The Pros And Cons Of Vinyl And Fiberglass Energy Efficient Windows | Fort Worth, TX
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Energy efficient windows have received a great deal of public attention in recent years. Concerns over energy usage, and utility bills, are very common, but windows do a lot more than block a hole in the wall. Windows let natural sunlight into our home, offer views of our surroundings, muffle noise, and create visual accents to enhance a home’s exterior and interior appearance. Vinyl and fiberglass window frames are also enjoying a steady rise in popularity. Every type of material used to construct energy efficient windows has positive benefits and potential negative drawbacks. Homeowners need to weigh advantages and disadvantages and choose windows with the best mix of properties to complement specific homes, locations, and lifestyles.
Installation
Vinyl is pliable and flexible, which means it can expand and contract easily. A vinyl frame can be installed if it’s 1/8-inch larger or smaller than the required window size. Flexible vinyl material facilitates fast, efficient installation. Fiberglass frames do not lend themselves to an easy or quick installation because fiberglass is a rigid material. There’s very little margin for error, so the fiberglass frame must be very precisely matched to the target window size. It can be hard to maneuver rigid materials into a window opening, so installing fiberglass frames tends to take longer than vinyl installation.
Durability
Fiberglass is approximately eight times stronger than vinyl. A fiberglass window can last up to 50 years. This is an impressive length of time, but vinyl frames are also very durable and last up to 30 years. Both materials are made of plastic, but fiberglass window frames are reinforced with glass fibers as well. The process of making fiberglass is similar to weaving textiles. A weft inserter instrument weaves and integrates glass fibers inside a resin injector. An injector then places each glass fiber in strategic locations to maximize durability and strength. Fiberglass energy efficient windows are designed to tolerate hot and cold temperatures.
This process is necessary because glass is very fragile on its own. The woven glass and plastic material is much stronger than any of its individual components. Glass fibers increase strength and durability. They also reduce noise and improve insulation in your home. Neither glass or plastic fibers conduct heat or cold well, so the materials are excellent insulators. Fiberglass may be up to 15% more efficient as an insulator than vinyl, although further studies are needed to confirm that. The downside to glass fibers is their weight.
A fiberglass frame can weigh significantly more than a vinyl frame of equivalent size. However, fiberglass frames may be much thinner than vinyl and still support the same amount of glass. This is an advantage for narrow framed casement, double-hung, clerestory, or awning window styles. Narrow energy efficient windows are often designed to appear elegant and modern. Fiberglass is a good choice if you prefer large, eye-catching windows with extensive glass surface area. If fiberglass frames aren’t available, you can still plan your large windows. Vinyl is an acceptable substitute. The additional glass fibers in fiberglass frames also reduce noise and improve insulation in your home.
Sensitivity to Temperature
Homeowners need to consider summer weather in Fort Worth, TX. The same qualities that make vinyl relatively easy to install also leave the material susceptible to high temperatures. Vinyl frames may expand during the hottest part of the day, and the material can actually melt if temperatures reach 165 degrees. Constant expanding and contracting can warp energy efficient windows. Warped frames leave gaps between the frame and the wall. Not only is a warped frame unsightly, but it can also let drafts enter your home and increase electric or gas bills. Fiberglass does not melt or deform in any way regardless of the temperature.
Energy efficient windows in Fort Worth, TX, don’t have to be high-maintenance. Homeowners have to deal with sealing, painting, patching, rot, and many other issues. Vinyl and fiberglass are easily cleaned and maintained. Use a brush or sponge with warm water to remove mud, dust, and other grime from the window frame. Sometimes extreme temperature shifts cause cracks and warping in vinyl frames. If this happens, you can use caulk as a stopgap solution, but a permanent repair has to be addressed at some point.
Appearance
A window’s appearance is one of its most important properties. It’s impossible to say that vinyl is more visually appealing than fiberglass, or vice versa because rating appearance is a subjective judgment. There isn’t much difference between the appearance of glass panes in fiberglass or vinyl energy efficient windows from a distance. Closer examination may reveal a join line in the corner of vinyl windows. This line is absent in fiberglass frames. Vinyl window frames aren’t painted, but fiberglass can be painted. This gives fiberglass the advantage when it comes to choosing from an extensive array of colors and styles.
Painted frames have plenty of downsides though. Peeling, chipping, and fading are very hard to Homeowners need to remember that paint isn’t permanent. It chips and fades and peels, especially without proper maintenance. Color can’t chip away from vinyl because the color is part of the vinyl material itself. Maintenance requirements for fiberglass or vinyl energy efficient windows is very light as far as the frame is concerned. Fiberglass window frames are resistant to moisture. Vinyl and fiberglass are also rust resistant because they don’t contain any materials capable of oxidizing.
Contact Energy Window Solutions in Fort Worth, TX, if you’re considering new energy efficient windows. The wide range of styles and other options can be daunting, but shopping for new windows should be an enjoyable experience. A team of experienced professionals at Energy Window Solutions install windows, but they’re also quite happy to provide guidance and help you choose the best new windows for your home.