Been researching windows lately cuz we're renovating and trying to keep things as green as possible. Anyone found a window brand or specific model that's genuinely eco-friendly? Like materials, insulation, sustainability...you know, the whole deal. Curious what others have discovered.
We went through this exact rabbit hole last year when we redid our sunroom. I totally agree—it's surprisingly tricky to find windows that tick all the eco-friendly boxes without feeling like you're compromising somewhere else. After a ton of digging, we ended up going with fiberglass frames from Marvin's Essential line. Fiberglass is pretty solid environmentally speaking—it's durable, doesn't warp like wood, and has better insulation properties than vinyl. Plus, Marvin apparently uses recycled glass in their fiberglass, which was a nice bonus.
One thing I learned along the way: pay attention to the glazing specs. We opted for triple-pane windows with low-E coatings, and the difference in insulation was noticeable right away. Our heating bills dropped noticeably last winter, and the room feels way more comfortable overall. I was skeptical at first about the extra cost, but honestly, it's been worth it.
I did look into reclaimed wood frames too, but the maintenance seemed like a headache long-term. Curious if anyone else went that route and how it's holding up...
We replaced our windows about three years ago and went with Andersen's Fibrex frames. They're a composite material made partly from reclaimed wood fiber, so it felt like a good middle ground between wood and vinyl. They've held up really well—no warping or fading yet, and maintenance has been minimal. We stuck with double-pane low-E glass though, and now I'm wondering if triple-pane would've made a noticeable difference in comfort or bills... Has anyone else compared double vs triple pane directly?