One of the first things home owners do when considering home replacement windows is to walk the aisles at the local home improvement shop. There, they run into sharp looking displays featuring the finest wood replacement windows. Vinyl replacement windows and fiberglass replacement windows may also be on display — but, as the salesman will be sure to say, “If you want the best, you want wood.”
That brings us to the first question you have to ask: Best for who?
Certainly for the salesperson, who works on commission. Wood replacement window prices are consistently far higher than fiberglass replacement window prices or vinyl home replacement window prices. Pushing the higher priced product results in a larger paycheck for the sales staff — the best for them, but not necessarily for you.
Considering the price tag on wood replacement windows, the next question is: What do I get for that money?
Wood replacement windows do offer many benefits. First and foremost, they’re often very, very beautiful windows. They enhance the look of your home, and can add an air of elegance and warmth to any façade. Wood replacement windows often feature double or triple pane glass, insulating gas pockets, low e coatings, and other energy efficient features. This can help you save money on your heating and cooling bill. Wood replacement windows do all of these things and do them well.
This brings us to the next question: Could I get these same benefits anywhere else?
The answer is absolutely YES! Vinyl home replacement windows and fiberglass home replacement windows also feature double or triple pane glass. Insulating gas pockets, low e coatings and other energy saving features are present in both vinyl replacement windows and fiberglass replacement windows. Sturdy, quality construction means that the insulating value of the frames — especially on vinyl replacement windows — rivals that offered by wood replacement windows. Vinyl and fiberglass replacement windows are available in a wide variety of styles and finishes, offering an aesthetic assortment that far surpasses wood’s offerings.
So now we’re at the next question: How do the prices for vinyl home replacement windows compare to wood replacement window prices? How do the prices for fiberglass home replacement windows compare to wood replacement window prices?
This is an easy question to answer. There really is no comparison. Prices for wood replacement windows are consistently far, far higher than the prices for vinyl home replacement windows and fiberglass home replacement windows. Depending on region, vinyl replacement window prices and fiberglass replacement window prices are within a stone’s throw of each other, but both options are far more affordable than wood replacement windows. The difference, per window, is generally at least a hundred dollars, if not more. Multiply that by the number of windows needing replacement, and suddenly you’re looking at a very large total.
That brings us to our last question: If vinyl home replacement windows and fiberglass home replacement windows offer the same benefits as wood replacement windows, yet cost thousands of dollars less, why would anyone opt for anything else?
For that question, I’m afraid we have no answers!