Hybrid:
Manufacturers are turning more and more toward hybrid frame designs. By using two or more framing materials to manufacture a complete window system, they can offer
the homeowner more options. By combining the best of both products, they have created superior products. Wooden frames coated with vinyl or aluminum has reduced the exterior maintenance needed. Manufacturers of vinyl frames offer interior wood veneers to offer homeowners the desired interior appearance they so want. We will
more likely see an increase of hybrid designs by manufacturers over the next few years. It is important for homeowners to educate themselves about these windows from the maintenance aspect and the option offered for interior appearances. Because of the differences in thermal properties between the products used to create the hybrid window, it is best to read the NFRC label for the thermal property of the windows you are interested in purchasing.

Composite:
Composite wood products are well known with most people. Composites are laminated strand lumber and particleboard, or wood particles and resins compressed to form a product. Wooden window manufactures have taken this process and used it to create wood/polymer composites, which have the same structural and thermal properties as traditional wooden windows. Like vinyl, they are moisture resistance, resist decay,
and like wood are paint able. Another benefit to using composite windows is that they help the environment; by reusing sawdust and wood scrap that normally would have been discarded, fewer trees are used.