Cons of Fiberglass Windows

Cost

• The main disadvantage of fiberglass windows is their cost. Compared to aluminum and vinyl options, fiberglass windows are very expensive. Because they do not have as long a track record as wood, vinyl and aluminum windows, it is difficult to determine whether they are worth the costly investment. If you are on a budget, you may be better off going with less expensive vinyl windows, which have been proven to perform well over many years.

Limited Availability

• Unlike vinyl, which is easily mass-produced, the process to make fiberglass is complex and labor-intensive. Putting a window together once the fiberglass has been produced also requires a significant amount of time. In fact, it can take as long to make a fiberglass window as it does to create a custom wooden option. As a result, fiberglass windows tend to have limited availability. If you are remodeling, you may have to wait weeks for your fiberglass windows to turn up on-site, so your project may be delayed.

Maintenance

• You must paint fiberglass windows to match your home’s exterior because they have an extremely limited color selection. While they take paint extremely well, exposure to rain, snow, ice and wind wears down the coating and often causes chipping and peeling. Every few years, you must repaint your fiberglass windows to maintain their appearance. Vinyl windows, on the other hand, are available in a wide range of colors, so they do not require painting. As a result, they require less maintenance than fiberglass windows.

Difficult Installation

• Another problem with fiberglass windows is that they can be difficult to install. Installers cannot bow them as they might with vinyl windows, so it requires extreme precision to get the windows to fit in place. Fiberglass also weighs considerably more than vinyl, which often causes installers to work more slowly. Because of these challenges, fiberglass glass windows do not lend themselves to do-it-yourself installation the way vinyl windows do, so you cannot save money by replacing your windows yourself.