With four distinct seasons, both coastal and inland zones, and strict energy codes, New Jersey presents a number of unique challenges for homeowners. Protecting your home and keeping your family safe from the elements is sure to be on your mind as the harsh winter months approach, and your home’s windows are part of its first line of defence.
There are now numerous different window materials for homeowners to choose from. In this post, we will provide a clear and comprehensive comparison of the three most popular materials on the market: wood, fiberglass, and vinyl. We will share both the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you make an informed decision for your home.
At Magnolia, we supply and install many of the USA’s top brand windows. Our team can support you through the entire process, taking the headache out of the window selection and installation process.
Quick Comparison Snapshot
Here’s an at-a-glance comparison to help you get started. In the following sections, we will dive more deeply into the various options to help you make the right choice for you.
| Best For | Maintenance | Efficiency | Approximate Lifespan | Style | Budget Fit | |
| Vinyl | Inland suburban homes and budget-conscious remodels | Wash frames and check for damage annually | Best efficiency | 20 years | Simple aesthetic with fewer customizations than other materials | $ |
| Wood | Historic homes, period properties and luxury renovations | Regular repainting and resealing required, check for water ingress | Good efficiency | 20+ years | High-end and traditional appearance, can be customized with paint or staining | $$$ |
| Fiberglass | Coastal regions, long-term homes and modern aesthetics | Annual inspection of hardware and seals | Excellent efficiency | 30-40 years | Sleek and slim profiles that can be styled to suit both traditional and modern aesthetics | $$ |
Energy Efficient Windows in the Northeast and Other Things To Consider When Selecting Windows for NJ Homes
NJ experiences rapid freeze/thaw cycles, high humidity in the summer, salt spray on coastal areas, and significant wind loads. The windows and doors you choose for your home must be able to withstand these harsh weather conditions while retaining both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
Energy efficient windows are important for NJ homeowners looking to make energy savings. Efficient windows can reduce your heating and cooling costs, keep your home warm, and help you to live more sustainably. There are several metrics you can use to assess the energy efficiency of your windows:
- U-factor indicates how well a window prevents heat transfer
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a number between 0 and 1 that measures how much solar heat enters through a window. A higher SHGC is ideal for keeping spaces warm, while a lower SHGC prevents overheating in hot climates.
- Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass is coated with a special treatment that reduces thermal transfer, helping to retain heat.
- Energy Star certification indicates that your windows have achieved a high level of energy efficiency. Look out for the Energy Star logo when you are choosing windows.
Triple pane windows, also known as triple glazing, are a great choice for keeping your home warm and energy efficient. However, they are also heavier and more expensive than their double glazed counterparts. Choosing argon filled windows and doors, in which the spaces between panes are filled with argon gas, is another way to improve both energy efficiency and sound insulation.
NJ homeowners may be able to benefit from various local energy incentives, tax credits, and rebates, saving them money on replacement windows. Your New Jersey window contractor should be able to advise you on any schemes that you may be eligible for.
Finally, aesthetic and stylistic preferences are also important. Many NJ towns are filled with historic and period homes. Choosing the right materials and styles for these properties is vital in marrying modern convenience with their historical charm.
Check out the various window brands Magnolia can supply and install to find the right fit for your home.
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is then treated to prevent the sun’s UV rays from breaking down the material.
Pros
Vinyl windows are a cost-effective choice requiring a lower upfront investment than other materials. They are low maintenance and easy to care for, offering good durability for New Jersey homes. Vinyl windows also offer excellent energy efficiency.
What to Watch Out For
Vinyl windows can expand and contract slightly during significant temperature swings, which may be a problem for some NJ homes due to the Garden State’s extreme temperatures. Dark-colored vinyl windows may also fade over time when exposed to full sunlight. In addition, PVC is more harmful to the environment than other materials.
Best Fit for NJ Homes
Vinyl windows are a great choice for inland suburban homes and homeowners seeking to save money with budget-conscious upgrades. You can get the most out of your vinyl windows by pairing them with high-performance glass.
Style Notes
Though vinyl windows are less customizable than other materials, there are still a number of stylistic options to choose from. Flexible grille designs allow you to match your windows to your home’s aesthetic. Black and bronze are currently trending frame colors, and vinyl windows remain popular with owners of colonial and Cape-style homes.
Wood Windows
Wood is the oldest and most traditional window material, yet remains popular today. Modern wood windows combine the natural beauty and properties of real wood with cutting-edge design and manufacturing techniques to maximize performance.
Pros
Wood windows are beautiful and stylish, offering a premium look. They are highly customizable, making them a fantastic choice for custom interiors. In addition, wood offers excellent insulation.
What to Watch Out For
Wooden windows require maintenance and are vulnerable to moisture ingress if their exterior is not properly clad or protected. This can make them a challenging choice in NJ’s coastal regions. Wood is more expensive than other window materials, though with proper care it can also last much longer.
Best Fit for NJ Homes
Wood windows are the perfect choice for historic and period homes, particularly in locales such as Maplewood and Montclair. They also add beauty to luxury renovations. If you opt for wooden windows in New Jersey, consider choosing clad-wood for exterior durability.
Style Notes
Wood windows offer a huge variety of stylistic possibilities, from true-divided-lites to stains specifically chosen to match interior trim. Multiple exterior finishes are also available, allowing you to match your windows to your home’s architectural style and enhance curb appeal.
Fiberglass Windows
Fiberglass windows are made from a mixture of glass fibers and resin. This material can be enhanced with various additives to create the desired properties.
