If you are ever in the market for new windows in Richland, WA, replacement windows providers will offer you two standard options – Fiberglass or Vinyl. Choosing is one of the most conflicting decisions you will have to make on this project.

Here is a primer to help you decide.

Fiberglass has greater decorative flexibility

Deciding which material to go for comes down to the qualities that matter most to you. Fiberglass is the ideal choice if the ability to decorate as you wish is high up your priority list. Fiberglass frames are thinner than Vinyl, leaving extra glass room for natural light.

Fiberglass is also paintable, so you can get any color you want, including making it look like wood. Both of them come in a wide variety of colors, but you can’t paint vinyl.

Vinyl windows are cheaper

Price is always an important priority when it comes to replacement windows, especially if you are doing the entire house. In that regard, vinyl is better than fiberglass or wood. It is plastic (PVC), one of the cheapest materials on the planet.

Compared to wood, fiberglass is cheaper, and it might be worth the price if you are replacing 2-5 windows. But once you start talking double-digit numbers with a few large windows, vinyl is 10-30% less expensive.

Fiberglass conserves more energy

Vinyl made its name by being the cheapest energy-efficient material for replacement windows. However, it is still not as efficient as fiberglass. While vinyl accidentally became a window frame material, fiberglass was explicitly made for this purpose. It is a born insulator.

Generally speaking, it is about 15 percent better than vinyl at conserving energy. It is an excellent sound insulator too, thanks to its glass base.

Vinyl windows are DIY-friendly

It is always advisable to let a professional install your windows. If you want to save money on installation, vinyl is the better material to buy. Anyone who can use a tape measure, hammer, power drill, and utility knife can install vinyl windows.

Depending on the location and scope of your project, this could save you between $100-200 per window.

Also, you can’t buy fiberglass windows at any hardware store. You have to order it from a manufacturer. In contrast, pre-made vinyl windows are available to buy in standard sizes from any big-box store.

Fiberglass lasts longer

Both of them outlast wood, but fiberglass edges vinyl by about 20 years. A high-quality vinyl window typically lasts about 30 years. However, a fiberglass window will still look great on your home in 50.

The material is more resistant to prolonged extreme weather elements, preventing long-term warping and cracking. When vinyl starts breaking under pressure, it compromises the seal between the glass pane and window frame and reduces its insulation qualities.

These are a few of the important qualities that set fiberglass and vinyl replacement windows apart.

For additional questions, reach out to Perfection Glass. We provide and install replacement windows in Milton Freewater, OR. Our experienced experts are here to help you make the best decision for your home. Call us or visit our location today to get started.