# Windows: Vinyl or Fiberglass in an earthquake?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vinyl-or-fiberglass-in-an-earthquake/1032319>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 13, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vinyl-or-fiberglass-in-an-earthquake/1032319 "2026-08-13T00:25:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vinyl-or-fiberglass-in-an-earthquake/1032319/1 "2026-08-13T00:25:42Z")

</div>

I’m shopping for replacement windows. Does anyone know which holds up better in a mild to moderate seismic shift? Not total destruction. I’m in Los Angeles.

Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vinyl-or-fiberglass-in-an-earthquake/1032319/2 "2026-08-13T00:37:34Z")

</div>

Definitely vinyl because of its pliability. But fiberglass takes longer to deteriorate due to sun and weather.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-vinyl-or-fiberglass-in-an-earthquake/1032319/3 "2026-08-13T06:44:06Z")

</div>

Thanks, Elmer.