If you’re planning to replace the windows in your house, you’re probably spending much of your free time researching window materials, right?Installing the right windows is among the most important home improvement projects one can ever make. Windows are responsible for the comfort inside your house, lowering your energy bills, as well as insulating and protecting the interior of your home from exterior damaging elements.Well, if you’re navigating the window material market, you’ve probably stumbled upon the Fibrex vs vinyl debate. So, which one’s better? We’ve laid out everything you need to know about both! Keep reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Key Takeaways
- Fibrex windows combine the durability and insulation of wood fiber with the maintenance ease of thermoplastic polymer. They have a higher durability and a lower thermal expansion rate than vinyl windows.
- Vinyl windows are cost-effective and low-maintenance, with excellent insulation properties and market availability, but they have a shorter lifespan than Fibrex windows in extreme climates.
- Vinyl windows can be reinforced with other materials like stainless steel and aluminum. like Magic did with the Hybrid Fusion Frame. This improves their strength, durability, and efficiency.
- While both Fibrex and vinyl windows have pros and cons regarding durability, energy efficiency, and customization options, consumer choice often depends on individual budget, environmental awareness, and long-term value considerations.
Understanding Fibrex Windows
Fibrex windows are a testament to innovation in the window industry, offering a unique blend of durability and energy efficiency.Fibrex is a composite material made of 40% reclaimed wood fibers and 60% partially reclaimed thermoplastic polymer.If you’re wondering what reclaimedmaterials are, we’re happy to help. This term means that the materials used for Fibrex windows are reused in the same form for a new purpose. This is an advantage from an environmental point of view but also a disadvantage as recycled materials will never perform as good as virgin materials.
Benefits of Choosing Fibrex Windows
Opting for Fibrex windows offers several benefits:
- Investment in both the structural integrity of your home and its energy efficiency.
- Fibrex windows maintain color and resist fading, flaking, and peeling, ensuring long-lasting aesthetic appeal and structural performance.
- Excellent insulation is ensured by the thermal qualities of the Fibrex material; Fibrex windows are roughly on the same level as vinyl windows in this regard and highly superior to aluminum windows.
- The Fibrex composite material is resistant to moisture and heat, withstanding temperatures of more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fibrex’s Eco-Friendly Advantage
As mentioned earlier, Fibrex windows are made mostly of reclaimed materials. This reduces the need for new resources and supports sustainable building practices.The Fibrex material is created by using wood fibers from other manufacturing processes, which highlights a commitment to responsible production. By installing Fibrex windows, you can contribute to global environmental efforts. At the same time, you can enjoy the benefits of their strength and durability.Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning that Fibrex windows aren’t ENERGY STAR® Canada rated.
Diving Into Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows have long been a staple in the realm of affordable home improvement, offering homeowners a balance of cost-effectiveness and performance. With a reputation for thermal efficiency, low maintenance, and durability, vinyl windows are quite popular among those looking to upgrade their homes without breaking the bank.These particular windows consist of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a construction-grade material. In turn, it consists of essential raw materials derived from salt and oil. Window frames made from vinyl are also equipped with ultraviolet light (UV) stabilizers. They protect the material from breaking down under direct sunlight.
Why Vinyl is a Go-To Material
The appeal of windows with a vinyl frame lies in their combination of affordability, energy performance, and low maintenance. Although cheaper than other options, vinyl is nonetheless durable and makes for an excellent insulating window frame material. The fact that vinyl windows are easy to maintain, requiring just a simple wash with soap and water, only adds to their advantages.Vinyl windows are resistant to heat, moisture, and UV rays. This prevents common problems like rotting and warping. With recent technological advancements and revolutionary ways to improve quality and durability, vinyl windows can be an excellent choice for any house. However, it’s worth considering that extremely low or high temperatures may shorten the lifespan of vinyl windows.
Vinyl’s Eco-Friendliness
Although vinyl windows are rarely made from recycled materials, PVC is, in itself, recyclable. This improves vinyl’s eco-friendly coefficient. Its recyclable quality reduces the amount of waste going into landfills. In addition, the high energy efficiency of vinyl windows further contributes to environmental efforts.
Head-to-Head: Fibrex vs Vinyl Windows Comparison
Both Fibrex and vinyl windows are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling. They are also easy to clean. So, how can we decide which one suits our house best? Let’s consider all the details before making a decision.
