Yeah, those demo videos are wild—makes you wonder if they’re using magic windows or just editing out the struggle. I’ve had to chisel out old sashes more times than I can count, especially after years of paint build-up. You nailed it about Marvin frames staying square; I’ve seen the same thing in my 1950s place, even after some foundation shifting. Vinyl’s never held up for me either, especially on the south side where the sun just bakes everything.
For balances, I get your frustration. The corrosion is a pain, but I’ve found a little silicone spray helps slow it down—at least here in Minnesota winters. Honestly, I think we’re all just chasing that mythical “easy window”... still haven’t found it myself.
Honestly, I think we’re all just chasing that mythical “easy window”... still haven’t found it myself.
Right there with you. I swapped out a bunch of old Integrity units for Marvin a couple years back—figured it’d be smoother, but honestly, every install had its own “gotcha.” Paint build-up is no joke; I had to heat-gun my way through half the frames just to get the sashes loose. One thing, though: Marvin’s fiberglass really does seem to handle the Midwest freeze/thaw better than vinyl ever did for me. Still, no such thing as maintenance-free... I’m always checking for little air leaks around the trim, especially after a winter like this one.
That Midwest freeze/thaw cycle is brutal, right? I’ll say, the Marvin fiberglass has held up better than my old vinyls too, but I still get condensation on the inside trim when it really dips. Not sure there’s a window out there that’s truly hands-off... seems like it’s always something.
Not sure there’s a window out there that’s truly hands-off... seems like it’s always something.
Honestly, you’re right—total “set it and forget it” windows just don’t exist, especially around here. Even with Marvin’s Ultrex fiberglass, I’ve seen some condensation when temps swing fast. Have you tried running a dehumidifier, or is your humidity already pretty low? I’m curious if anyone’s managed to fully solve the interior condensation without messing with the HVAC settings every other day.
I hear you on the condensation. I swapped out old wood windows for Marvin Integrity a few winters back, thinking that’d be the end of it. Still get some fogging when we hit those wild temp drops—especially in the kitchen after cooking. Tried a small dehumidifier, but honestly, it only helped a little unless I really cranked it. Seems like there’s always a tradeoff… tighter windows mean less air leaks, but then moisture’s got nowhere to go.
I actually think the condensation issue isn’t always about the window itself, even with the Integrity line. I’ve noticed in my 1960s place that once I tightened up the envelope, it just shifted the problem. Even with upgraded exhaust fans, my kitchen still fogs up after a big cook. Sometimes I wonder if we focus too much on windows and not enough on overall ventilation—old houses just breathed differently. Might be worth looking at a dedicated HRV or ERV system instead of just more dehumidifiers.
“Sometimes I wonder if we focus too much on windows and not enough on overall ventilation—old houses just breathed differently.”
You’re right, sealing up an old house can trade one problem for another. I’ve seen a few jobs where after tightening everything up, the moisture had nowhere to go and started showing up on windows—even the new ones. Have you checked your basement or crawl space for hidden moisture too? Sometimes it’s not just the kitchen or bath. HRVs and ERVs can be a game changer, but they do take some planning to retrofit into older layouts. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those in a mid-century home?
That’s spot on about ventilation. I swapped out all my old Integrity windows for new Marvins in a 1960 ranch, sealed everything up tight, and right after the first winter, condensation started creeping in—especially around the sills. Turns out, the crawl space was a bigger culprit than I thought. I added an HRV but had to get creative with duct runs since there’s barely any room between floors. It helped, but honestly, nothing beats tracking down those hidden moisture sources first. The new windows are great, but without airflow, you just move the problem somewhere else.
The new windows are great, but without airflow, you just move the problem somewhere else.
I hear you, but I gotta say, sometimes I wonder if we go a little overboard chasing “tight” houses. My neighbor kept his old Integrity windows (with a little weatherstripping tune-up) and honestly, he’s never had the same condensation headaches I did after my fancy upgrade. Maybe a bit draftier, sure, but his house seems to breathe better. Makes me think there’s something to be said for a little imperfection—at least until the next energy bill shows up…
That’s funny, I’ve had a similar experience. We swapped out our old wood windows for new Marvins a couple years back, thinking it’d solve all our winter drafts. It did help with the cold spots, but then we started noticing more condensation on the glass, especially in the bedrooms. Never really had that issue before. I guess the house just doesn’t “leak” like it used to, which is good for efficiency but…not so great for moisture.
Honestly makes me wonder if there’s a sweet spot between energy savings and letting the place breathe. I’ve been reading about trickle vents or even just cracking a window now and then, but it feels weird to spend all that money sealing things up only to let air in again. Anyone here actually regret going with new windows for this reason? Or maybe someone found a good balance?