Are your windows past their prime, allowing drafts and condensation into your home? There are so many options for replacement windows, how can you choose? The two most common materials for windows are vinyl and fiberglass, each with its own qualities. Your windows play an important role in your home’s exterior style, its energy efficiency, and more. Find out everything a homeowner needs to know about the differences between vinyl and fiberglass windows to make the best choice for your home!
All of the performance and style differences between vinyl and fiberglass are due to how they’re made. Vinyl windows are made from extruded polyvinyl chloride, but usually include a metal internal frame to provide structure. Fiberglass window frames are made from intensely heated glass that’s pulled into fibers and infused with resins to make them easily molded and durable.
The differences in how vinyl and fiberglass are made affect how they’re compared across these different categories:
Fiberglass and vinyl windows may look similar from a distance, but fiberglass window frames are able to be made in thinner widths due to their strength, leaving more room for glass panes and resulting in less view obstruction and more natural light. You may also notice that vinyl windows will have noticeable seams where fiberglass frames will not.
Fiberglass windows also come in many more styles and color options. Fiberglass is able to be painted and can be made to resemble the texture of real wood. Vinyl windows can’t be painted but can come in several baked-on colors. Some window manufacturers also offer fiberglass windows that are available with wood veneer on the interior side of the window.
Vinyl windows do cost less than fiberglass windows. Each vinyl window plus installation could cost between 10% to 30% less than fiberglass. The cost for each vinyl window plus installation could range from $500 to $800, while you can expect fiberglass to cost from $600 to $1,000 per window.
While both vinyl and fiberglass are more durable than wood windows, fiberglass windows will have a longer lifespan because fiberglass can be up to nine times stronger than vinyl. Vinyl windows will last about 30 years, while fiberglass windows could last around 50 years. Because fiberglass is more durable, it resists warping because it won’t expand and contract with changing temperatures like vinyl can. When vinyl windows become misshapen over time, the seals can lose their resilience and the glass panes can be susceptible to breaking more easily. Failed window seals can result in moisture transference, which can cause condensation.
Because fiberglass is made from glass, the frame and the panes will expand and contract at the same rate, so the seals will stay intact. Also, because vinyl windows have welded seams, the degradation of the seams over time is another cause of condensation and drafts with older vinyl windows.
Fiberglass performs better than vinyl in terms of energy efficiency as well. Fiberglass windows can be up to 15% more energy efficient due to their glass base. Both vinyl and fiberglass help to slow thermal energy transference because of their hollow cores, but fiberglass simply does it better. And, because fiberglass is stronger, it can support more panes of glass. A triple-paned window will trap heat and cold and provide a better barrier, keeping your indoor temperature more stable.
Both vinyl and fiberglass require little to no maintenance, especially when compared to wood windows. They’re both very easy to clean, but fiberglass will need to be repainted if they were painted from the start. Vinyl windows, because the seals can become compromised over time, will need re-caulking. Your vinyl windows will need to be replaced before fiberglass windows, up to 20 years earlier.
Fiberglass windows require less maintenance, last longer, and can be more stylish, making the value they add to a home’s overall resale value higher. In terms of replacing your windows before putting your home on the market, however, if your vinyl windows are in great shape, the investment to replace all of your windows with fiberglass may not yield the return on investment you’d hope for. However, if you plan to stay in your home for several years, the investment in fiberglass will be worth the expense.
Overall, fiberglass windows are considered a better choice. If you’re concerned with durability, having multiple style options, and energy efficiency, and your budget can cover new fiberglass windows, you’ll benefit from what they have to offer. This isn’t to say that vinyl windows are a bad choice, however. You’ll want to sit down with a professional consultant to explore what’s available, the costs, and which window material is right for you and your home.
Even with all of this information, you may still be on the fence about which window material is best for your home and budget. Schedule a consultation with a professional remodeler to assess your needs and help to come up with a plan. Smardbuild is an exterior home remodeling specialist in the Chicago area that’s helped countless homeowners with decisions like these. Contact Smardbuild to schedule a consultation and start the conversation about your home’s exterior upgrades.