Not All Window Materials Are Created Equal

The non-glass parts of a window can be made from a different variety of materials. Most windows are made of the traditional wood, aluminum and vinyl. Each of these materials has its own benefits, as well as downfalls.

Here at Renewal by Andersen, we have created our own material that we use for our windows that we are extremely proud of. It is a material we call, Fibrex.What is Fibrex?Fibrex is a blend of 40% wood fiber and 60% thermoplastic polymer that was created in 1992 by Renewal by Andersen scientists, after decade’s worth of research and testing. Not only is it a blend of materials, but it is a blend of recycled materials. The wood fiber in Fibrex is reclaimed material from the Andersen manufacturing process, the thermoplastic polymer is recycled from other processes and even already made Fibrex that is not sent out to customers is recycled to make more Fibrex.What Makes Fibrex the Better Window Material?Fibrex has a number of benefits over other window materials, including:

• Fibrex never has to be repainted or scraped
• Fibrex doesn’t decay, rot, or grow mold.
• Fibrex is much stronger than materials like vinyl and fiberglass
• Because of its strength windows made from Fibrex are narrower and allow for more glass to be present in the window
• Fibrex also does not conduct heat
• Fibrex has excellent insulating properties to keep the warm air in your home in the winter and the cool air in during the summer.

Fibrex is Also Environmentally FriendlyFibrex is a recycled product making it an environmentally friendly product right from the start. But it also helps the environment because there are no wood preservatives treatments or painting required for a Fibrex frame, so Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions are reduced. These emissions are harmful to both humans and plants when the concentrations are high enough.The insulating properties of Fibrex also help your home cut its energy usage to maintain a comfortable interior. With less energy being needed to regulate the temperature inside a home, fewer of our natural resources are being used to create energy for that home.For more information on Fibrex and our other great window products, contact us today!