New Replacement Windows

Building a Greener and Brighter Future

How does Fiberglass Stack up when it comes to windows.

There have been many exciting new technologies for fiberglass in the manufacture of new and replacement windows. Fiberglass was once thought of as a substandard or second choice material when it related to the manufacture of windows which most certainly is not true anymore. Stepping up to the top tier in the desirable material to use for windows, fiberglass has become a sought after window replacement as well as a new construction staple.

A new process called pulltrusion has made fiberglass a front runner in window material options. In the pultrusion process, continuous fibers that are woven together in a reinforced fashion then drawn through a new type of resin to coat each fiber with the new and innovative Thermotech resin mixture. This new resin formula is what gives the new fiberglass its wonderful new properties. Once the fibers are well coated with the resin they are assembled by a forming guide and then drawn through a heated die. Curing of the thermosetting resin is activated by heat in the die and catalyst in the resin mix. Unlike aluminum or PVC this process actually draws the material through the die rather than pushes it through, helping to bring the fibers into a tighter more uniformed material which is cut to length as it leaves the die. It is then ready for use without further forming or treatment.

This new material formed from the pultrusion process has many advantages that don’t exist in other types of fiberglass. Pultruded fiberglass is stable under the most demanding climate conditions, meaning that it does not warp, sag, bend become brittle or rot. The material is very dense and does not easily absorb moisture, or transfer heat or cold, so it maintains its shape and size, where other materials may vary more from the effects of expansion and contraction causing windows to encounter problems when opening and or closing.

Most of the major manufactures have added Fiberglass windows to their lines of production because they see this new fiberglass material as a very sound investment in the future of their window businesses. One manufacture was quoted as saying that if quality pultrueded windows are properly installed, and maintained, they could well be the last windows the structure will ever need during its serviceable lifetime.

Most manufactures offer fiberglass windows in a variety of styles and finishes including wood and metal clad fiberglass windows. There are however some concerns about fiberglass windows that you should be aware of. Because they are so dense there is a weight issue with fiberglass, at least with pultrueded fiberglass. With larger windows, in a replacement situation, extra support may need to be added to the underside framing to support the extra weight of the window.

The other concern might be the price. Because of the expense in the manufacture process and the actual quality and expected longevity of the windows, manufactures tend to attach hefty price tags to pultruded windows whether they are clad with other materials or simply the fiberglass.

So the bottom line on Fiberglass windows is that they are a top quality replacement and a prime choice for new construction that may outlast the home or building itself. If durability, quality energy saving and just plain good looks is what you are after, fiberglass windows may be exactly what you are looking for.