I like the looks of the aluminum windows with the wood casing, but the fiberglass seems more energy efficient. Which one do you recommend and why?
There are four different windows You're asking about! Aluminium, Wood, Fiberglass, or wood wrapped with aluminium! Fiberglass seems more efficient, as it's generally a one piece molded frame, but they are flimsy can't necessarily stand up to much abuse! Aluminium has too much heat transfer! Pretreated primed wood casings with the aluminium wrap, although the more expensive, is the best bet for longevity best insulating qualities! Oh! get the insulated UV protective glass as well! Anywhere the sun shines in, bleaches the color from walls, rugs, paintings!
Each are good but here are some thoughts. The fiberglass would not need to be painted and if you want to you have to use special paint. You probably won't get the same casing around your windows with the fiberglass so maybe you can't use shades the same way - inside the window frame. Fiberglass would probably last longer without care. So now what you need to do is look at the different manufacturers and styles and make sure you get exactly what you really want.
Fibre glass. Most durable, flexible, light weight.
