Fiberglass windows

LowOdour

Anybody here dealt with fiberglassed windows i.e fiberglass outside and wood on the inside? What are your opinions on them?

sydthebeat

havent come across them, but i suppose theres little difference, visually, with them and PVC windows. GRP is a commonly used material in the construction industry and has the added beneft of being able to use recycled material in its production, whereas uPVC is a petrochemical derivative.

would also make sense to use as cladding material as it wouldnt have the same expansion / contraction coefficient that aluminium would have. I wonder how its RAL colours weather over time?

If considering them just make sure they are properly tested and accredited, preferably A rated in accordance with BFRC.

morning delight

LowOdour wrote: »

Anybody here dealt with fiberglassed windows i.e fiberglass outside and wood on the inside? What are your opinions on them?

I read about them in a self build mag in the States last September but they don't seem to have hit the market here yet. Neither my architect or structural engineer have come across them.

Using google I found one or two suppliers in Canada but personally I'd prefer to order off someone in Ireland...

Patrickof

I think Marvin in Dunlavin do a fibreglass frame

scanner1

Patrickof wrote: »

I think Marvin in Dunlavin do a fibreglass frame

+1

Marvin in Cork do them as well, had them in Sliding Sash and were reasonable against PVC sliding sash. My engineer had not heard about them either so stayed away from them. If you were thinking of using them
they have standard windwow sizes and if you have not built the openings, build them to their standard size, It would work out much cheaper.

LowOdour

I went on to integritywindows.com, doesnt say anything about the U value of the windows. Would be interested to see how they compare with a good pvc window

morning delight

Can I put a scanned page from a self-build magazine from the U.S. up here as an attachement for everyone to see? It has a synopsis including pros and cons of the differenent window frame types and is relevant to this thread.

LowOdour

m_d
could you pm the link to me (i presume the scan has been uploaded somewhere) if you are not allowed to put it up here

morning delight

LowOdour wrote: »

m_d
could you pm the link to me (i presume the scan has been uploaded somewhere) if you are not allowed to put it up here

LowOdour
Find the scan attached. I got the all clear from syd to put it up. Only gives general details but does imply fibreglass is possibly the way of the future!

morning delight

I see Greenbuilding store in the UK supply such a window. They are an agent I assume as the window is produced by a german company. It's the Enersign window, is passiv institut certified, and with triple glazing comes in with a Uw of 0.65. I don't think there is any agent for the windows here though and don't know how they would compare on cost.

I've been following a blog by the greenbuilding store on building.co.uk. They are building a passive haus using cavity wall construction. Well worth a look. Google 'passiv haus diaries' and it will bring you to it.

This is of real interest as I'm looking at starting a new build in the next few months. I've no other connection or interest in the building industry other than that!

cantdecide

Protec have agents in ireland

http://www.protecwindows.com/Components/GetMedia.aspx?id=c14e13ee-4766-42e9-9151-5ea47153feae