Ultrex vs. Vinyl
Ultrex vastly outperforms vinyl as a window material. Just take a look at Ultrex’s list of characteristics, and see for yourself why:
Strength.
Ultrex is a pultruded fiberglass with the strength of steel and eight times the strength of vinyl. This strength makes pultruded glass perfect for use in bridge construction, as a replacement for steel rebar, and in the construction of windows and doors. Ultrex is strong yet light, and it is this strength to weight ratio that makes Ultrex ideal for windows and doors, since even the largest units get strong, reliable support from top to bottom, end to end.
Rigidity.
Ultrex is twelve times as rigid as vinyl, so windows stay square during installation and through a lifetime in a home. Vinyl windows can rack or get out of square even before installation, ultimately impacting the units’ performance and longevity.
Expansion/Contraction.
Ultrex expands and contracts 833% less than vinyl, so stress cracks and seal failures common to vinyl windows are unheard of in Integrity units. And since glass is an essential component in Ultrex, Ultrex components expand and contract at the virtually same minute rate as glass, so units remain tightly sealed with no leaks, that can compromise performance and energy efficiency.
Durability.
A mechanically bonded acrylic finish is up to three times thicker than competitive finishes. So your window will not get scratched, dinged or marred as easily as vinyl.
UV Resistance.
Our superior thick finish resists UV degradation up to five times longer than vinyl, even in dark colors. So you won’t notice the fading, chalking or streaking over time that is typical with vinyl windows.
Non-Corrosive.
Ultrex is ideal in coastal regions where heat, moisture and salt wreak havoc on units with more vulnerable components.
Non-Conductive.
Roll-form aluminum windows or windows with aluminum substrates transfer heat and cold into a home. Not so with Ultrex, which is 500 times less conductive than aluminum. In addition, the Ultrex on Integrity windows forms natural air pockets within the window frames to offer further insulation against outdoor temperatures.