09/11/2021
Interesting read:
Fiberglass vs Wood vs Vinyl Window Frames
Features Advantages & Benefits (FAB)
Fibertec fiberglass –
- triple pane option available
- Fibertec is a certified Cardinal Glass fabricator, and has access to many of the Cardinal products.
- Fibertec glass line uses a H.B. Fullers reactive hot melt to seal the IGU, which has superior adhesion to glass, high moisture protection and gas retention
- strong material (0.90 wall thickness frame & sash) capable of accommodating triple pane glass weight
- closed back frame ( #300 & #750 series) gives incredible strength to overall window frame and makes installation more foregiving (ease of installation) and can hold the added weight of triple pane glass
- large range of glass options to suit any climatic condition or region
- ability to directional tune the glazing to suit various climatic conditions, thus maximizing in home comfort while saving in utility costs
- compression sealing casements & awning uses triple weather strip (2 santorprene gaskets on main frame maximizes memory of material and holds up to extreme heat or extreme cold, pile fin on sash which allows water to wick to the outside and not get caught between sash and frame)
- broad range of exterior attachment options to suit differing construction methods
- broad range of interior options to suit differing construction wall depths
- real stainable oak or maple veneer on certain product lines
- utilizes fiberglass glass stop on #300 series fixed window (most others use PVC which weak and fades rapidly)
- utilizes fiberglass mull strip (connector) for multi lite combination windows (most others use PVC which is weak and fades rapidly)
- offers architectural shapes (both segmented fiberglass and true curve composite, designed to connect to fiberglass products)
- independently tested for AAMA/NAFS (air, wind, structural) and NFRC (thermal performance), which exceeds Residential Standards.
- Energy Star product (except for # 200 series entrance door)
- fiberglass is the most stable material across extreme temperature ranges
- expands and contracts similar to float glass thus ensuring long life of sealed unit glass
- lifetime warranty of fiberglass frame & sash (transferrable warranty), 20 years on sealed unit glass
- coastal hardware package available
- termite resistant, impervious to moisture
- not affected by extreme heat or cold conditions
- Truth hardware components
- maintenance free product
- Ability to hold a paint finish is superior (custom colors available)
- lowest embodied energy to produce products (low carbon footprint)
- base material is made from silica (sand) and considered a non-depleting resource
- used in LEED certified jobs
- most environmentally friendly material for windows
- low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint utilized, rated for AAMA 625-10 paint warranty.
- one of the pioneering fiberglass window company opened in 1990
- core group of assembly line workers employed since 1993 (they really know the products and the nuances of the material)
- packaging and skidding second to none (ship across North America every day)
Wood windows –
- only warranted for 10 years (average life span of wood window)
- swells in humid climates (trouble with smooth operation of products)
- very soft material (poor screw retention, hardware comes loose over time)
- cannot offer triple pane glass (frame and sash are not strong enough)
- maintenance required (painting or staining) every few years
- highly susceptible to moisture damage (especially between exterior cladding and wood members)
- cannot maintain long term air or water tight seal due to expanding and contracting of material
- highly susceptible to termite damage
- second generation lumber not as dense as first generation lumber (weaker product)
- contributes to massive de-forestation
- high embodied energy to produce wood windows
- large carbon footprint on the environment (trucking from forests to lumber mill to final fabrication facilities to distribution facilities)
- wood is often treated with toxic chemicals (termite resistant wood)
- some manufacturers use roll form aluminum clad (dents easily and expands to allow water pe*******on)
Vinyl windows –
- prorated warranty
- soft material which expands and contracts easily (loose air and water tight seal over time) and tends to loose original shape often breaking away from caulking beads thus allowing water pe*******on into wall cavity
- highly susceptible to UV damage (fading, yellowing, chalking, degrades, turns brittle, cracks) see old pvc outdoor furniture
- cannot offer triple pane (unless reinforced with steel thus loosing thermal properties) due to weight constraints
- susceptible to seal failure due to expanding of material which adds pressure on the sealed unit glass
- vinyl extrusion often contains dioxins, chlorine, vinyl chlorine monomers, and other carcinogens which have been documented to cause certain cancers and are extremely harmful to the environment
- does not tend to hold paint very well (long term adhesion is a challenge)
- cannot do dark colors in hot climates (no warranty)
- soft material of vinyl is challenging to install and takes longer
