Fiberglass Windows Are Getting Popular

Once regarded as a niche product with maybe a 2% share of total U.S. window sales, fiberglass windows have gained traction during the last few years. The most recent market report jointly released by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association shows fiberglass with a 3.2% market share, with 2.6% of remodeling/replacement. More contractors are installing them because more homeowners are asking for them.

“They’re looking for a product with longevity and durability,” says John Schmotzer, owner of Metropolitan Windows in Pittsburgh, whose company installed the units in Stoley’s house. The most reliable indication that fiberglass may have an even more prominent role in window replacement is the entrance of siding manufacturer James Hardie into the business. In April, the fiber-cement siding producer bought a fiberglass window extrusion plant.

Wood vs. Vinyl vs. Fiberglass

Two factors have helped push fiberglass windows out of the niche category and toward the mainstream: More manufacturers — including Marvin Windows  — offer fiberglass products, and more dealers – like Gravina’s Window Center of Littleton – are using them for window replacement.

Window Pro, a window replacement company in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, began carrying fiberglass windows in 2009. President Jake Zahnow says the company primarily competes for a demographic he describes as “upper-middle” and above. “Two-thirds of the time, they’re considering wood,” Zahnow notes. “The other third vinyl.” Generally, though, he adds, “those in the upper end tend to self-select themselves out of vinyl,” where the price is often the first consideration and where the cost may be half of what a fiberglass window would go for.

Bottom Line:

Replacement windows made out of fiberglass are rapidly becoming the go-to choice among homeowners and contractors alike. That's because fiberglass windows provide unparalleled energy efficiency, weather resistance, sustainability, and longevity advantages, unlike other materials like wood, vinyl, or aluminum. They are up to five times more thermally efficient than traditional replacement window materials, eight times stronger than vinyl replacement windows, and three times stronger than wood replacement windows. This makes them ideal for areas exposed to strong wind, rain, and freezing temperatures. So if you're looking for replacement windows that offer reliable protection from the elements without contributing to the environmental burden of landfills with extra waste, then fiberglass is the answer you've been looking for.