Fibrex vs Vinyl Windows

Vinyl is currently the most popular building material used in window construction, before that it was aluminum, and before that wood. All of these materials are still available and companies continue to innovate to offer durable and affordable products. Fibrex® is one of vinyl’s contemporary competitors. 

So what are they and how do they compare? Keep reading to learn what the differences are between Fibrex® and vinyl.

What is Fibrex®?

Fibrex® is a composite material made with a blend of wood and plastic fibers. Individually, wood and plastic (vinyl) are both popular building materials with many benefits, combined, these materials offer the best of both worlds. Fibrex® offers the strength, energy efficiency, and beauty of wood windows combined with the durability and low maintenance of vinyl.

Watch the video below to see how Andersen makes Fibrex®. In the video, you’ll see how the wood and plastic fibers bond together to create a durable and flexible material that can be extruded into various shapes. 

Check out: Andersen’s 100 Series Fibrex Specialty Shape Windows

What is vinyl?

Vinyl windows are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic that is durable, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance. The manufacturing process involves extruding PVC into window frames and sashes, often with internal reinforcements for added strength.

Vinyl is a great material option for windows because it is resistant to moisture, won't warp or rot, and provides excellent insulation, making it an economical, energy-efficient, and reliable choice for homeowners.

Comparing Fibrex and Vinyl Windows

Thermal Expansion

Building materials expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. If you live in a climate that experiences extreme temperatures and changes, less thermal expansion in windows is better. Less thermal expansion means the frame is less likely to bow and crack, it’s also more stable which means the seal around the glass is less likely to fail. The glass in your window is the most important component when it comes to energy efficiency – a weathertight seal keeps it at optimal performance. 

Which performs better? Fibrex®

Thermal Conductivity

To keep your home at a comfortable temperature it needs to be well insulated. Every element of your home’s envelope contributes to the insulation including your windows. Fibrex® and vinyl both have excellent built-in thermal qualities that reduce the thermal conductivity meaning less heat and cold are traveling through your windows. 

Which performs better? Vinyl®

Moisture Resistant

Water can cause a lot of damage to our homes, fortunately, vinyl and Fibrex® are both moisture-resistant meaning water won’t penetrate the material and rot (common in wood windows) will never be a problem. 

Which performs better? It’s a tie! 

Pros and cons of Fibrex windows

Pros:

1. Eco-friendly
2. Energy-efficient
3. Low-maintenance
4. Durable
5. Clean corners
6. Insulates 700x better than aluminum
7. Is twice as strong as vinyl

Cons:

1. More expensive than vinyl windows
2. Exclusive to Andersen

Pros and cons of vinyl windows

Pros:

1. Eco-friendly
2. Energy-efficient
3. Low-maintenance
4. Durable
5. Offers 3 times the heat insulation of aluminum windows
6. Priced lower than Fibrex®

Cons:

1.  Varying quality across brands

Read More: What Are the Pros & Cons of Vinyl Windows?

Fibrex vs Vinyl: Which is a better value and why?

What do we think?

Fibrex is a better material than vinyl. However, what you purchase is going to depend on your color choices, budget, and what’s available in your area. The Andersen 100 Series offers a great product but if it’s out of your budget, there are also lots of great vinyl window manufacturers making high-quality vinyl windows. 

Replacing the windows in your North Texas home? For a free consultation give us a call at 817-860-9767 or submit this form to have one of our representatives contact you to schedule an appointment.