Aluminum vs Fiberglass

[out_for_a_rip]

Hi everyone - we are in the market for our first TT and are unsure of the real differences between aluminum and fiberglass siding (besides price). Can someone help us out?

Thanks!

[Acdii]

rbpru wrote:

In my humble opinion, the floor plan and interior components far outweigh the exterior covering.

Good luck

This is the most honest answer here. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but what it really comes down to, what do you like? You can have a fancy slab side with a useless floor plan, or you could have an ugly rib side with a really nice floor plan, or visaversa.

Way I see it, I don't care what it looks like outside as long as it is comfortable and functional inside.

[westend]

nobby wrote:
I haven't heard of any real aluminum sided reliability issues....but I don't own one, either.

I dunno', when I got mine I could stick my arm through the joint in the middle of the siding. The screws that tried to hold the siding to the rotted frame had fallen out.

The good news is that a wood frame and aluminum siding can be repaired a bit easier than an aluminum frame with delaminated Filon.

[rbpru]

Aluminum is older technology affectionately called stick and tin. It is well established with several generations of design, construction and repair history.

Fiberglass is a newer technology. Though also a couple of decades olds, the technology continues to evolve. Fiberglass lends itself to the fancy shapes and sculpted designs that folks like, plus it offers a broad canvas for today's artistic decals.

Aluminum is prone to dents, fiberglass is prone to de-eliminations. Which is better is mostly a matter of opinion or unusual circumstance such as the aforementioned hail or intense sunshine.

In my humble opinion, the floor plan and interior components far outweigh the exterior covering.

Good luck

[goducks10]

Aluminum dents real easy, fiberglass sided don't.
Both can leak. One will rot the other will delaminate.
Fiberglass sided can have higher R value for insulation.

[SoundGuy]

out_for_a_rip wrote:
- we are in the market for our first TT and are unsure of the real differences between aluminum and fiberglass siding (besides price).

For some it's just a matter of aesthetics as many simply prefer the look of smooth fibreglass. Aluminum dents easily, with the only effective repair being to replace it, while any good body shop should be able to properly repair fibreglass in the unlikely event it's damaged.

[_1nobby]

They both have their cosmetic differences but the fiberglass can be a problem.

I have the fiberglass AND have spots of delamination....mostly where water was sneaking by door and window frames. I have halted the progression by caulking EVERYTHING.

I haven't heard of any real aluminum sided reliability issues....but I don't own one, either.

[Fireballsocal]

Fiberglass is slightly heavier than aluminum. Maybe 4-6 hundred pounds difference on a 30 foot trailer. And the smooth fiberglass sides are much quicker to wash.

[Second_Chance]

Here's my brother-in-law's take on it (and I agree). Aluminum has a slight advantage in the sunny, hot desert southwest where there have been some problems with fiberglass delamination due to the sun and the heat. Aluminum (often over a wood frame) can encounter issues with water incursion and subsequent wood rot (due to the fasteners, overlaps and wood frames) in very wet climates such as the deep south and the Pacific northwest west of the mountains. The wood frames used under aluminum tend to transmit heat and cold less than the aluminum frames typically used under fiberglass... but the insulation used in the fiberglass laminated exterior walls is often better than that used in aluminum construction. Finally, the manufacturers of 1/2-million dollar motor coaches and $150K fifth wheels use laminated fiberglass rather than aluminum - for whatever reasons.

Rob

[Gulfcoast]

Welcome new member... feel free to search, or discuss any topic you wish on this forum.

The forum was set up for new discussion, not just a library.

I simply prefer an aluminum siding trailer for it's long lasting ability.

[azrving]

Bumpyroad wrote:

rjxj wrote:
Aluminum is best for making beer cans.

a new member, perhaps isn't aware of the search function. there have been 1,208,888 threads on this.
bumpy

2Oldman must still be in bed

[Bumpyroad]

rjxj wrote:
Aluminum is best for making beer cans.

a new member, perhaps isn't aware of the search function. there have been 1,208,888 threads on this.
bumpy

[valhalla360]

rjxj wrote:
Aluminum is best for making beer cans.

And looks like new for around 20yrs with no significant effort.

Only real advantage fiberglass has is if you live in an area with a lot of hail.

[azrving]

Aluminum is best for making beer cans.