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Best Windows for Canadian Climate:

Fiberglass Windows vs. Vinyl Windows


March,03, 2020


Homeowners and new construction planners alike will eventually be faced with a key decision when deciding on their new windows: are fibreglass or vinyl windows the better option for me, my home, or my new build? In Canada, the material used for new or replacements windows plays a crucial role in the comfort and enjoyment of a home. What colour options do each variety offer? Are fibreglass or vinyl windows more durable? Is one more difficult to maintain? These are common questions we’ve been asked, and we’re here to give you the resources to make an informed decision on your new windows. Find out the differences between fibreglass and vinyl windows below, and how these differences are increasingly important to consider for homes in Canada.


Colour Options

Good news: both vinyl and fibreglass windows come in a variety of colour options. Since your colour palette is not likely to be an issue, there are a few other differences to keep in mind when deciding between the two types of windows. The colour application process of each window is vastly different, and could play a determining role in your decision between the two varieties. fibreglass windows are painted after the extrusion process, which is why you are likely to see more colour options available for these windows. The colour on vinyl windows is co-extruded, which results in a more vibrant and durable colour finish. Extruded colours on vinyl windows will not peel or chip, unlike fiberglass windows. You may find more colour options with fibreglass windows, but if durability/longevity is a priority for you, this may come at the cost of those colour options.


Cost

The upfront costs of vinyl windows are significantly lower than fibreglass windows. Because of their tendency to age gracefully, vinyl windows increase the curb value of a home at a higher capacity than fibreglass windows. If you are worried about the return on your home investment, vinyl windows are easily your best bet; the lower price tag alongside the higher resale value of homes with vinyl replacement windows makes vinyl the clear winner in this regard.


Fibreglass VS Vinyl Windows: Best Windows for Canadian Climate page graphic
Strength, Durability, and Longevity

Vinyl and fiberglass are both more long lasting when compared to other traditional window materials, but which of the two is better? fibreglass windows are reinforced via glass fibers, which can add durability and strength to the window structure. However, fibreglass is not as well equipped for extreme weather conditions, which can make them a questionable choice in certain Canadian climates. In more moderate climates, a fibreglass window is likely to outlive it’s’ vinyl window counterpart by a few years, but a well built vinyl window can be equally as effective. Vinyl can withstand extreme frigid temperatures, and is not known to lose structural integrity due to cracking from extreme climates.

Maintenance

As previously mentioned, vinyl windows are coloured via extrusion, while fibreglass windows are painted post-installation. Because of this, fibreglass windows are prone to chipping and peeling, which require more on-going maintenance. Vinyl windows, on the other hand, cannot fade, peel, and chip. As such, vinyl windows are the more ideal option for homeowners and builders who prioritize practicality and low-stress maintenance.

Energy Efficiency

Both fibreglass and vinyl replacement and new windows have hollow cavities which can be filled with insulation. This feature is highly important in slowing the transmission of outside temperatures to inside the home, thus making them more energy efficient. Fibreglass windows have the reputation of being the more energy efficient option; this can be true when comparing fiberglass and vinyl windows of moderate quality. However, well made and high-quality vinyl windows are superior in terms of energy efficiency to fiberglass. The secret to buying high-quality and energy efficient vinyl windows? Make sure that they are Energy Star certified; a vinyl window with this distinction will easily outperform a fibreglass window with conserving energy and saving you the form of home heating and cooling costs.

What Is The Best Window For My Canadian Home?

Fibreglass and vinyl windows both offer a variety of benefits, which can make deciding between the two a daunting task.
Vinyl has rightfully earned a reputation for durability in tough climates, which makes them favorable in the potentially polarizing Canadian climate. The structural integrity of vinyl windows will not be compromised when put up to the test of Candian winters. Fibreglass, on the other hand, is more prone to lose structural integrity when faced with the same temperature extremes. This, combined with the low-maintenance nature of vinyl, lower upfront costs, and the increase in your ROI on your home or new build, makes the winner quite clear; vinyl is the best material for a Canadian home window.

