Ultrex is Marvin Windows & Doors' patented creation made of pultruded fiberglass. I won't bore you with all the details, but they've created an extremely durable material out of thin cables of strong glass saturated in special resin compounds. Ultrex has an extremely low thermal expansion rate; what little effect heat and cold has on it is actually matched by the glass in your window.
If you've ever come across a dented or chalky roll-form aluminum window or a faded, cracked vinyl window, the advantages of Ultrex are obvious. This material is so strong, it's used in bridge construction; so stable, it remains virtually unchanged even when it's put to temperature extremes from -30 degrees to 350 degrees F. It's so strong, they have to use diamond-edge blades to cut the pieces to size. Imagine what that level of durability can withstand in your home!
Their patented finishing process bonds a dense, weatherproof acrylic finish onto the already virtually indestructible surface. This finish is up to three times thicker than the competitors' and resists scratches, marring and dings. Have you ever noticed the disfigured and discolored vinyl trim on your neighbor's front door? This superior finish is five times more resistant to UV degradation than vinyl, meaning no fading, chalking or streaking. And it's available in 6 colors, including Bronze and Black! Ultrex is ideal in coastal regions where heat, moisture and salt wreak havoc on windows with more vulnerable components.
Ultrex is eight times stronger than vinyl and twice as strong as steel. Since it's strong yet light, it's ideal for windows and doors. Ultrex is twelve times as rigid as vinyl, so windows stay square. Vinyl windows can rack or get out of square even before installation, impacting the units' performance and longevity. Ultrex expands and contracts 833% less than vinyl (that's not a misprint,) so stress cracks and seal failures are almost unheard of. Units remain tightly sealed with no leaks for supreme energy efficiency.
Aluminum windows transfer heat and cold into a building. Have you ever sat next to the window at a restaurant? You freeze in the winter and bake in the summer. Ultrex is 500 times less conductive than aluminum (that's not a misprint either.)
Marvin's "Integrity" series of windows and doors are made from Ultrex. They have been manufacturing this product since the early nineties. In fact, I installed them in my own home in 1995. Definitely two thumbs up!
How much do you really save when you have to do it over? Do it once, do it right.
Do yourself a favor and check them out.
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