There are a lot of things to consider when installing new windows in your home. Of course, you want them to become an integral decorative addition to the exterior of your home and look (and stay!) beautiful for years. However, another aspect of your windows you might not have thought about is whether or not they’re made with the environment in mind. More often than not, materials that are built with the environment in mind can also positively impact your energy costs. Here are four reasons why fiberglass is the ultimate material for windows:
1) Easily Customized Exterior
One of the most beloved things about fiberglass is how it can be customized to achieve just the right look and feel for your home. Many fiberglass windows come finished with a coat of exterior acrylic and can be complemented by a number of different colors. Colors may include white, sierra, bronze, brown and more. Additionally, fiberglass finishes are incredibly durable and won’t corrode, blister, or peel over time, nor will you ever have to re-paint. Just wipe down with a little warm water or a nonabrasive household cleaner from time to time, and your windows will sparkle just like they did when they were first installed.
2) Interior
Along with the beautiful easily customized exterior finishes, with fiberglass windows, you can also play around with the interior. When adding or replacing your current windows, you’ll want to make sure that not only are they right for your home and your wallet, but right for the style of your home as well. Consider something like Everwood, for instance. This unique composite looks just like real wood, but it’s a whole lot cheaper and more durable. Not only does it stain just like real wood, you’ll find that the color will always stay true and requires no further maintenance. Plus, you can choose whatever color paint or stain you’d like, so you can be sure that your windows match your interior perfectly.
3) 100% Recyclable
If you truly are eco-friendly or environmentally conscious, then fiberglass would be the way to go. In fact, fiberglass is one of the most sustainable window materials available. While superior looks and durability are certainly important, many different variations of fiberglass are recyclable. That means there’s no waste in production, and any excess material can be turned into something new.
4) Expends Less Energy to Produce
Fiberglass takes remarkably less energy to create than vinyl, and 80% less energy than aluminum. Why is this important? The less fuel and electricity used in production means there’s less pollution being put into the environment and less emission of greenhouse gases. Combined with our other efforts to recycle scrap materials, ship efficiently and conserve water in our plants, you can be glad that your fiberglass windows will help ensure you’ll always have a beautiful view.
Bio: Paul Kazlov is a “green” home remodeling enthusiast and an industry pioneer for innovation in home renovation. Paul writes for the Marvin Windows NJ blog and strives to educate people about “green” products such as fiberglass windows. Follow him on Twitter @PaulKazlov.