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Resource Article
Six Reasons to Choose Composite Windows for Window Replacement
Replacing windows certainly adds to the value of a house, but it also impacts how you feel about your home. You want windows that can be customized to reflect your personal style. Windows that provide maximum comfort for your family. Windows that are made from high-quality materials that require little maintenance or upkeep on your part.
Composite windows are the only choice that checks all those boxes and more. Learn the top reasons composite windows are superior to other replacement window choices, and why they’re the best choice for you.
First Things First. What Are Composite Windows?
If you’re just beginning your research, it’s a good idea to know the basics about composite windows. First off, they’re not all the same. Composite windows can be made from a variety of different materials. They typically combine elements that complement one another to provide the benefits of each. Composite windows may be constructed from a combination of wood, wood veneer, polymer, fiberglass, aluminum, and vinyl — depending on the manufacturer.
What all composite windows have in common is strength, durability, and flexible design. They’re made to help protect your home from the elements outside, and stylish good looks within. Learn more about Fibrex® material, Renewal by Andersen’s exclusive composite made from reclaimed wood fiber blended with a polymer.
Top Benefits of Composite Windows
You can count on composite windows to last a long time
If you plan to be in your house for many years to come, composite windows may be the way to go. In our recent durability study, after 20 years, our windows are just as easy to open as the day we installed them.*Bonus! You won’t need to worry about time-consuming window maintenance either. Composite windows typically require much less upkeep than wooden windows that need to be painted, stained, or otherwise refreshed to maintain their performance and appearance.
Composite windows are less likely to expand, warp, crack, or contract than vinyl windows. Composites are constructed from a variety of materials — each with unique properties like strength and flexibility — allowing one material to offset any vulnerability in another. They maintain their stability in all climates, hot and cold, wet, or dry, and hold up no matter what Mother Nature has in store.
* Based on testing of 10 double-hung units per ASTM E2068 20 years after installation.
Composite windows are energy-efficient
If saving money on heating and cooling is top of mind for you, composite windows are an excellent choice. The thermal resistance of composite windows helps keep indoor temperatures stable and can reduce your home's heating and cooling expenses. When composite frames pair with low-E glass, these windows are great energy efficient options for your home.
According to Energy.gov, “…composites are very stable…they have the same or better structural and thermal properties as conventional wood, and they have better moisture and decay resistance.”
The window professionals at HGTV.com offer the following advice for choosing energy-efficient windows:
- Invest in replacement windows that have Low-E coatings on the window glass, which help keep heat in and deflect UV rays outside
- Choose casement or awning windows. Both styles offer a tight seal against the elements
- Consider windows with multiple panes of glass filled with argon or krypton gas and fitted with warm edge spacers
- Make sure that your replacement windows have high-quality weather-stripping
- Choose windows with low U-values (rate of heat transfer) for the best insulation
Be sure to look for the Energy Star® label when shopping for replacement windows to help narrow your choices and find windows that are best for your area and climate.
This window selection tool is another great resource to find the right windows for your unique needs.
Your design options are nearly endless with composite windows
Composite window manufacturers offer a dizzying array of window styles, colors, glass, and hardware. You’ll find everything from cutting-edge modern looks to graceful, classic designs and just the right windows to suit your home’s personality and your family’s lifestyle.Vinyl vs. Composite Windows: How Do They Compare?
Cost
Because window replacement can be a significant investment, many homeowners look primarily at price to decide which windows they’ll use. And when it comes to cost, vinyl windows are typically less expensive than composites. But looking at price alone can be short-sighted and may end up costing more in the long run.
Vinyl windows can be an affordable option for homeowners focused solely on the initial price. However, they could end up costing more in the long run. While your initial investment in vinyl windows may be cheaper than composites, vinyl windows frequently crack, warp, bend, or break, which may require more frequent replacement. If you consider your investment over time, composite windows are the clear winner when compared to vinyl windows.
Strength and durability
Composite windows demonstrate incredible strength and durability. For example, Fibrex® composite material is two times stronger than vinyl. Composite windows resist rot and can stand up to the most challenging weather including heat, humidity, and extreme cold. With most composite windows expected to last up to 20 years with minimal maintenance, composite windows are the clear winner for durability.
Insulation and energy efficiency
Composite windows, such as those made with Renewal by Andersen's Fibrex® material, offer excellent energy efficiency. This material is particularly effective at blocking thermal transfer, performing nearly 700 times better than aluminum. The thermal resistance of composite windows helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures and can significantly lower the costs associated with heating and cooling your home.
A Word About Aluminum Windows
In new construction, hot climates, and for homeowners desiring strong, sleek, shiny frames, aluminum windows are a solid choice. Some manufacturers offer aluminum windows in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and other customizations, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Composite windows are typically less expensive than aluminum and more energy efficient. Depending on your climate, the architecture of your home, and budget, both composite and aluminum windows can be excellent options.
Fibrex® Composite Material — The Essential Ingredient in Renewal by Andersen Replacement Windows
Fibrex® material is strong, allowing for narrower window frames and more glass in your windows. When combined with Andersen® High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass, Fibrex material® offers outstanding insulation against heat and cold.
Fibrex material® is low maintenance and can be made into any window shape — even curved and specialty windows — allowing you to maintain your home’s unique look and personality or to go in a completely new direction when you replace your windows.
Renewal by Andersen holds the highest SCS certified recycled content. Fibrex® completes our clean and high-quality manufactured materials.
Renewal by Andersen Signature Service: The Better Way to a Better Window®™
Requesting a consultation is the first step toward replacing dated, drafty, or damaged windows with composite windows designed to bring beauty, comfort, and increased value to your home.
Read about our Signature Service, then request a free consultation with one of our trained design specialists to get started.
Our Hassle-Free Process
Step 1
Design Consultation
Step 2
Measure and Manufacture
Step 3
Installation
Step 4