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Due to the widespread availability and commodity nature of vinyl windows, most people believe are unaware that there are other choices for their replacement windows on Long Island, NY.
As your local Long Island Renewal by Andersen replacement window and door specialists, we want you to have all the information you need to choose the right windows for your home. Part of your decision will include selecting window frame material for your new windows. This article will help you explore the differences in our patented Fibrex composite window frames and the vinyl window frames sold by most other replacement window companies.
Both vinyl, which is a type of plastic, and Fibrex, which is a composite material made from polymer plastics and recycled wood, are light weight and easily manufactured in a variety of colors and shapes. One difference you see immediately is that the wood component in our composite material make it possible to get real, rich, wood tones with stains during the manufacturing process. There is a real contrast to the wood tones available in Fibrex that are simply not possible with painted or applied plastic films on vinyl windows. Fibrex provides you with much more variety and decorating versatility in a durable, low-maintenance package that looks and performs beautifully for years.
Vinyl replacement windows tend to have thicker, wider frames to accommodate for the weaker and more flexible nature of the plastic construction. Becvause Fibrex frames are substantially stronger than vinyl they can be manufactured with much narrower frames to maximize your views of the outdoors and the natural light that can enter your home.
Fibrex gives you the best of both worlds: the strength and stability of wood with the low-maintenance and rot resistance of vinyl. The stable wood component of Fibrex provides it with strength vinyl simply cannot match. To compensate, vinyl window frames are often thicker, reducing the amount of transparent glass in your windows. Not only does the wood portion of Fibrex provide strength and rigidity, it is also very stable and doesn’t have the extreme expansion and contraction characteristics that limit vinyl’s stability. Fibrex windows are both strong AND stable.
Although both framing materials will give you low-maintenance benefits that include scratch resistant surfaces that don’t mold and mildew in humid climates, Fibrex replacement windows won’t warp, bow or bend in response to extreme temperature variances like vinyl can. This material stability provides increased durability and extends the effective life of Fibrex far beyond its vinyl counterparts.
Fibrex has a very low thermal expansion rating that closely corresponds to your home’s other structural materials. Because of this, composite windows of Fibrex will not shrink and pull away from the structural components of your home nor expand and bow and twist when restricted by the framing.
Fibrex’s low coefficient of thermal expansion is the reason that Renewal by Andersen replacement windows perform as consistently well in your Long Island home where the winters can be brutally cold and the summer scorchingly heat. This inherent material stability prevents cracks and gaps that can lead to air and water leaks and condensation build up on and around the glass.
Another advantage to patented Fibrex window frames is the economy of the manufacturing process. Andersen Windows, our parent company, created Fibrex as part of the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and sound economics. Because these composite windows are manufactured using wood reclaimed from other product lines, fewer trees are harvested and less waste is deposited in landfills. The company also saves time and money spent on transportation and acquisition costs for building supplies. In fact, Andersen is the only company within the industry to receive the Green Seal of approval for environmental protection and manufacturing processes.
Fibrex’s extremely low heat transfer rating means the window frames are more efficient than others, keeping your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer and saving you money on your heating and cooling bills year-round.
We know you have a choice when it comes to buying replacement windows and doors for your Long Island home. At Renewal by Andersen, we want to help you make the most informed choices so you are 100 percent satisfied with the results after the installation.
Give Renewal by Andersen of Long Island a call at (866) 609-5033 or enter your information in the form on this page and one of our friendly design consultant’s will be happy to answer your questions about your replacement windows and patio doors and provide a fee design consultation for you in your home. Remember to ask about our warranty for Fibrex replacement windows.
Check out these posts for more information on replacement window frames.