Fiberglass is a solid choice, especially because it expands and contracts similarly to glass, minimizing stress at the seals. I've seen vinyl windows struggle a bit more with drastic temperature shifts—over time, they can warp slightly or lose their seal integrity. Not always a major issue, but definitely something to consider long-term. Fiberglass isn't totally foolproof either, but from what I've observed, it's probably your best bet for mountain climates with big temp swings. Keep an eye on the seals every few seasons though...just in case.
Fiberglass definitely holds up pretty well from what I've seen. I installed some fiberglass windows for a friend who lives up near Tahoe about five years ago, and they're still looking great. We did notice a slight issue with one seal after a particularly harsh winter, but it was super minor—just a quick fix, no big deal. Vinyl, on the other hand, I've seen mixed results. My cousin has vinyl windows at his cabin in Colorado, and they've actually held up surprisingly well despite the swings in temp. But then again, another friend had vinyl warp pretty badly after just a few seasons.
Something else to think about might be wood-clad windows. They have that classic mountain home look, and newer ones are pretty resistant to weather extremes. But maintenance can be a pain sometimes... Have you considered wood-clad at all, or are you leaning more towards fiberglass?
Fiberglass is definitely solid, especially if you're looking at energy efficiency. It doesn't expand or contract nearly as much as vinyl, so you get fewer gaps and leaks over time. I've seen vinyl windows warp pretty badly too—especially in places with big temperature swings. Had a neighbor who installed vinyl windows thinking he'd save money, but after a few winters, he was dealing with drafts and condensation issues... ended up replacing them anyway.
Wood-clad windows do look great, no argument there, but the maintenance can be a headache. If you're not careful about upkeep, moisture can sneak in behind the cladding and cause rot—seen that happen more than once. Fiberglass gives you similar insulation benefits without the hassle of regular painting or sealing.
If energy efficiency is your main goal (and it should be up in the mountains), fiberglass is probably your best bet overall. Just make sure to get quality installation—poorly installed windows won't perform well no matter what they're made of.
Fiberglass sounds like a solid choice, especially since I'm new to all this and trying to avoid costly mistakes. But I'm curious about triple-pane vs double-pane fiberglass windows—does the extra pane really make a noticeable difference in colder mountain climates? I've read mixed things online, and it's hard to tell if the extra cost is justified or just marketing hype...
"does the extra pane really make a noticeable difference in colder mountain climates?"
Having lived up here for a good 15 years now, I can tell you firsthand—triple-pane windows do make a measurable difference. It's not just marketing fluff (well, maybe 10% fluff). The extra pane significantly reduces heat loss and condensation, especially during those brutal cold snaps. Honestly though, if budget's tight, double-pane fiberglass with quality insulation and proper installation will still do wonders. Triple-pane is great, but it's more icing on the cake than an absolute necessity...
Good points above. Triple-pane definitely helps, but honestly, I've seen plenty of homes up here do just fine with quality double-pane windows. The key is proper sealing and insulation around the frames—without that, even triple-pane won't save you from drafts. If you're on a budget, don't stress too much about the extra pane...just make sure whoever installs them knows what they're doing. Proper installation makes all the difference in mountain climates.
Good thoughts here, but I'd push back slightly on dismissing triple-pane altogether. In my experience, at higher elevations especially, that extra pane can noticeably reduce condensation issues...something double-pane windows still struggle with occasionally, even when well-installed. Just food for thought.
"In my experience, at higher elevations especially, that extra pane can noticeably reduce condensation issues..."
That's a fair point. I've had double-pane windows installed for about five years now up around 7,000 ft elevation, and while they're generally solid, I do notice some condensation build-up during colder snaps. It's manageable but definitely annoying. If I were doing it over again, I'd seriously consider triple-pane just to avoid the hassle of wiping down windows every chilly morning... hindsight is always 20/20, right?
Triple-pane definitely helps, but condensation isn't always just about the number of panes. I've worked on a bunch of mountain homes, and sometimes even triple-pane windows can still get condensation if the humidity inside is high or ventilation isn't great. One thing I've found helpful is making sure the window frames themselves have good thermal breaks—aluminum frames without proper insulation can transfer cold and cause condensation even with triple panes.
Also, if you're noticing it mostly during cold snaps, it might be worth checking your indoor humidity levels. A client of mine had similar issues, and we ended up installing a simple HRV (heat recovery ventilator). It balanced out the humidity and made a noticeable difference without needing to swap out all the windows. Might be worth looking into before committing to a full window replacement...
Good points about the thermal breaks—I hadn't considered that before. I'm still a bit skeptical about HRVs being a complete fix, but it's reassuring to hear they made a noticeable difference in your client's situation. Might be worth exploring before diving into expensive window replacements...