Framing Material makes a difference
Renewal by Andersen window frames and sash are made from Andersen's Revolutionary Fibrex® material. Other replacement windows frames are often made from wood, vinyl, or aluminum. The window frame material affects energy efficiency. Three Important Questions to ask about framing material are:
1. Is the framing material a good insulator?
Fibrex material has excellent insulating properties on par with wood, or vinyl. Aluminum is a conductor and transfers heat out of your home and allows outdoor cold temperatures to chill the window areas inside. Fibrex material insulates about 700 times better than aluminum.
2. How resistant is the framing material to expanding and contracting with changes in temperature?
Fibrex material, like wood and aluminum, expands and contracts very little. Vinyl, however, expands and contracts a lot, which can cause cracks, bowing and leakage of air and water. Windows made of Fibrex material will perform better in winter and summer than windows made of vinyl.
3. Is the framing material stable and predictable enough to support the heavy glass it's holding up over time?
Fibrex material is twice as stable and rigid as vinyl. Wood's average stiffness is higher, but it is less predictable than Fibrex material because of wood's natural variations like grain, knots and moisture content. Strong, stable frames help keep glass from moving and reduce the risk of glass seal failure over time. Renewal by Andersen’s windows made with Fibrex material are warranted not to flake, rust, blister, peel, crack, pit or corrode.*
