The most common window frame materials: How to choose and why it matters

Key points

• Window frame material affects your home’s energy efficiency and aesthetic more than many people realize.

• Vinyl window frames are the most popular option; they’re affordable, efficient and easy to maintain.

• It may be worth paying more for an expensive window frame material, such as fiberglass, to save money on heating and cooling bills over time.

Your window frame material affects everything from your home’s aesthetic to its energy efficiency. While your window frames should match your home’s overall style, it’s more important for them to align with your budget, climate and maintenance tolerance.

The five most common window frames you’ll encounter are vinyl, fiberglass, wood, composite material — such as particleboard and laminated strand lumber — and aluminum. Each comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.

For example, vinyl is cost-effective and affordable but might be less visually appealing than wood. However, wood is more expensive and harder to maintain. Years ago, my neighbor installed beautiful wood window frames only to replace them less than five years later because they required too much maintenance for him.

There isn’t one window frame to rule them all, but some options will suit your circumstances better than others. 

Vinyl

Vinyl window frames are made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, a durable material that requires less maintenance than other materials. PVC is also commonly used to make plumbing pipes and the ubiquitous suburban white fences.

I averaged the most popular vinyl window frame options on Home Depot’s website and found that the typical price range is $229–$400. Remember that this price range is for the material alone; you can expect to pay about double that if you include installation labor.

What we like about vinyl frames

Vinyl frames are a crowd-pleaser for a reason. They’re affordable, come in several styles and require little maintenance. They also provide good insulation, which can help reduce your energy bills, especially if you’re coming from a less insulating material, such as wood.

Vinyl window frames are also moisture-resistant, so they’re an excellent choice for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Most of the homes in my neighborhood — located in a moderate New York climate — have vinyl windows. They offer both efficiency and affordability.

What we don’t like about vinyl frames

Vinyl frames are less sturdy than other materials when exposed to physical stress, such as harsh weather and temperature changes, and can become brittle and crack. Their frailty is particularly problematic in cold climates where temperatures regularly drop below freezing.

Also, vinyl can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. It also can’t be painted easily, which is a major downside considering its propensity to fade. If you want a specific color, you’ll have to choose it upfront, and you won’t be able to change it down the road unless you replace the frames altogether.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass window frames comprise glass fibers and resin. They’re strong and energy-efficient but more expensive than vinyl window frames. Lowe’s sells a variety of fiberglass windows between $600 and $1,200, which is significantly more expensive than other window frame types.

What we like about fiberglass frames

Fiberglass frames offer excellent insulation and durability, so they’re a better choice than vinyl for cold climates. Plus, you can paint them, which allows for more color and style options and gives you some insurance if you think you might want a new color later on.

Fiberglass window frames are low-maintenance, resist warping, don’t rot and aren’t impacted by insects. Fiberglass may be worth the higher upfront cost since it lasts longer and leads to fewer headaches than cheaper materials. I installed these on my home despite living in a moderate climate.

Fiberglass is very, very strong, it’s very durable…but it doesn’t cost as much as wood, and it lasts forever.

Jeff Ludy

We asked Jeff Ludy of Houston Window Experts for advice on the best window frame materials. “Fiberglass is very, very strong, it’s very durable…but it doesn’t cost as much as wood, and it lasts forever,” he said. “It’s impervious to weather, it’s much more efficient than any other product out there and it has the least amount of failures over a long period of time,” he continued. “So, if you’re looking for a long-term product, fiberglass is probably the best choice.”

What we don’t like about fiberglass frames

The only thing we don’t like about fiberglass is its cost. Fiberglass window frames are much more expensive than other types, so they might be outside your comfort zone if you’re on a tight budget. Otherwise, we consider fiberglass a quality and virtually maintenance-free window frame material.

Wood

Wood window frames have a natural, timeless beauty, making them a popular choice among homeowners. They’re also sturdy and insulating.

What we like about wood frames

Wooden window frames offer a traditional, elegant look, and you can stain or paint them to match your home’s style. If you’re the type of person who likes completing home improvement projects and changing things up occasionally, wood gives you more aesthetic flexibility than vinyl or aluminum.

Wood is an energy-efficient window frame material. Wooden frames provide excellent insulation, which can help keep heating and cooling bills down — as long as you maintain them to avoid rotting and warping.

What we don’t like about wood frames

If price is your primary concern, wood frames shouldn’t be your first choice. The cost of a 24-by-36-inch wood frame at Home Depot is between $469 and $1,119, depending on your chosen brand and color. That’s more expensive than vinyl and aluminum but cheaper than fiberglass.

Further, wood window frames are harder to maintain and prone to decay from weather and insects. They require regular refinishing or repainting to keep them looking their best.

