For most Indianapolis-area homes, quality vinyl is the best value: it costs the least, needs no maintenance, and insulates well. Fiberglass is stronger and costs more. Wood looks the most traditional but needs the most upkeep.

	Vinyl	Fiberglass	Wood / wood-clad
Price	Lowest	Higher	Highest
Maintenance	None	Very low	Paint or stain over time
Energy efficiency	Very good	Very good	Good
Best for	Most homes	Large or dark-colored units	Historic and high-end homes

Vinyl

Modern vinyl frames have multiple internal chambers, and some, like the Alside Mezzo we install, add foam insulation in the frame. Vinyl won’t rot, peel, or need painting.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass barely expands or contracts with temperature, so it handles large sizes and dark colors well. It typically costs noticeably more than vinyl.

Wood

Wood has a classic look that suits historic homes, but it needs regular painting or staining and can rot if water gets in. Wood-clad windows put a protective exterior shell over a wood interior.

Want the look of wood without the upkeep? See our vinyl windows and black windows.