Durability
Although both vinyl and Fibrex are praised for their longevity, Fibrex windows are probably on top as they’re known to have twice the strength of vinyl windows.In the context of durability, we must also discuss thermal expansion. This term refers to the tendency of a material to change its shape, area, density, and volume in response to changing temperatures. The lower the thermal expansion coefficient, the better.The Fibrex material has a thermal expansion coefficient of 1.57, while that of vinyl is 3.42. This means that vinyl is much more prone to cracking over time, especially in regions with extremely low and high temperatures.However, vinyl can be reinforced with other materials that improve its durability and strength. Magic has developed the Hybrid Fusion Frame design, which consists of a stainless steel and anodized aluminum skeleton wrapped in vinyl (U-PVC). The anodized aluminum makes our frames durable and corrosion-resistant, the stainless steel significantly improves their strength, while U-PVC is responsible for the frame’s efficiency and high-performance.This combination makes the Hybrid Fusion Frame significantly stronger and more durable than Fibrex frames. It is a better option especially for those living in regions with extreme temperatures since our metal reinforced vinyl windows are much more resilient than Fibrex against the elements. No wonder Magic offers a 40-year warranty, twice the warranty of Fibrex windows!
Lifespan
A window’s durability takes us to its lifespan, right? Establishing how much a window will be able to perform at its best is extremely important.A Fibrex window has a 20-year warranty on glass and ten years on non-glass parts.The average life expectancy of vinyl is roughly 20 years. However, some companies sell much stronger vinyl frames that last longer than standard vinyl windows. Magic offers homeowners the possibility to buy the Hybrid Fusion Frame made from vinyl that is reinforced with aluminum and galvanized steel. These reinforced vinyl windows make the frame stronger and incredibly durable, reaching a lifespan of 40 years.
Insulation properties
When discussing the insulation properties of a window, we also need to mention thermal conductivity.The thermal conductivity of a material measures how capable it is to conduct heat, meaning how easily heat and cold penetrate and move through the material. Window frames made of a material with low thermal conductivity have better insulation properties.The thermal conductivity of vinyl is slightly lower than the thermal conductivity of Fibrex and 700 times better than that of aluminum windows.
Cost and Energy Efficiency
Without a doubt, Fibrex windows are more expensive than vinyl ones. This may be a disadvantage if you have a low budget. Nonetheless, if you think your house will benefit more from Fibrex windows, do not let their price stop you from purchasing them. In the long run, the initial higher cost will justify itself.Do not let the lower price of vinyl frames hinder you from choosing them either! At first thought, one would say a vinyl window is cheaper and, therefore, worse than, let’s say, wood windows. However, they are less expensive due to ease of production and raw material costs rather than low quality.Both frames do their job well in terms of energy efficiency. What matters the most, however, is how many glass panes your windows will have, how many and what kind of Low-E coatings you’ll add, and whether you’ll equip your windows with warm edge window spacers. Your heating and cooling costs depend on the factors mentioned above.
Moisture Resistance and Maintenance
We’ve already established that both vinyl and Fibrex are resistant to moisture. But exactly how resistant is each? Luckily, you can exclude this detail from your pros and cons list – both frames are equally resistant to moisture as long as the windows are installed correctly.The same goes for maintenance – both Fibrex and vinyl frames are easy to clean and do not need to be repainted, unlike wood windows, for instance, which are quite high-maintenance.
Colors and Customization Options
Naturally, choosing the windows for your house doesn’t only imply focusing on durability, energy efficiency, and insulating properties. It’s also important to check whether they can be adjusted aesthetically to the design of your house.Vinyl and Fibrex windows are quite flexible in terms of colors and customization. Both come in light and darker shades and can be adjusted for various house styles. However, Fibrex window colors are more limited than those of vinyl windows. Some manufacturers like Magic offer homeowners the possibility to have their vinyl windows painted any color they want.However, there’s one thing to consider: Fibrex windows are extruded with thicker wall cavities than vinyl windows. This is exactly what gives them additional strength but limits the possibility of installing thin frames.Another thing you should pay attention to is the color. Both vinyl and Fibrex come in darker colors. However, vinyl isn’t as resistant to extremely high temperatures – black vinyl even more so. On the other hand, black Fibrex replacement windows or new construction windows will do just fine.Let’s not forget about the unique options available on the market that may eventually become the best choice. At Magic, we combine vinyl PVC with aluminum and galvanized steel – all three complementing each other and, therefore, yielding an improved window frame option.After all, steel is one of the strongest and most durable construction materials, significantly exceeding the durability of the Fibrex material, which consists of wood and thermoplastic polymer. By combining steel with aluminum and vinyl, we’ve created an exponentially better frame in terms of strength, durability, insulation, and energy-efficiency that will last 40+ years.In addition, our windows are constructed using a heated welding process, which results in tighter corner miters that strengthens the window and improves its energy-efficiency. On the other hand, mechanically fastened windows like Fibrex are held together by screws. This corner system will expand and contract at different rates than the frame itself, causing stress to the unit.
