right?
I’ve had the 100 series in for about three years now, and fading hasn’t really been an issue—even though my south-facing windows get hammered by sunlight. The color seems stable so far, which surprised me since I was a bit skeptical about composites. About the latches, I get what you mean. They do feel a bit plasticky, but in my case, they’ve held up fine. The flexing is more noticeable on bigger panes, but it hasn’t affected the seal or energy performance at all.
Yeah, I was worried about fading too, since our living room gets blasted by afternoon sun. Three summers in and the color’s still holding up. The latches do feel a bit cheap compared to the old wood ones I had, but honestly, nothing’s broken or come loose yet. I do notice a little more flex on the big sliders when it’s windy, but no drafts or anything. For the price, I can live with it.
I get the appeal of Fibrex, especially with all the sun we get, but I’ll be honest—those plastic latches bug me. My old wood windows had hardware that just felt sturdier. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I’d rather pay a bit more for something that doesn’t feel like it’ll snap in a few years. The flex on big sliders would make me nervous too, especially in windy spots. Just my two cents—sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
Yeah, I get what you mean about the latches. The Fibrex frames themselves seem solid enough, but those plastic bits just don’t inspire a ton of confidence. My last place had metal hardware on the old double-hungs and you could slam those shut without worrying. With these newer sliders, I always feel like I need to be gentle or something’s gonna snap. I guess it’s a tradeoff—less maintenance but maybe not the same heft. For really windy spots, I’d probably stick with something beefier too.
I get where you’re coming from about the hardware, but honestly, I’ve had the Fibrex 100s in my place for a few years now, and the plastic latches haven’t given me any trouble. I was worried at first, since I’m used to the old-school metal stuff too, but so far, they’re holding up. I do think the feel is different, though—definitely lighter. Not sure I’d put them in a spot that gets hammered by wind all winter, but for most spots they seem to do the trick. Maybe it depends on how much you’re opening and closing them?
I’ve got the Fibrex 100s too and agree—the plastic latches seemed sketchy at first, but they’re fine so far. I do notice they feel lighter and a little less solid than metal, though.
—same here. I put mine in a spot that’s pretty sheltered, wouldn’t risk it on the west side where we get gusts. For everyday use, though, no complaints.Not sure I’d put them in a spot that gets hammered by wind all winter
I hear you on the latches. First time I installed a set, I was a little skeptical too—just feels weird after years of heavy metal hardware, right? But honestly, I’ve had a couple Fibrex 100s on my sunroom for three winters now, and they’ve held up fine. That said, I wouldn’t trust them in the spot by my garage that gets slammed by northwest winds. They’re great for spots that aren’t getting hammered, but I’d still go beefier for the rougher exposures.
They’re great for spots that aren’t getting hammered, but I’d still go beefier for the rougher exposures.
Yeah, I get that. I’ve seen Fibrex 100s do fine in sheltered spots—no swelling or latch issues even after some wild temperature swings. But near my workshop, where the wind really whips? I stick with reinforced hardware. Just seems safer long-term.