Advantages of Fiberglass in Residential Windows and Patio Doors

Advantages of Fiberglass Framing Systems

Fiberglass is a composite structural material that consists of fiber reinforcements (typically glass) that are bound together in a resin matrix. Fiberglass has a high strength-to-weight ratio, resists warping and is resistant to corrosion from chemicals or salt air. It insulates from heat, cold and electricity, works well in temperatures from -40 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and can cost-effectively be made into complex shapes.

Material Comparison

	Fiberglass	Aluminum	Wood
Life expectancy	80+ years without any maintenance.	20+ years. If exposed to a corrosive environment such as coastal environments and acidic rain, then they can last as little as 10 years	15+ years if properly maintained, sanded, sealed and refinished every year. If not properly maintained, they can last a little as 10 years.
Insulating properties	Superior insulator Comfortable to the touch even in coldest temperatures Naturally non-conductive	Extremely poor insulator if there is no thermal break. If there is a thermal break then it is a moderate insulator	Excellent insulator Naturally non conductive
Weather Resistance	Extremely resistant to weather. Completely resistant to all extreme climates	Moderate to poor weather resistance. Prone to deterioration and corrosion in coastal settings and with acid rain	Moderate weather resistance that deteriorates with time. Prone to water damage, swelling and rotting
Lifetime Maintenance	Maintenance free, a light wipe down is all that is needed. Take paint easily so you’re not stuck with the same color for years.	Needs to be checked every season for paint chips, flakes and dents to prevent rusting. Does not take paint well and requires multiple steps.	Requires semiannual inspection and refinishing of exterior for the lifetime of the window. Paint prone to fading, chipping and flaking must be sanded, primed and painted in order to maintain the integrity of the window.
Impact Resistance	Distributes impact load to prevent surface damage even in sub-zero temperatures. Will not permanently deform under impact.	Easily deforms under impact.	Permanently deforms or breaks under impact.
Cost	Initial higher cost but lower maintenance, and longer product life equates into lower overall cost.	Low cost but material susceptibility to impact damage and corrosive environments and short lifecycle increase long term cost of material to moderate/high.	Moderate to high initial cost but maintenance and short life expectancy drive up long term cost.

Fiberglass

Aluminum

Wood

Life expectancy

80+ years without any maintenance.

20+ years. If exposed to a corrosive environment such as coastal environments and acidic rain, then they can last as little as 10 years

15+ years if properly maintained, sanded, sealed and refinished every year. If not properly maintained, they can last a little as 10 years.

Insulating properties

Superior insulator Comfortable to the touch even in coldest temperatures
Naturally non-conductive

Extremely poor insulator if there is no thermal break. If there is a thermal break then it is a moderate insulator

Excellent insulator
Naturally non conductive

Weather Resistance

Extremely resistant to weather. Completely resistant to all extreme climates

Moderate to poor weather resistance. Prone to deterioration and corrosion in coastal settings and with acid rain

Moderate weather resistance that deteriorates with time. Prone to water damage, swelling and rotting

Lifetime Maintenance

Maintenance free, a light wipe down is all that is needed. Take paint easily so you’re not stuck with the same color for years.

Needs to be checked every season for paint chips, flakes and dents to prevent rusting. Does not take paint well and requires multiple steps.

Requires semiannual inspection and refinishing of exterior for the lifetime of the window. Paint prone to fading, chipping and flaking must be sanded, primed and painted in order to maintain the integrity of the window.

Impact Resistance

Distributes impact load to prevent surface damage even in sub-zero temperatures. Will not permanently deform under impact.

Easily deforms under impact.

Permanently deforms or breaks under impact.

Cost

Initial higher cost but lower maintenance, and longer product life equates into lower overall cost.

Low cost but material susceptibility to impact damage and corrosive environments and short lifecycle increase long term cost of material to moderate/high.

Moderate to high initial cost but maintenance and short life expectancy drive up long term cost.

Unique properties of fiberglass:

Dimensional stability with a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to glass

Low thermal conductivity

Low environmental impact – made of readily available silica sand

Rot and corrosion resistant

High strength-to-weight ratio and resists warping

Chemically inert

Easily paintable and re-paintable with minimum preparation

Benefits of SeriousWindows Fiberglass Windows

The fiberglass framing system of SeriousWindows are dimensionally stable having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which maintains seal integrity and minimizes warping or leakage in high inside and outside temperature differentials.

Performs well in humidity extremes and hot and cold environments.

High condensation resistance helps keep humidity within a proper range and limits the growth of molds and mildew.

Very low coefficient of thermal expansion and contraction (CTE).

Stresses on seals, caulks and joints are minimized, contributing to higher efficiency windows.

Tight seals maintain the resistance to air leakage and water penetration.

Practically maintenance free.

Takes paint easily with excellent adhesion.

Dimensional stability with extreme thermal cycling.

Superior strength to weight ratio ideal for large window opening.

The table below compares the insulation value all of the various window framing materials without glass. Fiberglass frames offer the highest thermal insulation of all frame materials on the market and the longest life.

U-Factor Comparison of Frame Materials

Frame Material	U-Factor
Aluminum (no thermal break)	1.9-2.2
Aluminum (with thermal break)	1.0
Aluminum-clad wood/reinforced vinyl	0.4-0.6
Wood and vinyl	0.3 - 0.5
Fiberglass	0.2 - 0.3

Frame Material

U-Factor

Aluminum (no thermal break)

1.9-2.2

Aluminum (with thermal break)

1.0

Aluminum-clad wood/reinforced vinyl

0.4-0.6

Wood and vinyl

0.3 - 0.5

Fiberglass

0.2 - 0.3