Which Window Frame is Best For You?

What is a Window Frame?

A window frame is the structural support that holds the window glass in place. The frame plays a big part in your window’s overall energy-efficiency as well as in what your window looks like. If you are researching “black windows,” for example, you are really looking for black window frames.

Types of Window Frames

Window frames go beyond just color and aesthetic value. The material you choose will impact everything from what your window looks like to how energy efficient your home is to what your window will ultimately cost. There are five main types of window frame materials. Check out the table below for a quick look at each of them. Then, read on for a more detailed breakdown of each.

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Vinyl Windows

• Cost: $391 – $834 per window

With lots of color options and great energy efficiency properties, it’s no wonder that vinyl windows are so popular. In addition to all their benefits, they are also the most affordable window frame material. Vinyl is, by far, the most popular frame material for replacement windows.

Be aware that vinyl tends to be the least durable material on this list, though. Since it is made of plastic, it also melts easily in wildfires, making it a poor choice for regions prone to fire conditions.

You can read more about them by visiting our guide to vinyl replacement windows.

Fiberglass Windows

• Cost: $400 – $1,000 per window

You should choose fiberglass replacement windows if you want a frame that lasts a long time, is resistant to heat, and is eco-friendly. Fiberglass is growing in popularity. Though it costs more than vinyl, fiberglass lasts for more than 80 years.

However, fiberglass also is not as widely available as vinyl is, and it can be a bit trickier to install, so make sure you find a contractor experienced with this material.

To learn more, check out our guide to fiberglass window replacement.

Aluminum Windows

• Cost: $397 – $846

If you want a low maintenance, modern frame, consider aluminum. In addition to its sleek look, aluminum windows do not warp, making them a good choice for a wide variety of regions and weather conditions.

However, they are not as energy efficient as other frame materials. This is largely because aluminum conducts heat. They can also dent if they are not handled with care when being installed.

You can read more about aluminum replacement windows over at our guide.

Composite Windows

• Cost: $950 – $1,800

Also called clad wood windows, a composite frame has a wood core that is surrounded by vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum. This gives you the energy efficiency and durability of a wood frame while eliminating the higher maintenance needs wood is associated with.

Though these frames are extremely durable, they are also one of the most (if not the most) expensive materials you can choose.

Our guide to clad wood windows can tell you more about this frame material as well as its cost.

Wood Windows

• Cost: $875 – $1,865

Wooden windows are gorgeous and timeless. They offer excellent insulation, they’re resistant to many types of weather, and they’re eco-friendly.

However, they also require a lot of maintenance to ensure the wood doesn’t rot or warp, and they tend to be one of the more expensive frame materials.

Read more about wood frames for windows to see if this is right for you and your home.

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Parts of a Window Frame

There are nine parts to a window frame, but for the purposes of selecting a frame material, we will focus on just four of them:

1. The window sill. This is the very bottom piece of the window frame. It is a horizontal piece that makes up the frame’s base.
2. The jambs. These are the sides of the window frame. They are vertical pieces that secure the panes.
3. The head. This is the top of the frame. Like the sill, it is a horizontal piece.
4. The sashes. The sash or sashes are the parts of the window that move. It’s made up of both horizontal and vertical pieces and slides up and down or side to side depending on the window type.

For more information on parts of a window, including the other parts of a window frame, read our guide.

When you need replacement windows for your home, you should be thinking about your home’s climate, what you want your new windows to look like, and how energy-efficient you want them to be. Then, match your budget to the types of window frames that check the most boxes on your list. You can take our quiz above to get our recommendations, and then read on to learn more about why that frame type may work best for you.

How Important is the Type of Window Frame I Choose?

Window frames are the structural backbone of a window, and a quality frame will keep a window functioning for decades rather than a few years. When you are shopping for windows, a good rule is to make decisions in the following order:

1. Look at the types of windows available and select the option(s) you want.
2. Choose a frame material that fits your climate and your budget.
3. Pick a window glass type that gives you the durability and energy efficiency you need.

How to Choose a Window Frame Material

When deciding between different window frame materials, we recommend asking these questions:

• What is the climate like in my home’s region?
• Can the window frame provide good weather insulation for my home?
• How much maintenance will the new windows need?
• Do the frames go with my home’s aesthetics?

Take the Window Frame Quiz

Having trouble deciding on the best frame material for your own home? At the top of this page, you can take a brief quiz about your local climate, home style, and needs, and we’ll give you a professional recommendation to consider. We never ask for your email to view the results.

What Else to Consider When Choosing Window Frame Types

In addition to what frame will work best for your home’s style and the kind of weather your home experiences, you should also consider the following.

Return on Investment

According to the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine, the window frame types that will earn you the highest return on investment this year are vinyl windows and wood windows.

Buying replacement vinyl windows for your home is expected to earn you a 67.5% return on investment, while choosing wood windows can earn you a 66.3% return on investment on average. These numbers are determined by the relative cost of the window frame compared to the value it produces for your home.

Window Warranties

It is common for a manufacturer to offer a “lifetime” warranty with their window and frame. But that warranty can mean one thing for one manufacturer and something completely different for another. It is important to read the fine print and find out the length of the window warranty, as well as which conditions the warranty covers so you know which manufacturers stand behind their products.

You Are Now a Window Frame Expert! So, What’s Next?

Once you’ve got a handle on window frame types and which ones might be best for you, you have a few options for what to do next:

1. Choose a window glass type. You can take our window glass quiz and read all about your options.
2. Learn more about home window replacements. From our favorite brands to our buying guide, this page has it all.
3. Browse our contractor directory. We recommend getting three to four quotes to find the best price and to find a contractor you click with.

If you’d rather have Modernize do the work for you, click below and answer a few questions about your project, and then we will match you with up to four window contractors.

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