Wood is a fundamental building material found in most structures. It’s been used for hundreds of years in homes and other structures because it’s readily available, very strong and long-lasting. However, wood has always had some weaknesses. Specifically, wood is easily compromised through prolonged exposure to moisture.
Composite wood is the modern solution to this problem. Composite wood has many benefits that natural wood does not. As a consumer shopping for new windows, it’s helpful and important to understand what composite wood is, why it is useful and how it is maintained.
Composite “wood” is made up of a combination of different materials, depending on the manufacturer and the purpose of the material. Renewal by Andersen’s composite material, called Fibrex, is made from a combination of reclaimed wood fiber and thermoplastic polymer.
Fibrex is the preferred material of Renewal by Andersen of Long Island for many reasons. All Renewal by Andersen windows are made from Fibrex material. Below, we’ve listed the concrete benefits of Fibrex. Here’s what you need to know.
Whereas natural wood can be damaged by regular exposure to moisture, Fibrex is not. This is because the reclaimed wood in Fibrex is mixed with a weather resistant thermoplastic material. Fibrex material has double the strength of common vinyl windows and it will not crack, pit, corrode or rot. You can find more information about this in Renewal by Andersen Products and Installation Transferable Limited Warranty.
To remain weather resistant, natural wood must be coated in a material like paint or another weather resistant sealing material. The seal or paint applied to wood eventually wears off, so it must be repainted or resealed periodically. Many homeowners repaint or reseal their windows every five years or so. Fibrex does not need this kind of care. Unlike natural wood, it never needs to be painted, sealed, finished or refinished. You can install your windows and essentially forget about them, although we recommend that you clean them periodically. When Renewal by Andersen products were tested against the leading competitors’ painted vinyl window products, Fibrex material was found to be 12 times thicker and have superior scratch resistance,
Because Fibrex is made from a combination of long-lasting materials like wood encased in plastic, it’s the kind of material that you can count on for decades. Renewal by Andersen uses only the best materials, so they last longer and continue to look their best for years after installation. Fibrex material endures extreme heat.
Fibrex material is made from wood, so it looks like wood – and that’s by design. Wood has strength and beauty like no other building material. We’ve designed Fibrex to resemble wood so that you can enjoy this classic aesthetic without the regular maintenance headaches.
Renewal by Andersen of Long Island’s replacement windows are made from Fibrex and energy efficient, Low-E4 glazing. To find out more about how our replacement windows can improve the value of your home, contact Renewal by Andersen of Long Island at (866) 609-5033 to make an appointment or fill out the short form on this page and we’ll get right back to you.
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