Your windows have seen much better days. Between the breaks, the cracks, and the warping, it seems as though you are always having to make some kind of minor repairs to them. The strong winds from the last storm were so harsh that a few of them actually busted in, leaving an ugly, patched up hole for days and costing you a hefty replacement fee. To make things worse, recently, you’ve heard about a material that is common in window manufacturing that you could have been using for some time that would have prevented the breakages and the warping. Does fiberglass really have a sizable advantage over vinyl in terms of window construction?
Fiberglass, for Eight Times the Strength of Vinyl
Vinyl windows have been a popular choice for window construction for quite some time. Their moderate flexibility and up-front affordability are options that many customers appreciate and prefer. However, in just about every other criteria, fiberglass trumps vinyl. Imagine that you are looking to construct long lasting casement windows. While the up-front costs of vinyl windows may be lower than fiberglass, the fact that the vinyl windows may need to be replaced multiple times immediately adds to their overall expense. Additionally, vinyl windows expand to a greater degree in thermal conditions which creates weak seals. These weak seals may not be immediately apparent, but they are quickly felt via more direct exposure to the elements. The result of this are increased trips to the thermostat and higher energy bills at the end of the month! Vinyl casement windows may be aesthetically pleasing, adding a degree of originally to a home, yet the overall strength of fiberglass, roughly eight times that of vinyl, makes fiberglass the obvious option.
Durability and “Glass Space” Means More Wins for Fiberglass
Fiberglass is also the favorite in two other important categories. Durability, or the length that windows are expected to last, is clearly in fiberglass’ favor with windows expected to last longer by a significant margin. This can save time and money in the long run. Additionally, fiberglass frames are much stronger than vinyl frames. Because of this, more overall glass can be supported on a window or door which results in much larger glass throughout the construction of the object. More glass means more light and a much more beautiful window experience.
When searching for casement windows, you may be thinking that the lowest possible price will inevitably be the best option for you. However, if you take the time to think about the advantages that fiberglass possesses, as it continues to make headway into the residential window market, you may need to reconsider your purchasing strategy!
