Choosing the Right Frame Materials for Your Windows & Patio Doors
When choosing window frame material for your home, consider our Sacramento climate as well as your budget, preferred aesthetics, and desired maintenance level. Common materials include vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum frames, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Milgard offers windows and patio doors with vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum frames, each with different strengths for your home. Vinyl window frames are a cost-effective choice with good insulation, while fiberglass frames provide exceptional strength, durability, and energy efficiency, especially the Milgard Ultra™ Series. Aluminum frames are strong and offer a modern, slim profile for larger views and are suitable for budget-conscious projects, though they are less energy-efficient unless they have thermal breaks.
Milgard Frame Material Comparisons
Vinyl Frames (PVC)
Vinyl windows are generally the most affordable frame material, making it a popular choice for homeowners on a budget. Milgard’s vinyl lines include Tuscany®, Trinsic™, and Style Line®. In addition to being cost-effective, vinyl offers good insulation, is extremely durable and low maintenance, and is available in a variety of styles and colors.
However, vinyl can expand and contract slightly with extreme temperature changes, which may stress seals over many years. Lastly, they may not add as much value as the other two options in high-end homes.
Fiberglass Window Frames
Fiberglass is slightly more expensive than vinyl upfront, but it is one of the strongest and most durable frame materials available, ideal for holding large expanses of glass. They are energy-efficient, and resistant to warping, cracking, and fading especially from temperature changes. Unlike vinyl, fiberglass frames can be painted to change the exterior color for future home renovations, letting you control the aesthetics. Installation may be more complex, however, due to the heavier weight of this material.
Aluminum Framing
Aluminum frames are lightweight and very strong, allowing for a thin, sleek and modern frame that maximize your glass viewing area. They are still an affordable hoice for homeowners seeking quality on a budget. Although they historically have poor energy performance, due to aluminum being a natural conductor of heat and cold, Milgard’s thermally improved frames address this issue. Although there are corrosion & condensation risks in certain climates, such as coastal regions, aluminum frames are generally long-lasting and require little to no upkeep.
How to Choose the Right Frame Material for Your Home
Which of these factors are your highest priorities for you?
Budget: Vinyl is typically the most cost-effective option, while aluminum can also be an affordable choice.
Aesthetics: Vinyl offers a traditional to modern look, and aluminum provides a contemporary style with slim profiles.
Energy Efficiency: Fiberglass and vinyl offer superior insulation, with fiberglass generally being the most energy-efficient.
Durability: Fiberglass and aluminum are strong materials that can withstand harsh weather, while vinyl is resistant to warping and fading.
If value and practicality are most important to you, choose vinyl windows or vinyl patio doors to go easy on the budget and maintenance requirements while keeping a strong energy efficiency in most climates.
For ultimate durability and longevity, opt for fiberglass frame materials. This gives your home the strongest, most energy-efficient windows that won’t warp in extreme climates. This is a longer-term investment. Milgard’s Ultra™ Series is a top-tier option of fiberglass windows.
For a modern, minimalist look, select Milgard’s “thermally improved” aluminum to get slim, sleek frames for maximum glass area in a contemporary home with good energy performance.
Interested in more information about different window frames or any of our Milgard window series? Contact Dick’s Rancho Glass online, give us a call, or visit one of our two glass showrooms in the Sacramento region:
Dick’s Rancho Glass Sacramento at 2900 Routier Road
Or call us at (916)363-6554
Dicks Rancho Glass Fair Oaks at 5349 San Juan Ave
or call us at (916)863-2500
~ At Dick’s Rancho Glass our versatility and pride of craftsmanship are keys to our success. Our excellent reputation has been built on the foundations of quality, reliability, and maintaining a dedicated staff. ~