Composite

Composite window frames comprise a blend of materials, including wood, plastics and binders, so they offer the advantages of multiple frame types. Wood clad is a popular option for composite windows; it combines the natural beauty of wood with the durability of hard plastic or even fiberglass.

Be wary when shopping for composite windows since some companies use the term just to attract customers. Ludy warned us, “‘Composite windows’ is kind of a buzzword in my industry now, like ‘organic’ is a buzzword [in] grocery stores.” He continued, “A true composite window is going to be using resins and…materials that actually are composed of other types of things that come together to make a new window.” Ensure you understand what materials compose the frame before you purchase it, and don’t be afraid to ask for more information.

Composite windows’ is kind of a buzzword in my industry now, like ‘organic’ is a buzzword [in] grocery stores.

Jeff Ludy

The only composite-frame window Home Depot carries as of this writing is made by Anderson and costs between $249 and $397, depending on size. A 23.75-by-35.25-inch window costs $249. It’s made from Fibrex, which is more durable than vinyl but lacks the longevity of a wood-clad window. You can expect a higher-end composite window, such as a wood-clad one, to cost between $800 and $1,800.

What we like about composite frames

One of our favorite things about composite frames is that they mimic the appearance of wood while providing superior durability, lower maintenance and greater rot resistance. That makes them a good compromise if you like the look of wood but don’t want to deal with the upkeep wood window frames require.

They also typically provide good insulation, although it depends on the type of composite frames you get. Wood clad is a composite frame with excellent insulation stats, but other composite frames come with varying degrees of energy efficiency.

What we don’t like about composite frames

Composite window frames can be more expensive than other options and may be less customizable in terms of style and color. You can paint some types of composite frames, but it depends on the particular type you’re interested in.

Another downside to composite frames is that shopping for them is more complicated than purchasing other window frame types. There are numerous material combinations that you’ll run into, each with its own price, look and energy efficiency to consider.

Aluminum

Aluminum window frames are lightweight, sturdy and resistant to rust. However, they’re prone to physical damage and get a worn look quicker than other window frames.

Based on the options from Home Depot, the average price range for aluminum windows is between $90 and $420. A 36-by-48-inch aluminum window made by Tafco Windows costs around $420. Installed, you’re looking at between $200 and $800.

What we like about aluminum frames

Aluminum frames are durable and corrosion-resistant. They also have slim profiles, which makes them an ideal choice for modern, minimalist designs.

Another upside is that you can — and should — paint aluminum window frames. Painting helps protect the frames from weather conditions and lets you customize their look.

What we don’t like about aluminum frames

Aluminum is a poor choice for cold and hot climates since it’s not as insulating as other materials. Aluminum has high thermal conductivity, meaning it transfers heat very easily. There are enhanced aluminum options that boost efficiency, but those are more expensive.

Further, aluminum doesn’t get along with moisture, which can cause mold or mildew problems unless you regularly inspect and clean your window frames. You also need to repaint aluminum window frames every five to 10 years, which is more often than most other materials.

What factors should you consider when choosing a window frame material?

Looks are important, but other factors should inform your window frame purchase. Here’s a summary of the top things to consider when choosing your new window style:

• Climate and energy efficiency: The more energy-efficient your windows are, the lower your electricity bills will be. It’s often worth paying more upfront for a high-quality material, such as fiberglass, since you’ll save more money in the long run. Also, consider your climate — vinyl windows don’t do well in subfreezing temperatures, for example, and aluminum will conduct heat, so it’s not the best for ultrahot climates.
• Aesthetics: Consider your desired look and customizability level. Vinyl comes in multiple styles and colors, but you can’t repaint it, and it may fade with time. Wood is timeless and elegant, and you can paint it any color you like, but it requires regular finishing or painting.
• Budget: Vinyl and aluminum are affordable window frame materials but aren’t as energy-efficient or long-lasting as more expensive materials, such as composite frames. Consider energy efficiency, durability and upfront costs when setting your budget.
• Customization options: Cheaper windows made from budget materials often come in set sizes and designs. That could make it hard to match them with your home’s style when shopping for replacement windows. Choose more customizable options, such as wood and aluminum, if you’re concerned about the frames fitting in with your home design.
• Material availability: Some materials are easier to obtain than others. For example, during the lumber shortage throughout the pandemic, wood-framed windows were more expensive and took longer to get as inventories ran low. Supply chain issues can always affect the availability of certain materials.

What’s next?

Your next step should be to discuss your window options with a professional window installer. Tell them which frame material you’re considering, and they can advise you on whether it will work well with your home’s climate and design. They can also help you choose the option that fits your budget, both short- and long-term.

Consider getting a quote from one of our top window brands. All of these companies have a history of providing top-notch customer service and can help you choose the right window material for your home.

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