I've had mixed experiences with vinyl here in Tampa. A few years back, we went with a mid-range vinyl option for our sunroom addition—mostly because the budget was tight—and honestly, they've held up better than I expected. Not perfect, but the newer coatings definitely make a difference. That said, aluminum-clad still wins in terms of durability and looks, hands-down.
Casements are awesome for airflow, no doubt, but is anyone else dealing with heavy rain leaking through theirs? Last summer during some of those crazy storms, we noticed water seeping in at the bottom corners. Adjusting hinges helped with cranking ease, but didn't really solve the leak issue. I'm thinking it might be a flashing or installation problem rather than the window itself. Curious if others have run into this and what ended up being the fix...
"I'm thinking it might be a flashing or installation problem rather than the window itself."
Yeah, you're probably onto something there. A couple years back, I had a similar issue with casements leaking during heavy storms. Turned out the flashing wasn't properly layered behind the siding, so water was sneaking in around the edges. Here's what worked for me:
1. Pulled off the trim carefully to inspect the flashing and house wrap underneath.
2. Added proper flexible flashing tape around the window opening, making sure it overlapped correctly—bottom first, sides next, and top last.
3. Reinstalled the trim, sealed everything up with a quality exterior caulk (I swear by OSI Quad for Florida weather).
Since then, no more leaks—even during those intense summer downpours Tampa loves to throw at us. Honestly, vinyl casements can hold their own if installed right, but aluminum-clad definitely has the edge in looks and longevity.
Quick question though: has anyone tried installing awning windows instead of casements in areas exposed to heavy rain? Seems like they'd shed water better since they hinge at the top...
"Quick question though: has anyone tried installing awning windows instead of casements in areas exposed to heavy rain? Seems like they'd shed water better since they hinge at the top..."
You're right about awning windows handling rain better—I put one in our bathroom last year, and it's been great. Even during those sideways rains we get around here, I can leave it cracked open a bit without water sneaking in. Only downside I've noticed is they're a bit trickier to clean from the outside...but totally worth it for the ventilation and peace of mind during storms.
We swapped out a couple casements for awning windows in our kitchen about two years back, and they've been solid through some pretty intense storms. Definitely agree they're great for ventilation without letting rain in. Only hiccup was when I tried cleaning them from outside—ended up rigging a weird contraption with a mop handle and microfiber cloth, lol. But honestly, that's a small price to pay for dry countertops and fresh air during hurricane season...
We've been considering awning windows for our bathroom remodel, so it's good to hear they're holding up well in storms. But your cleaning story has me a little worried, lol. Is it really that tricky to clean them from the outside?
If it's helpful, I saw a neighbor tackle this issue pretty cleverly last summer. He had awning windows installed on the second floor and struggled with the same problem. Eventually, he came up with a step-by-step method that seemed to work pretty smoothly:
1. First, he opened the window fully from inside—obviously make sure it's secure and won't slam shut on you.
2. Then, he took one of those extendable window cleaning tools (the kind with a squeegee on one side and microfiber cloth on the other).
3. He sprayed the outside glass generously with a cleaning solution from inside (a spray bottle with vinegar-water mix).
4. Reached out carefully through the open window with the extendable cleaner, starting at the top of the window and working downward.
5. Then he flipped it over to the microfiber side to dry and polish.
It looked a bit awkward at first, but after a couple tries, he got pretty efficient at it. And he didn't have to climb ladders or rig anything too sketchy.
I haven't tried it myself yet, but watching him made me think it's doable without too much hassle. Maybe give that a shot next time and see if it helps? Your mop handle contraption sounds creative, but this might be a tad easier and safer...
We've got awning windows in our upstairs bathroom, and honestly, cleaning them isn't as daunting as it sounds. The extendable squeegee/microfiber combo mentioned above is exactly what we use. It takes a bit of practice to get the angle right, but once you do, it's pretty straightforward. Definitely beats climbing ladders or rigging something sketchy with mop handles, haha. I'd say give it a try—it's a practical solution and safer overall.