Fibrex and Vinyl Windows Comparison: Pros and Cons
In conclusion, Fibrex windows stand out among other windows due to superior durability, insulation, and eco-friendliness, but they come with a higher price tag. Vinyl windows, celebrated for their affordability and low maintenance are not as durable as Fibrex. However, if reinforced with other materials, vinyl is just as good as, if not better than, Fibrex.While both Fibrex and vinyl have advantages, the choice ultimately hinges on individual preferences, budgets, and long-term value considerations.
Fibrex Pros and Cons
To sum it up, we’ve prepared a list of pros and cons of Fibrex windows.Pros:
- Highly durable
- Lower thermal expansion, thus high resistance to extreme temperatures
- 20 years of lifespan
- Enhanced energy efficiency and insulation
- Resistant to fading, flaking, and peeling
- Resistant to mold
- Low-maintenance
- Higher compressive strength (thinner frames)
- Environmentally-friendly
Cons:
- More expensive
- Fibrex windows and materials are available exclusively from Renewal by Andersen, Andersen Corporation Replacement Window Division, or the Andersen 100 series line
- Installation may cost more
Vinyl Pros and Cons
Check out below the advantages and disadvantages of vinyl windows.Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Energy-efficient
- Eco-friendly
- Well-insulated
- Low-maintenance
- Slightly higher thermal conductivity
- Various colors, sizes, and finishes
- Can be reinforced with other materials, which significantly increases their lifespan
- Higher availability, as vinyl windows are manufactured by multiple entities
Cons:
- Not as durable, unless reinforced with other materials
- Susceptible to mold growth
- Shorter lifespan (20 years)
- Higher thermal expansion rate
- Lower compressive strength (thicker frames)
Expert Opinions and Industry Trends
The perspectives of window professionals and current market trends reflect a growing inclination towards eco-friendly products like Fibrex. Nonetheless, vinyl still holds a significant market share due to its affordability and low maintenance.While experts acknowledge the advantages of Fibrex windows and often recommend it as a better option, they also recognize the versatility of vinyl windows.The industry is evolving, with technological advancements and environmental consciousness shaping consumer preferences. As such, even though Fibrex windows are undoubtedly stronger and more durable, professionals are now using vinyl in unique compositions that reinforce its durability – a perfect example is our Hybrid Fusion Frame.
Summary
There are quite a lot of details to consider, aren’t there?! Even though vinyl isn’t as durable as Fibrex, it has many other advantages that one simply cannot ignore! After all, the choice comes down to your preferences, budget, and home needs.Either way, replacing your windows raises a myriad of questions. Magic is here to help you! Book a free consultation today and let us answer any questions you have about replacing windows and, of course, about our revolutionary vinyl frames reinforced with aluminum and stainless steel!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Fibrex windows last?
Fibrex windows last 20 years.
Is Fibrex worth the money?
Yes, Fibrex windows are worth the money due to their durability and strength against extreme temperature fluctuations, making them a reliable investment.
What are the disadvantages of Fibrex?
The disadvantages of Fibrex include its high cost compared to vinyl windows, as well as the fact that they’re exclusively manufactured by Andersen.
What is better Fibrex or vinyl?
Fibrex windows are superior to vinyl in terms of durability and environmental impact. Despite being more expensive initially, they offer long-term savings due to their extended lifespan. Nonetheless, vinyl windows have advantages as well, which is why the ultimate choice depends on your preferences, budget, and home needs.
Can vinyl windows be customized in color and finish after installation?
Theoretically, vinyl windows can be painted upon installation. However, professionals strongly advise against it because the surface isn’t ideal for that, and the paint will probably flake and peel quickly. In addition, painting windows after installation can result in a limited warranty.