Interesting points raised here. I've always wondered how much of the gas-filled window trend is marketing versus real-world benefit, especially at altitude. A couple years back, I worked on a house up in Colorado—around 8,000 feet elevation—and we installed argon windows because the homeowner insisted on them. Sure enough, within about three years, he was complaining about fogging and seals breaking down. Manufacturer blamed altitude, just like your friend's case.
Makes me wonder... are these manufacturers actually testing their windows at altitude before selling them in mountain towns? Or are they just assuming the same products work universally? Seems like a pretty big oversight if altitude causes consistent problems. Might be worth looking into whether there are specific manufacturers or window types designed specifically for higher elevations—could save a lot of headaches down the road.
Still, I'm with you: if the actual energy savings are minimal, I'd rather put my money into other improvements.
That's a great point about altitude testing—honestly hadn't thought about it til now. I've had regular double-pane windows at around 7,500 feet for almost a decade, and they've been pretty solid. Makes me wonder if the whole gas-filled thing is more trouble than it's worth up here. Maybe sticking to simpler designs makes sense for mountain homes...less fancy, less hassle? Anyway, good thinking bringing this up—definitely something worth digging into before spending big bucks on windows.
Yeah, honestly, at 7,500 feet, fancy gas-filled windows might be more marketing hype than practical benefit. I've installed plenty up here, and while they're technically supposed to insulate better, I've seen enough seal failures and fogging issues to question if it's really worth the premium. Regular double-pane windows hold up fine—less drama, less cost, and fewer headaches down the road. Sometimes simpler really is better...especially when you're dealing with altitude quirks.
Totally agree with your take. I've seen plenty of argon-filled windows installed at altitude, and while the theory behind them is solid (argon being denser than air, better insulation, etc.), reality doesn't always match up. At higher elevations, pressure differences can cause seals to fail prematurely—then you're stuck with foggy panes and compromised efficiency. Regular double-pane windows with quality spacers and low-E coatings usually perform just fine without the hassle or extra cost. Sometimes simpler tech is just smarter in practice...especially when altitude throws curveballs into the equation.