Fibrex vs Vinyl Windows
When it comes to fibrex vs vinyl windows, there are a number of factors to consider. First off, let’s discuss what these materials are. Fibrex is the name of the frame material used by Renewal by Andersen and the Anderson 100 composite series. Essentially, fibrex is a composite window frame.
So what is a composite frame? Basically, any frame that's made from a combination of materials. In this case, fibrex is made from vinyl and wood. In terms of the wood, it is essentially wood shavings that are integrated into the vinyl extrusions to create a more durable and stronger window frame. How much stronger? I think this is a matter of debate. The fibrex people think it is three times stronger.
Review By John M. - Site Editor - Updated In January, 2024
Fibrex vs Vinyl Windowss
Vinyl is made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride -- this has been around for a long time. In terms of the fenestration industry, vinyl has been used to make windows for over three decades. When it first came out, there were some issues with the overall strength of the material. It was, however, strong in several areas in that it did not rot or mildew, and was a fairly strong material. There have been several advances in vinyl window manufacturing over the past decades, making it even more ideal for windows and doors.
The first advance was the transition from PVC to uPVC. UPVC differs from PVC in that it does not contain plasticizers, making it less flexible, stronger and more resilient - in a word, ideal for window frames.
Another advance over the past two decades, has been the addition of different materials to the vinyl in order to strengthen the final product.
In some sense, what happened in the vinyl window market is nearly identical to the Anderson corporation using wood to strengthen their window frames. More of less just a different name.
In essence, fibrex is a proprietary name that goes under the general heading of a composite window frame. Other manufacturers call their window frames engineered vinyl. Really there’s no difference between the two, although what is used in conjunction with that you PVC or vinyl is different. For instance, Anlin windows and doors uses small flecks of titanium to create a frame that is stronger than simply using straight uPVC.
Fibrex vs Vinyl Windows On Strength
So which is stronger? I would say that fibrex is the stronger material over a vinyl that has no other additives. And this is an important point because most top-tier vinyl manufactures have ways to create a stronger frame. So in these cases it’s unclear which is stronger material.
Let me be clear on one point; in the residential market, this is kind of a moot point, of which is stronger? Here’s the reason. any mid range for top tier vinyl window is plenty strong for 95% of all window openings. Windows are not loadbearing. Instead, they are placed inside of an opening in the wall that is surrounded on all four sides by wood frames. It is this wood that is bearing the load and not the window. Now I said 95% of the cases.
In the remaining 5% we might be talking about a very wide opening in which they cheaply made final window could bow overtime if it can’t support its own weight. This is where a good window wrap or installation team comes in quite handy. Anyone worth their salt would advise against two large in opening and one window. Instead, they would create two windows in that space in order to provide a long-term solution that wouldn’t end up causing big problems.
Last Word On Fibrex vs Vinyl Windows
When looking at fibrex vs vinyl, I think the thickness of the window wall or window frame is the more important issue that most manufacturers will have taken into account when they create their own frames I will say that fabrics is a very nice looking material and so in that regard I think it does went out over vinyl. However, when you look at the performance data of the renewal by Andersen or the Anderson 100 series both of which you if I mix Fiebrich friend, they can’t touch the top 30 vinyl windows in terms of performance data. So disregard the better overall window is going to be the window with the lower air, infiltration rating, lower, U-value, and better DP or design pressure.