Pros
Fiberglass is extremely strong and stable, even in extreme weathers and a changing climate. They are an excellent choice for large windows and homes in coastal areas. Fiberglass windows are highly energy efficient and the material is more environmentally friendly than vinyl.
What to Watch Out For
Fiberglass windows come at a higher upfront cost than wood or vinyl. There may also be fewer color and frame options to choose from, depending upon the brand.
Best Fit for NJ Homes
Fiberglass is an excellent choice for long-term or “forever homes” due to its excellent durability and longevity. It is also a great choice for coastal properties and for any project in which performance takes priority over budget.
Style Notes
Fiberglass windows offer slim profiles that look sleek and elegant, and can be styled for both modern and traditional looks. They are a deluxe window choice that is ideally suited to upscale applications.
Maintenance and Lifespan Requirements For Your New Windows
Different window materials require different levels and types of maintenance. Before you select your new windows, it is vital to ensure you will be able to care for and maintain them properly.
Vinyl windows are a low-maintenance choice, requiring little more than an occasional frame wash and an annual check of the seals and hardware.
Wood windows require periodic painting and staining to keep them looking beautiful and performing well. It is also important to check for water intrusion regularly.
Fiberglass windows require minimal maintenance. However, it is still important to inspect the hardware and seals annually.
If your new windows are properly installed by a skilled and reputable team, they should last for many years. Magnolia Home Remodeling Group employs a team of fully licensed, insured window installers. In addition, all our installations come with a comprehensive warranty to offer you peace of mind.
Cost Drivers
Cost will inevitably be a factor in the decisions you make for your home renovation. including the windows you select. Your material choice and glass package, the size and shape of your windows, the grids or finishes you choose, the installation complexity, the square footage of your house, and any required permits will all impact the overall price of your new windows.
As a general rule, wood is the most expensive window material, followed by fiberglass, while vinyl is a more budget-friendly option.
Magnolia stocks both deluxe windows and budget options from leading brands including Andersen, Pella, Alside, and Marvin.
Style and Curb Appeal
Windows are a stylistic as well as a practical choice. The best windows for your home will not only be made of high quality materials and perform well, but also look beautiful and enhance your home’s curb appeal.
It is important to match your windows and doors to the architectural style of your house. Colonial, Cape, Tudor, and shore homes are just some of the building styles commonly seen in NJ, and each requires a different aesthetic approach.
Dark-frame windows, large picture windows that maximize natural light, and exterior colour options are three trends we have noticed amongst our customers and across NJ homes more broadly. However, keeping up with trends is less important than ensuring your windows complement your home’s construction and reflect your personal tastes and style.
If you live in a historic district or own a period home, check whether there are approved materials and looks you must adhere to before you finalize your window choices.
Coastal vs Inland Considerations
The coastal position of NJ’s many shore towns means that homes in these areas are exposed to salty air and higher wind-loads. In these areas, fiberglass or clad-wood windows are an ideal choice.
In NJ’s inland and suburban locales, on the other hand, either wood or fiberglass is likely to be sufficient. If you are seeking a more traditional aesthetic and are willing to put in the maintenance work required, wood is also a great choice in these regions.
Installation Matters
Quality workmanship is essential to any home improvement project. When you are replacing your windows, correct removal of the old windows and installation of your new ones is vital. Proper flashing, sill pan installation, insulation, ventilation, and air sealing are particularly crucial in NJ’s climate.
It is essential to choose a team of window installers you trust. Learn more about Magnolia’s full-service window replacement process here.
Where We Serve
The Magnolia team is proud to supply and fit windows in the Essex, Sussex, Morris, Middlesex, Passaic, Warren, Hudson, Union, Bergen, Hunterdon, and Somerset counties of New Jersey.
Contact us today to schedule your free estimate.
FAQs
Which material offers the best energy efficiency for NJ winters?
Vinyl is generally the most energy-efficient window material overall. However, any of the materials we have listed here can be engineered and installed to protect your home from the harsh weather and freezing temperatures of NJ winters.
Will wood windows meet historic-district regulations in my town?
Each historic district has its own regulations, so double check before you select your windows. Our team has extensive local knowledge and can advise customers on choosing windows and doors that adhere to historic-district regulations.
Are black-frame vinyl windows a good idea in full-sun exposures?
Low quality black-frame vinyl windows can be susceptible to warping and fading over time when exposed to full sunlight. However, high quality vinyl windows can be engineered and reinforced to withstand sun exposure for longer.
Do fiberglass windows justify the higher cost over time?
Generally yes. Fiberglass windows are more costly upfront than vinyl. However, they are also more durable, more energy-efficient, and tend to last longer.
Can I get NJ rebates for replacement windows?
There are various rebates, incentives, and tax credits available to help NJ homeowners afford replacement windows. A member of our team will be able to advise you on any incentives that are available in your area.
What signs show my windows need replacing?
If your windows are visibly damaged or decayed, your energy bills have risen sharply, condensation builds up between glass panes, you can hear more outside noise than usual when your windows are closed, or your double pane windows feel cold to the touch from the inside, these are all signs you need new windows in your NJ home.
Ready to Upgrade Your Windows?
Let Magnolia help you choose the right material, brand and installation for your New Jersey home. Our experienced, licensed, and insured team can support you through every phase of the process. We carry many of the USA’s most trusted brands including Andersen, Marvin, Pella, and Alside. We can also support you in obtaining suitable financing to spread the cost of your home remodeling project.
Get in touch today to get started.
