That toothbrush trick is underrated—those little corners seem to attract all the grime. I’ve also had issues with caulk, but mine was more about shrinkage than gaps. The first year after install, I noticed the sealant pulling away in a few spots, probably from temperature swings. Now I use a high-quality silicone-based caulk; it’s a bit pricier but definitely holds up better through the seasons.
Something else that’s helped: I give the frames a quick once-over for hairline cracks or chips in the finish every fall. Fiberglass is tough, but if you catch a nick early and touch it up with matching paint or sealant, you avoid bigger headaches down the road. And for anyone dealing with condensation, make sure your weep holes aren’t clogged—easy to miss, but they really matter for longevity.
Funny enough, I used to think fiberglass was totally maintenance-free... reality check after a couple of New England winters.
You nailed it with the caulk—cheap stuff just doesn’t cut it for the long haul. I learned that lesson after a couple of winters when the draft started sneaking in around the edges. The weep holes thing is spot on, too. I ignored them for years and ended up with a little mold party under one of my sills... not fun. Fiberglass is sturdy, but it’s definitely not “set it and forget it.” I still think it’s worth the extra effort, though, especially compared to the wood windows I had before. Those were a full-time job.
Fiberglass is sturdy, but it’s definitely not “set it and forget it.”
You nailed it—fiberglass is tough, but it still needs a little TLC now and then. I always tell folks, “It’s not magic, just less of a headache than wood.” Mold under the sill is the worst... had that surprise once after a rainy spring. At least with fiberglass, I don’t feel like I’m constantly chasing rot or repainting every summer. Worth the trade-off, in my book.
At least with fiberglass, I don’t feel like I’m constantly chasing rot or repainting every summer.
Yep, that’s the big win for me too. I’d rather wipe down the frames twice a year than deal with peeling paint. Still, you let the caulk go and water sneaks in—doesn’t matter what the window’s made of. Learned that the hard way.
Funny thing, I actually swapped out some old wood frames for fiberglass thinking I’d be set for life. Turns out, in my spot (coastal, lots of salt air), the frames faded and got chalky way faster than I expected. Didn’t rot, sure, but now I’m scrubbing off buildup every spring anyway. Sometimes I wonder if a good old wood window with storm panels would’ve been less hassle in the long run...