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Vinyl vs fiberglass vs wood windows

The glass gets the attention, but the frame decides most of what you will maintain, how the window handles the swing from a humid July to a subzero January, and whether it suits an older house.

Updated October 29, 2026 ยท Sources listed at the end

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A new wood-framed window set into gray siding with white trim
A new window is only as tight as the seal and insulation around its frame. Photo: Deren Deste / Unsplash

Cost by material

JobPublished rangeSource
Vinyl window$350 to $800Fixr, Jan 2026
Fiberglass window$400 to $1,500Fixr, Jan 2026
Wood window$600 to $2,000Fixr, Jan 2026
Composite window$300 to $2,500Fixr, Jan 2026

How they compare

  • Vinyl. The most common replacement window. Low upkeep and usually the lowest price for good thermal performance. Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature, so quality of the frame and welds matters in a climate with Des Moines' swings.
  • Fiberglass. Stiffer than vinyl and moves less with temperature. It can be painted and usually costs more.
  • Wood and wood-clad. The traditional look and the usual choice in historic districts. Needs paint on exposed wood; clad versions cover the outside in aluminum or vinyl.
  • Composite. Blends of wood fiber and resin. Pricing varies widely by brand.
  • Aluminum. Inexpensive and slim, but metal conducts cold, so plain aluminum frames are a poor fit for an Iowa winter.

Des Moines climate

The airport averages 22 days a year above 90 degrees and 10.4 nights below 0 (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020). Whatever you choose, compare the whole-window U-factor on the NFRC label. Under ENERGY STAR Version 7.0, which took effect in October 2023, windows in the Northern climate zone, which includes Iowa, need a U-factor of 0.22 or lower and an SHGC of at least 0.17, with equivalent performance options allowed.

Average low and high by month, Des Moines (degrees F)

January: average low 13.8 F, average high 30.9 F1431JanFebruary: average low 18 F, average high 35.7 F1836FebMarch: average low 29.6 F, average high 49.2 F3049MarApril: average low 40.6 F, average high 62 F4162AprMay: average low 52.3 F, average high 72.4 F5272MayJune: average low 62.4 F, average high 81.9 F6282JunJuly: average low 66.4 F, average high 85.6 F6686JulAugust: average low 64.2 F, average high 83.6 F6484AugSeptember: average low 55.4 F, average high 76.9 F5577SepOctober: average low 42.9 F, average high 63.4 F4363OctNovember: average low 30.2 F, average high 48.3 F3048NovDecember: average low 19.5 F, average high 35.9 F2036Dec32 F
Each bar runs from the normal low (number below) to the normal high (number above). Darker blue months have lows under 20 F. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020, Des Moines International Airport (USW00014933).

Questions Des Moines homeowners ask

What window material is best for cold climates?

Vinyl and fiberglass windows can meet the ENERGY STAR Northern zone criteria, and so can wood-clad ones. Compare the U-factor on the label, the warranty and the installation rather than the material name alone.

Are vinyl windows allowed on historic homes?

Outside local historic districts, usually yes. Inside a local historic district, exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness, and the commission may require wood.

Keep reading

Serving West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Clive, Altoona, Grimes, Pleasant Hill, Norwalk and all of Des Moines.

Sources

  1. Fixr: Window Replacement Cost (updated January 21, 2026)
  2. Door and Window Market: Who Needs ENERGY STAR? (Nov/Dec 2023, Version 7.0 criteria)
  3. ENERGY STAR: Independently Tested and Certified Energy Performance (NFRC label)
  4. NOAA NCEI: U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020, Des Moines International Airport (USW00014933)
  5. Sherman Hill Association: Historic Preservation Commission and Certificates of Appropriateness