Take a look at the material that surrounds the glass in your window. This material is known as your window sash, and it might be made from wood, aluminum, vinyl, or maybe even fiberglass. If you are thinking of replacing your windows, one decision you’ll need to make is the material you’ll choose for your new window sashes. Fibrex® is Renewal by Andersen’s proprietary window sash material. Here are five questions Cincinnati home owners often ask about Fibrex.
What is Fibrex Made From?
Fibrex is made from a combination of natural wood fibers and plastic, giving you a smooth, even texture, while being extremely durable and low-maintenance. Since the wood fibers are a waste product of other manufacturing processes, they are a reclaimed material, which makes Fibrex a sustainable choice. These wood fibers would otherwise be taken to a landfill, where they would take up space and take a long time to break down.
What Does Fibrex Look Like?
Fibrex can be finished to look like natural wood, or it can be colored to look like painted wood. Most people will not know the difference between wood and Fibrex window sashes unless they look and examine the sashes very closely. Fibrex is very strong, so sashes made from Fibrex can be made thinner than those made from wood or vinyl. This leaves more space for glass in the window. You can choose from several window sash styles to suit your home’s architectural style.
Is Fibrex Energy-Efficient?
These days, every Cincinnati home owner is concerned about energy efficiency. Energy-efficient products lower your bills, and they also reduce your carbon footprint. Here’s the good news: Fibrex is an excellent energy saver. It is a good insulator, which means not a lot of heat passes right through it. Fibrex window sashes also stay straight and tight against the window as they age, so you do not get as many air leaks and drafts as you do with wood window sashes.
Do You Have to Paint Fibrex?
If you’re tired of spending every summer painting your wood windows, then Fibrex is definitely a smart choice for your home. There’s no need to paint or scrape Fibrex windows. The plastic matrix completely surrounds the wood fibers, so they are protected from the elements without the need for paint. Imagine all of the time you’ll save on window maintenance.
Will Fibrex Rot or Mold?
No, Fibrex won’t rot or mold, even if you never paint it. It won’t attract termites, either. This makes it an excellent alternative to wood when you want a natural-looking, attractive window sash but don’t want to deal with rot a few years down the road. It also makes for a healthier home, since old, rotting windows and door frames can expose you to mold that leads to allergy symptoms, respiratory illness, and nausea. Fibrex’s resistance to mold and moisture makes it a great choice for the Cincinnati area, where springs tend to be wet and winters bring snowfall.
If the time has come to replace your windows, definitely consider choosing Fibrex. Schedule a free, in-home consultation with a representative from Renewal by Andersen. Our knowledgeable technicians can tell you more about Fibrex composite material and help you discover the windows that make your home look brilliant.
