Didn't track humidity specifically (my spreadsheet obsession has limits, believe it or not...), but I did notice fewer foggy windows after switching to vinyl. Might be anecdotal, but seems like a decent sign moisture control improved a bit?
Noticed something similar when I switched to vinyl a few years back:
- Definitely fewer foggy mornings on the inside panes.
- Seems like vinyl frames seal better overall, reducing moisture buildup.
- Didn't track humidity either, but comfort-wise it felt noticeably drier indoors.
Interesting observations, but are you sure it's the vinyl frames themselves making the difference? Could it be more about the quality of installation or even the glass type you chose? When I replaced mine, I went with wood frames but upgraded to double-pane glass, and it seemed to cut down moisture just as well. Maybe sealing and insulation quality matter more than frame material alone...? Just thinking out loud here.
"Maybe sealing and insulation quality matter more than frame material alone...? Just thinking out loud here."
That's a good point. When I replaced mine a couple years back, I went with vinyl frames too, but honestly, I think the biggest difference came from upgrading to low-E glass. The frames themselves didn't seem to do much for moisture control, at least not noticeably. But I did spend extra time making sure everything was sealed properly—caulking around the edges, checking insulation gaps, stuff like that. It made a huge difference in comfort and humidity levels inside.
Makes me wonder... has anyone noticed if certain frame materials hold up better over time in our Tampa Bay climate? Wood looks great, but I've heard mixed things about durability with all the humidity and rain we get here. Curious if anyone's had long-term experience comparing wood vs vinyl or even fiberglass frames in this area.
"Makes me wonder... has anyone noticed if certain frame materials hold up better over time in our Tampa Bay climate?"
Yeah, totally agree that sealing and insulation are key. I went with fiberglass frames last year after researching a ton. Vinyl seemed decent, but fiberglass supposedly expands and contracts less with temperature swings, which helps keep seals intact longer. So far, they've held up great through our rainy season—no leaks or condensation issues yet. Wood looks nice, but honestly, the maintenance stories scared me off...
"fiberglass supposedly expands and contracts less with temperature swings"
Yeah, that's what I read too. Curious though, did you notice any difference in noise reduction compared to vinyl? I'm leaning fiberglass myself, but still wondering if it's worth the extra cost...
I've installed plenty of both fiberglass and vinyl windows around Tampa, and honestly, fiberglass does have a slight edge in noise reduction. It's not night-and-day, but clients often mention noticing less street noise, especially if they're near busy roads or airports. If noise is a big concern for you, fiberglass might be worth the extra investment. But if you're in a quieter neighborhood, vinyl could do just fine and save you some cash...
Interesting points about fiberglass reducing noise. I recently went with vinyl windows myself (mostly because my wallet insisted), and honestly, they're pretty decent. But now that you mention noise, I do notice the neighbor's leaf blower a bit more than I'd like on Saturday mornings... maybe fiberglass would've spared me some early weekend wake-ups.
One thing I'm curious about—does window thickness or the number of panes make a noticeable difference in noise reduction too? I've heard mixed things about double-pane vs. triple-pane setups. Wondering if anyone here has firsthand experience comparing those options, especially around Tampa where traffic noise is pretty common.