills.
Many window design professionals agree that new, quality windows should last between 15 and 20 years before you start to think about replacing them. Most companies producing vinyl windows often provide a 20-25 year warranty, which is essentially a lifetime warranty – the expected lifetime of the product.
Fewer options Compared with wood, fiberglass is more difficult to customize into unique shapes and profiles, and has fewer color and hardware options to choose from. Harder to find Only a handful of companies make these windows, and not all of them distribute nationwide.
Energy Efficiency
Fibrex and fiberglass windows are both extremely energy-efficient. Fiberglass is a better insulator, but Fibrex is more efficient than most other window materials. If you notice a draft or a gap in either window type's insulation, have it repaired immediately to keep your power bills low.
Fibreglass last a long time, it can be coloured, shiny or dull. It is low maintenance, anti-magnetic, fire resistant, good electrical insulator and weatherproof. The disadvantages is that it needs to be re-gel coated about every five years and can result in airborne fibres which may be an issue to asthma sufferers.
On average, vinyl windows last between 20-40 years. Their life expectancy depends on the climate and conditions you live in. For instance, if your windows are exposed to harsh sunlight for extended periods of time, the vinyl will break down faster and their lifespan will be closer to 20 years.
Cheap vinyl windows won't last long, but quality vinyl windows typically last 20 years or longer, with some lasting as long as 50 years.
Vinyl Windows
Yes, replacing worn out windows with vinyl ones does boost a home's value, as long as the window installation is done the right way. When they sell, homeowners can recover as much as 71 percent of the upfront remodeling cost of new windows.
sagging. Unlike wood, which is more rigid, vinyl has the tendency to sag over time. This warping is a cosmetic blemish as well as a potential cause for the window to become inoperable. If the frame sags, operable windows may bind or jam.
Vinyl windows aren't as durable as wood windows, but they can last over 20 years. A quality vinyl window will also save you money on energy bills because the insulation in the frame of the window itself is energy efficient. Additionally, vinyl windows require no maintenance because they never need painting or scraping.