Choosing Windows : Fiberglass vs Vinyl

Vinyl is probably the most sold window in America, but is it the right choice? In this video I'll compare Vinyl to Fiberglass and tell you which I think is the better choice for your home.
Best, Matt Risinger
Risinger Homes in Austin TX

[bob_frazier]

Man, while I'm getting ready to build a new house in Oregon I just LOVE Matt's enthusiasm. This is priceless (to me) because he's so from the heart. Ok, Matt... fiberglass it is.

[jamescalifornia]

👌Fiberglass windows with _laminated glass_ ! Very good investment and improvement 😁

[PinwheelHomes]

I'm disagreeing with a few points, this comment is coming from a cold climate perspective though (Ontario and Quebec in Canada).

1.) Stability: That's because the profiles are underengineered. Have you ever seen a German vinyl window frame? Very different situation. Fibreglass is very unstable and brittle at low temperatures. This may not affect you in TX, but it certainly does here. This would also lead to paint pealing off during extremely cold temperatures.
2.) Finish: Corners: the examples you showed are terrible. They should look much cleaner. Also a weld will stay true longer than any kind of mechanical connection.
Finish: Painted vinyl? I didn't even know it existed, sounds like a silly idea. The ones we sell are finished with a UV foil.
3.) Expansion and contraction: Personally, I have not seen a vinyl window fail of that. Maybe I'm only looking at high end vinyl windows, and I don't even know that low end has a problem with that. Our vinyl windows in our house are 32 years old, and they are nowhere near as well designed as the modern ones. I'd say within the next few years they will have to be changed. Not for any of the reasons mentioned above though (they were manufactured locally, and the tolerances were brutal, also the glazing units are starting to lose their seal. I can change those easily, but I'll upgrade to triple pane windows anyways.) My final thought on expansion and contraction is that it is being used by the fibreglass industry to scare you away from vinyl windows. When a vinyl window is properly designed (i.e.: proper gaskets) it doesn't have any issues with it.
4.) Environmental record: vinyl is being recycled in Europe. You are not allowed to just toss it. It needs to be kept in a closed industrial loop. What about the resins on the fibre glass window? Are they any better than uPVC?
5.) I want to point out again that fibreglass becomes very brittle when it's cold.

I think this is not a battle that is going to play itself out anytime soon. Specifically, I'd like to see a break down of the environmental record of fibreglass windows.

Cheers, Hans

[sa]

Yeah I had 2 window salesmen out to my home around 12 years ago and they each only had one kind of window to show me, both vinyl. Both of them had very ugly, thick frames. I am so glad I passed them up. Was considering aluminum thermal break for a while, but after doing more research recently, fiberglass is looking very attractive.

[graemeroberts]

Thanks, Matt! Great information, but I also question the data behind fiberglass having the same coefficient of expansion as glass. We depend on you for a building science perspective that is evidence-based, and includes information for various climates and conditions, so its very important to investigate these issues thoroughly. You have a large base of enthusiastic viewers, including building professionals and homeowners, so it seems possible that you can use them proactively to collect evidence and opinions. Consulting manufacturers and distributors is important and fair, but their input must be carefully evaluated too. I am in awe of your success, and have great respect for your integrity, but I suspect that its time to grow your team around your building science commitment, by adding both scientific and practical building experience and expertise. Forgive my directness, but like many of your enthusiastic viewers I want you to succeed. We need you.

[billderinbaja]

Matt, have you ever seen Aluplas vinyl windows? Extrusions are made in Germany using Gen III vinyl which is super UV resistant. Every extrusion has a steel tube jacked inside which makes a very stiff section, as stiff as fiberglass. The wood-look Aluplas is very realistic, beautiful. Well worth you time to see.

[Taylorraeconstruction]

Great video. However, in my experience, we can't lump all vinyl windows together. The images you show of vinyl windows are probably the worst pics you could dig up. I have seen quite a wide variety of quality from vinyl window manufacturers and more recently have seen some very impressive products. I do also like Marvin fiberglass windows very much but unbiased reviews would be better.

[SongbirdSarah]

This guy is fucking passionate about windows man

[maciejfassa]

For reasonable window brand I suggest looking at Dako, cheap, new, good.

[AF-O]

Another terrific, educational video! Thank you for posting.

[ericanderson]

Integrity exterior finishes failed over and over again for me where I installed them here in Maine. They seemed perfect to me at first but I will not build with them again!
Plenty of photos to share for anyone interested. They do send a crew with 3 guys and truck and spray equipment up to fix them though after they fail. Great promo add though Matt..ha ha

[neilborkowicz]

Matt, Great videos, thanks. Could you give a little more relative cost information similar to your response below that fiberglass is +15% more than vinyl. So if vinyl is lowest and fiberglass is +15% - how much more is vinyl clad wood, aluminum clad wood, aluminum, wood?

[Steph-WFPB]

Very good and educational video, as always! As we are shopping for windows, we found it very difficult to get a good company. We asked a few companies in North Austin area, and none of them are using your technique (Flex wrap) to install the windows. So sad you only work through Architects.

[redline]

I really do enjoy watching your videos. However, I live in the north and is there someone that does the videos that you do but in my climate?

[vinylsidingwindows]

*Great Video* I don't agree with everything that was said but overall, you did a great job! 👍

[jeffbuchler]

You keep referring to Marvin Integrity which isn’t a fiberglass window. Marvin does a great job with their fiberglass Infinity window. You also didn’t mention that fiberglass windows are twice the price of vinyl and most people either can not afford them. Finally they are not as energy efficient as vinyl windows. I sold fiberglass windows for 7 years and have been in the industry for 30. 27 of those years I worked for the mfg.

[phishhead]

Everyone the guy is sponsored by Marvin - what do you expect him to say. Fiberglass is stronger than vinyl yes but vinyl is in 90% of homes but for a custom home over a certain value most architects and designers agree vinyl is out. Thats pretty much it. There is no perfect window. If fiberglass was all the rage and they were the absolute best material to manufacturer and make windows out of all companies would produce it. All windows have pros and cons and so does fiberglass

[shenoyglobal]

how does fiberglass react to salt on ocean side use?

[dallas]

I read somewhere that fiberglass gives out some type of odor that can make you breakout allergies. Anyone ever heard of this?

[ocdtechtalk]

What about aluminum vs fiberglass vs vinyl