New windows are an investment in your home that you can expect to last for many years to come. Unless you flip houses for a living or move regularly, chances are you won’t need to choose new windows often.  

With long-term satisfaction in mind, selecting the right window materials is crucial. You’ll want to seek out strong performance, energy efficiency and appealing aesthetics. 

In this guide to selecting the right windows for your application, we break down the similarities and differences between vinyl and hybrid windows. Whether you're looking to save on energy bills, improve your home's appearance or reduce the need for maintenance, we’re here to help you to make an informed decision.

JELD-WEN's Most Energy-Efficient Window

While wooden windows were used for hundreds of years, today they’ve given way to more durable and long-wearing options, two of the most popular being vinyl windows and hybrid windows (vinyl and aluminum). 

In Canada’s changeable climate, energy-efficient window and door products are a must. JELD-WEN of Canada has designed the innovative JWC8500 series of windows to optimize performance, style and energy savings. This series includes vinyl and hybrid (vinyl and aluminum) models, in casement, awning and fixed styles.

JWC8500 Series Standard Features

Vinyl windows are known for their affordability, excellent insulation properties and low-maintenance appeal, making them a popular choice for homeowners. Hybrid windows combine the insulating benefits of vinyl with the sleek, durable exterior of aluminum, for increased longevity and curb appeal. 

Whether you opt for vinyl or hybrid, every JWC8500 series window shares some exceptional features. For example, both vinyl and hybrid versions feature a 26% slimmer frame, maximizing glass area, maintaining window strength and enhancing your view of the outdoors. A slimmer frame also allows more natural light into your home and has a sleek, modern visual appeal. 

All windows in the series are also rated to meet Canadian building code energy efficiency targets for 2030. These windows stand up to weather extremes, increasing home comfort and helping you save on utility costs. 

Both vinyl and hybrid windows are available with two or three panes of glass (Dual-Pane and Tri-Pane). JELD-WEN’s True Tri-Pane Technology™ is made up of three panes of glass, two 1/2" (13 mm) Argon-filled air spaces and a 1 3/8" (35 mm) thick insulated glass unit, to outperform standard 1" (25 mm) Tri-Pane windows by 30% in insulation.  

Tri-Pane windows are more expensive, but have the advantage of reducing energy costs, ensuring greater year-round comfort, minimizing interior condensation during winter, reducing street noise and boosting home security.  

To further increase energy efficiency, window buyers can select from advanced Low-E glass coating options, including SunFlow™, SunStable™, SunResist™ and HeatSave™.  

Depending on the direction your window faces and your local climate, the right glass option can help to retain energy and make your home more comfortable. For example, SunFlow™ is ideal for sunny exposures that can harness the sun’s energy to warm your indoor spaces.  

Both vinyl and hybrid windows also have a number of privacy glass options, as well as tempered glass for exceptional safety and durability where needed. 

Differences between Vinyl and Hybrid

JWC8500 premium vinyl windows are engineered to be long-lasting and hassle-free, for low-maintenance living. They are ideal for homeowners and professionals across the country, thanks to their high performance and range of appealing designs to suit any type of project. They are cost-effective, while still boasting amazing energy efficiency and durability.  

JWC8500 aluminum-clad vinyl windows have the same conveniences of the all-vinyl frame with the addition of a sleek aluminum-clad finish for even more durability and protection, along with a striking high-end appearance. 

Points for Style

Both vinyl and hybrid options will give you that fresh new-window look you want for your home, with added style points thanks to those slimmer frames. You may want to opt for the hybrid window, with the addition of its aluminum cladding, if you are seeking a premium look and a more modern aesthetic.  

Because black is an increasingly popular option for windows, it’s worth noting that the hybrid window is available in black both on the exterior and interior. (Think Meryl Streep’s kitchen in It’s Complicated.) 

Aluminum cladding also provides greater stability when it comes to dark colours, when compared to vinyl, as aluminum is less prone to warping when it (inevitably) absorbs outside heat from the sun. The hybrid option also makes it easier to resurface or paint the window frame if the need arises. 

JWC8500 vinyl windows are available with a premium FiniShield™ laminate colour finish, providing greater uniformity of colour, better scratch resistance and reduced heat build-up when compared to paint. Finishield also reduces the potential for colour variation across multiple window units. 

Be sure to check out the colour options, including French vanilla, slate and chestnut bronze. You can also opt for a specialty colour or finish, such as paint or imitation wood and metal. 

Hybrid windows can also be customized in a colour of your choice. Brickmould (exterior trim) can be painted or customized to match the colour of your window or another feature of your home. The interior can be finished in white or with a black Finishield coating. 

Whichever option you choose, your windows will also benefit from a sleek, low-profile hardware design with a contemporary nesting handle and multi-point lock. In the hybrid option, you can select from white hardware on a white interior window or black hardware on a black FiniShield interior window. 

When replacing old windows with today’s premium models, you can expect greater home comfort and energy savings, a refreshed look for your home and increased durability over time. Both vinyl and hybrid options offer strong durability, minimal maintenance and increased energy efficiency. 

With the addition of aluminum in the hybrid models, you will get higher durability and increased structural integrity, an ideal option for very large windows. 

Cost Considerations

Budget is always a factor in any home renovation or update. Work with your contractor or window professional to determine what works best for you based on your unique needs.  

JWC8500 hybrid windows are a higher initial investment than vinyl, but may be right for your home when weighing other considerations, such as durability, style and long-term energy savings.  

For more information, explore our JWC8500 vinyl window and JWC8500 hybrid window pages.