Replacement Window Materials

Window frames are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, wood, vinyl, fibrex, and fiberglass. Frames may be primarily composed of one material, or they may be a combination of different materials such as wood and vinyl. Each frame material has its advantages and disadvantages.

Aluminum

These days aluminum is primarily used in commercial applications and rarely for residential purposes. This is because the strength aluminum provides is not needed when dealing with the typical size of a residential window. Aluminum will transfer heat, meaning it will get cold when heat retention is needed during the winter, and will transfer cold when you’re trying to maintain cool air during the summer months. In a commercial situation rigidity is needed for very large windows and aluminum must be used at the expense of energy efficiency.

Wood

Wood windows produce higher R-values, are unaffected by temperature extremes, and are less prone to condensation. However they require considerable maintenance in the form of periodic painting. If wood frames are not properly protected from moisture, they can warp, crack, and stick.

Vinyl

Vinyl windows are primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which offers many advantages. They are available in a wide range of styles and shapes, have moderate to high R-values, easily customized, competitively priced, low maintenance, and can mold easily into almost any shape.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is relatively new therefore not widely available. They have the highest R-values of all frames making them excellent insulating windows that will not warp, shrink, swell, rot, or corrode. Fiberglass frames can be made in a variety of colors and can hold large expanses of glass. Some fiberglass frames are hollow; others are filled with fiberglass insulation.

Fibrex

Fibrex material is a blend of wood fiber and specially formulated thermoplastic polymer. This unique window material is made from reclaimed wood fiber from the Andersen Window Corporation’s 65 acre manufacturing operation in Bayport, Minnesota. Fibrex combines excellent strength, insulation properties and provides low maintenance.