I totally get where you’re coming from—those hybrid frames can be a real mixed bag. I’ve seen a few that looked fine on the outside but were a soggy mess inside once you pop them out. Full fiberglass isn’t magic, but it’s way less likely to turn into a science experiment if moisture gets in. Only catch: price can be a punch in the gut, especially if you’re swapping out a bunch at once. Still, for peace of mind? Hard to beat.
I hear you on the soggy hybrid frames, but I gotta say—fiberglass isn’t always the slam dunk folks make it out to be. Had a buddy install some, and a couple warped after a rough winter. Maybe it was a fluke, but now I’m second-guessing the price tag. Sometimes I wonder if good old vinyl is underrated, especially if you’re not in hurricane country.
I get where you’re coming from—fiberglass gets hyped a lot, but it’s not immune to issues. That said, I’ve seen vinyl frames fade or get brittle in spots with a lot of sun. Fiberglass warping is pretty rare in my experience, though, unless the install’s off or there’s some weird weather swings. Honestly, every material’s got its headaches. Vinyl is definitely easier on the wallet and can be solid for most folks, but I wouldn’t write off fiberglass just yet. Sometimes it comes down to who installs it and how your house handles the seasons.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing with vinyl—our sunroom windows started looking yellowish after a few summers. Swapped two of them for fiberglass last year and so far they’re holding up way better, but man, the install was a pain. Still, feels sturdier, especially during wild temp swings.
Swapped two of them for fiberglass last year and so far they’re holding up way better, but man, the install was a pain.
Curious—did you do the install yourself or hire out? I’ve heard fiberglass is way less forgiving if your openings aren’t perfectly square. Also, have you noticed any condensation issues? My old vinyls sweat like crazy in winter, so I’m hoping fiberglass fixes that.
I’ve heard fiberglass is way less forgiving if your openings aren’t perfectly square.
- Did the install myself—took way longer than I thought, but saved some cash.
- Openings definitely weren’t perfect. Had to shim a lot more than with vinyl.
- No condensation so far this winter, which is a huge relief.
Anybody else notice fiberglass is noticeably quieter? Or maybe that’s just me...
Had to shim a lot more than with vinyl.
Yeah, that’s the part nobody warns you about—fiberglass is way less forgiving on uneven frames. I ended up cursing my 1950s house for a solid afternoon. But honestly, the noise difference is real for me too. Street traffic used to sound like it was in my living room… now it’s just a dull hum. Worth the extra hassle, but if you’re not handy, maybe budget for pro install.
I actually went with vinyl for my place last year, mostly because I was worried about the whole shimming and leveling thing with older walls. My house is from the early '60s and not a single window frame is truly square—figured vinyl would flex a bit more and save me some headaches. I do wonder if I missed out on the soundproofing you’re mentioning, though. The street noise is better than before but still noticeable at certain times of day.
One thing that did surprise me: the thermal performance wasn’t as big a leap as I’d hoped. Maybe fiberglass does edge out vinyl there? Also, cost was a huge factor for me—fiberglass quotes were almost double what I paid for vinyl, and I just couldn’t justify it given all the other reno projects on my list.
Curious if anyone’s had luck getting that “dull hum” effect with vinyl, or if fiberglass really is that much better in practice.
Vinyl’s definitely a lifesaver in older houses where nothing’s square—makes install way less of a pain. On sound, though, honestly, vinyl just doesn’t cut as much street noise as fiberglass or even a good wood window. You’ll get some improvement, but that “dull hum” you’re talking about? Usually that comes down to the glass package more than the frame material. Laminated or triple-pane glass can make a big difference, even in vinyl frames. Thermal-wise, fiberglass does edge out vinyl a bit, but for most folks it’s not double-the-price better. If you’re still hearing more noise than you want, swapping out panes might help more than switching frames.
That lines up with what I’ve seen—vinyl’s a breeze to fit in these old, crooked frames, but honestly, the frame material doesn’t seem to do much for noise. I swapped out a couple windows with triple-pane glass in vinyl frames and the sound drop was way more noticeable than when I tried a fiberglass unit with standard glass. Fiberglass is definitely a bit better for insulation, but the price jump’s hard to justify unless you’re really chasing every BTU. For city noise, glass choice is where the real gains are.