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The windows’ framing material is one important factor you should take into account when tackling a window replacement project in Knoxville. This component should effectively withstand the harsh elements and provide long-lasting performance. One prime example of this is Fibrex®, a composite material exclusive to Renewal by Andersen® and its parent company, Andersen® Corporation. It is a combination of wood fibers reclaimed from Andersen’s wood window manufacturing and thermoplastic polymer.
Fibrex is a great alternative to other window frame materials. In fact, the composite has the stability of wood with the low-maintenance features of vinyl. In today’s post, Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville, your local source of replacement patio doors and windows, takes a look at how such windows become better with age.
As a full-service window replacement division of Andersen Corporation, Renewal by Andersen is able to exercise its so-called Signature Service. This concept involves a superior start-to-finish process coupled with the best people in the industry and decades of exclusive product innovation. An integral part of this is the rigorous testing the company performs to all windows.
In fact, the company recently conducted a long-term durability study. Its purpose was to find out how well windows performed years after they were installed. Here, Renewal by Andersen installers removed a total of 10 double-hung window units from a customer’s home in Minnesota 20 years after installation. Tests were conducted on-site and in the laboratory to further support the study.
The study yielded outstanding results. After 20 years of exposure to brutal winters and muggy summers in the area where the tests were conducted, the windows were still easy to operate as the day they were first installed. They are still strong despite those years of use, showing no signs of cracking, peeling, and chipping.
In conclusion, the custom windows of Renewal by Andersen has been scientifically proven to stand the test of time.
The 20-year long-term window durability study followed the ASTM E2068 standard test. This test method “determines the operational forces for opening and closing horizontal and vertical sliding windows and horizontal sliding door systems.”
Here, Renewal by Andersen was able to measure both breakaway and in-motion operating forces required to operate the 10 double-hung windows. It is worth noting, however, that testing using this method is done to all windows. When you choose sliding windows, for instance, you can expect the same results as the aforementioned durability study.
In all, the recent study just proves that the Fibrex material does not only get better with age. Thanks to Andersen Corporation perfecting and patenting this composite material technology, we are able to say that it is a better window framing material compared to others.
Natural wood, apart from it being sturdy, does well in terms of insulation. Even so, it still requires extensive maintenance, especially when the window ages. Painting and regular inspections are necessary. Fibrex, meanwhile, encapsulates the genuine beauty of wood without the possibility of rotting. Just as strong and beautiful, bay windows made with this composite material won’t require painting or extensive maintenance.
Fibrex is often compared with vinyl, one of the most popular types of window material around. Easy to maintain, the latter comes in a wide range of colors. Then again, it is vulnerable to temperature changes. Frame warping and damage may occur as a result of intense heat and cold. With Fibrex, you can’t expect these changes to happen. Unlike vinyl, it won’t bow or crack. It also expands and contracts very little, even with extreme temperature swings. More importantly, it is twice as strong as vinyl.
Aluminum, for all its durable and weather-resistant qualities, is known to be a very poor insulator. Fibrex insulates 700-times better. The material can prevent the home’s energy from escaping, keeping your indoors comfortable. The good thing about our window units is that they can be custom-manufactured to precisely fit your window openings. This minimizes the risk of significant energy loss, enhancing energy efficiency.
Speaking of energy efficiency, the Fibrex frame material is best combined with Renewal by Andersen’s High-Performance™ Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass. This advanced glass component, which is also found in our French and sliding doors, has low-emissivity (low-E4) coatings that reduce heat transfer into your home in summer and traps heat indoors in winter.
Also, the low-E glass blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays to protect your furniture and other interior fixtures from fading. Combining these two components, the Fibrex material and High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass both help ensure the windows’ overall performance, keeping your home’s indoor temperature all year round without the high energy costs.
Turn to Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville for your windows and patio doors replacement needs. In replacing your existing windows, you can trust us to install your new units, adhering to safety and quality specifications. With us, you can be sure to benefit from our industry-leading warranties. Even when Fibrex is known to stand the test of time, we still cover it with a 20-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.
Our goal is to make your window replacement the best home improvement experience you’ve ever had and windows that will stand the test of time. Call (866) 609-5033 today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free in-home consultation. Our Tennessee service areas include Oak Ridge and Maryville, TN.