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Local Toronto Photographer Ricardo Pineda captured Local Toronto Photographer Ricardo Pineda captured these stunning photos of #Toronto, providing a dystopian glimpse of a world without people. 
World without crowds: erie or beautiful? 
We think beautiful.
Beautiful because these empty streets are a sign of our collective humanity - looking out for each other. As Canadians we work together and take care by #stayinghome. 
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From all of us at Window City we thank all the frontline workers during #COVID-19. Thank you to all on the frontline, essential workers, those who are in the hospitals, not just the nurses and doctors but the volunteers, café workers and those who keep the hospitals clean.⠀
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Dear Valued Customers, In light of the Ontario Pr Dear Valued Customers, 
In light of the Ontario Premier’s classification of the Manufacturing and Production industry being an “essential service” in Ontario, we are taking the necessary steps to continue working effective Monday, April 6th, 2020 (8:00AM to 4:30PM). We will be opening our front office, sales order desk, customer service, and shipping/receiving departments with limited capacity. 
As the COVID-19 situation in our Province continues to unfold, the health and safety of our employees and customers will remain our top priority. 
We remain committed to serve you and would be pleased to address any concerns that you may have. 
Stay safe and healthy.

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Dear Valued Client, As business owners, we have a Dear Valued Client, 
As business owners, we have a civic responsibility to do our part in flattening the curve of COVID-19 with the goal to save lives and ultimately minimize the impact to society. 
As of 4:30PM today (March 24th), Window City will be temporarily shutting down our manufacturing operations for 14-days. 
We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update you accordingly. 
During this temporary shutdown, we ask that you please contact us by e-mail at info@windowcity.com. 
We will do our best to respond to all customer-related inquiries in a timely manner. 
We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.
Sincerely,
Window City Industries
If you’ve already counted the amount grains in a If you’ve already counted the amount grains in a bag of rice, here’s a fun brain game to try! There are six differences between these two pictures. Can you find them all?  Let us know! You can also visit our website with lot’s of great #window and #door articles  #windowcity #socialdistancing
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If you are at home for the next two weeks or longe If you are at home for the next two weeks or longer, we know that #socialdistancing can be tough. But there are so many things to keep us busy inside of our own homes. People are spring cleaning and organizing pantries. If you have sliding door now would be a good time to clean it up! Check out our youtube video for simple cleaning tips to keep your patio door germ free. #day4 #getorganized #removegerms
As the public health pandemic coronavirus (COVID-1 As the public health pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we have been carefully monitoring the progression of the virus and thoroughly following the advice of Canada’s public health authorities.  Window City is taking several precautionary measures rolled out by Health Officials to protect our staff, and our community by following their recommendations. At this time, we would like to inform you that we are operating during regular business hours. To our customers, Sales Representatives are available to be reached to via telephone and/or by email. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any inquiries, questions or assistance. Thank you for your business and your continued trust in our ability to serve you.  #windowcity #covid19update
Homeowners and new construction planners alike wil Homeowners and new construction planners alike will eventually be faced with a key decision when deciding on their new windows: are fibreglass or vinyl windows the better option for my home, or my new build? ⠀
Which window material is best for Canadian climate: Fiberglass or Vinyl? Find out on our latest blog instalment.⠀
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Fibreglass VS Vinyl Windows: Best Windows for Canadian Climate was last modified: January 18th, 2021 by Window City
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1 Comment

  1. Window installation Edmonton says:
    December 3, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    How do I know what type of glazing is right for a window?

     Reply

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Window City is the largest window and door manufacturer in Canada, boasting an over 400,000 sq.ft facility. Our warranties are bested by none. By offering custom made vinyl windows for any home, we are able to meet your needs without sacrificing quality of product. Let's work together to make your house, your dream home.
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