What Makes Fiberglass Windows Energy Efficient?

There has been a tremendous increase in green building throughout the past decade and many Michigan homeowners wonder what they can do to make their homes more energy efficient. Choosing the right replacement windows for a new project or replacing older, worn windows with modern efficient ones can significantly cut your utility bills and reduce your household energy consumption. Here’s a look at what makes fiberglass windows a great choice for environmentally friendly building.

Why fiberglass?

Fiberglass windows are more durable and longer lasting than vinyl or wood-framed windows. This fact alone makes them a good environmental choice, as you won’t have to repair or replace them as often.

In addition, fiberglass windows are also super energy efficient. In contrast to traditional single or double pane windows, fiberglass windows typically have three or four glass panes. Between each of these layers is a small ¼-inch air space that acts as an insulating layer.

If adding extra panes of glass is the solution to higher efficiency windows, why do they need to be fiberglass windows? The answer is that fiberglass window frames are substantially stronger than their wood or vinyl counterparts.

As wood frames warp and aluminum frames shift, these changes cause minute strains that over time lead to increased air infiltration. If a draft develops, there is an increase in energy usage than can only be addressed by replacing the window.

Studies show that fiberglass window frames won’t warp like wood and won’t expand and shrink like an aluminum frame. Fiberglass windows are also an amazing eight times stronger than vinyl window frames. This extra durability is key to offering the stability needed for efficient multi-pane windows.

Benefits of fiberglass windows

The great news is that fiberglass windows don’t cost more than some wood, vinyl, or aluminum windows. In addition, installing them during your next home renovation project or new build will save you money through years of increased efficiency.

There is also an immediate environmental impact. Fiberglass windows require much less energy to produce than traditional panes, about 80 per cent less energy than aluminum windows and almost 40 per cent less than vinyl windows.

A tinted glass coating can be added to raise efficiency even further. Tints are often applied as part of an acrylic film designed to keep out harmful UV rays. UV rays can fade furniture and wood flooring over time, causing a home to look worn. Tints deflect heat to lower cooling bills. That being said, these coatings are very beneficial to Michigan homeowners.

A fiberglass window frame will hold its shape perfectly, reducing the risk of drafts developing over time. So, unless they are broken, they’ll always maintain the level of efficiency they had when first installed.

Building a new home or planning a renovation? If you want to find out more about environmental window options and the money you can save with energy efficient fiberglass windows follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.