DunRite Windows & Doors installs Andersen®, Pella® and Milgard® fiberglass windows, and they’re absolutely the best window option for Scottsdale and Phoenix area homes. They’re the strongest material, with thin frames that shows the most possible amount of glass. Depending on the product and the options you select, they can also be exceptionally energy efficient… the best choice for intense heat. They also expand and contract less than most other materials, and require no maintenance.

So why are they less popular than other options? The amount of labor it takes to manufacture a fiberglass window is more intensive than other window frame materials, and the source materials are also a bit more costly, leading to a product that can be pricey. In our opinion, thought? They are worth every penny. We particularly install quite a bit of Pella Impervia® fiberglass windows, which is one of our favorite products.

Yes, fiberglass windows are better than vinyl windows. They are stronger, they last longer, they have thin profiles (similar to aluminum windows, but far more energy efficient) that many homeowners appreciate, and they are the most energy efficient option available, especially in extreme climates. They handle heat exceptionally well.

They aren’t suited to all budgets, though, as they are considerably more expensive than vinyl. If it’s out of range for your budget, Andersen Fibrex is the second most energy efficient window option, followed by vinyl. Aluminum and wood are last.

All of that being said, fiberglass is ideal for those who prefer to invest in the best, but it’s important to note that vinyl is our #1 most popular product, both here in the Phoenix metro area and nationwide. It provides a long lasting, durable product at a very attractive price point. Good quality vinyl is an excellent choice.

Some brands of fiberglass windows can have the frames painted, and some cannot. Milgard confirms their fiberglass windows can be painted on their website, but Andersen and Pella generally state that painting will void the warranty, and don’t address the topic further in their website.

Before painting any window product, be sure to confirm it’s paintable by contacting the manufacturer of the window, or by checking its specifications on their website. This will also tell you if painting the product impacts the warranty.

One lovely thing about fiberglass windows is that most baked-on factory paint will never need repainting, although it can fade a bit after a decade or two. Depending on the color and manufacturer, it can last as long as the window, which can be forty, fifty years or longer. Zero maintenance is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

If you’d like to change the color, however, we recommend using a paint professional to ensure the best results. It’s very important to not seal drainage holes, and paint in a way that doesn’t impact how the hardware and window operates. The last thing anyone wants is to paint a window shut so it can never be opened. After all, winter weather can be a fabulous time to leave them open in Scottsdale to enjoy the 70-80 degree days!

DunRite Windows & Doors sells Pella® Impervia®, Andersen A-Series and Milgard® Ultra-Series of fiberglass windows and doors.

Fiberglass windows are more expensive than aluminum windows; but for that price difference, you’ll get improved lifespan, durability and strength, and best-in-class energy efficiency. If budget allows, they are an ideal choice.

How do they compare to another popular choice for high-end homes, aluminum-clad wood windows? The biggest benefit of clad wood is the ability to have the look of wood inside the home, where it can add a lovely warmth to rooms. The compromise? Because it’s a wood window on the exterior with a very thin layer of aluminum over the wood to protect it from the elements, that wood window is less energy efficient. It also requires a certain amount of maintenance and has a shorter lifespan than a fiberglass window. Some fiberglass window manufacturers do offer an embossed wood-grain look, but in our opinion, it falls short when compared to actual wood. If you aren’t particularly attached to the look of wood, or if you plan to paint them instead of using a stain, then fiberglass might be something to consider.

If budget doesn’t allow a purchase of fiberglass or aluminum clad wood, Andersen® fibrex® windows are excellent, and a nice entry into the high-end window category at a more budget-friendly price. They last longer than a vinyl window, although some don’t care for the thicker width of frame.