Fiberglass Windows
Fiberglass windows have a number of benefits and advantages that make them suitable for use in all sorts of buildings. Fiberglass windows are particularly common in extreme climates due to their properties and features.
If you are considering replacing windows in your home, you have a few different options to choose from. You can install wooden, vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass windows.
Vinyl or Fiberglass
Vinyl windows are made from UPVC, which is the same type of plastic used to make the pipes for your bathroom plumbing. Concern has been raised regarding the negative environmental impact that UPVC windows are causing.
Fiberglass windows, on the other hand, are made of glass fibers. These tiny fibers are fused together to produce sheets of a plastic-like material.
Which One to Choose
It can be complicated to choose between vinyl and fiberglass windows because each of the manufacturers will suggest that their product is the best. There are lots of advantages of fiberglass windows, which is why you might consider using them.
Both fiberglass and vinyl windows are available in all sorts of different colors and styles which make them suitable for everyone. However, fiberglass windows are slightly more and they are also less insulating.
UPVC windows are designed in such a way as to trap air pockets inside the frame, which increases insulation. If you are trying to find an effective way of insulating your property, installing vinyl windows is a logical choice.
Strength
Fiberglass windows have the added advantage of being much stronger than vinyl, which means superior durability. Most fiberglass windows will last for longer than a vinyl window.
Expansion
Vinyl windows can suffer from expansion and contraction almost as much as wood, however, fiberglass windows are much more resistant to the continually changing temperatures. Fiberglass windows will not experience as many problems with weather changes. Fiberglass windows are much less likely to rot, warp, bow or shrink even in the most extreme weather. Fiberglass is a much less brittle material that doesn't change as much in different temperatures.
Painting
Vinyl windows stay the same for their whole life and they cannot be painted. However, fiberglass windows can be painted if you wish, but there's no need to paint them after purchase if you don't want to. It's strictly a matter of aesthetics.
Because they are oil-based products, PVC and most plastics are flammable. Fiberglass, on the other hand, is made from glass, which is not flammable thus reducing the risk of fire spreading through a structure.
Both fiberglass and vinyl windows have their own advantages. You will need to weigh the pros and cons of each to choose the best one for your situation. Generally speaking, fiberglass will last longer and is resistant to temperature changes. Vinyl, on the other hand, is cheaper and a better insulator.
