We moved into our mountain cabin about two years ago, and honestly, I didn't think windows would be such a big deal. But after the first winter, we realized pretty quick that regular windows just weren't cutting it. The drafts were insane, and the condensation buildup was like having our own indoor waterfall (not as relaxing as it sounds, trust me). So now we're looking at replacing them with something better suited for higher elevations and colder temps.
I've been reading up on double vs triple pane, argon gas fills, and all sorts of coatings...it's honestly a bit overwhelming. Plus, some folks around here swear by fiberglass frames, while others say vinyl is fine if you get the right kind. I'm leaning toward triple pane fiberglass, but the price difference is kinda steep.
Has anyone else gone through this whole window replacement saga in a mountain or high-altitude area? Curious what you ended up choosing and if you're happy with it or wish you'd gone another route.
We went through this exact thing about 3 years ago. Ended up going triple pane fiberglass—yeah, the price stung a bit—but honestly, zero regrets. The drafts vanished overnight, and no more indoor waterfalls, lol.
"The drafts were insane, and the condensation buildup was like having our own indoor waterfall (not as relaxing as it sounds, trust me)."
Seriously though, worth every penny imo.
We had a similar issue when we first moved into our cabin—single-pane windows from the 70s, talk about chilly mornings... We bit the bullet and upgraded too, fiberglass double-pane though, and it made a huge difference. Like you said:
"The drafts vanished overnight"
Couldn't agree more, totally worth it.
We went through something similar a couple years back. Our place isn't exactly a cabin, but it's up in the mountains and gets pretty brutal winters. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—windows are windows, right? Seemed like a lot of money for something that might not even make much difference. But after one winter of freezing our butts off and watching the heating bill skyrocket, we finally caved and replaced our old aluminum single-panes.
We ended up going with vinyl double-pane windows (fiberglass was tempting, but budget-wise it just wasn't happening). Even though I had my doubts about vinyl holding up in mountain weather, they've actually been surprisingly solid. The drafts disappeared almost immediately, and the house feels way more comfortable overall. Plus, our heating bills dropped noticeably—didn't expect that to be so dramatic.
One thing I'd add though: installation matters as much as the windows themselves. We had neighbors who splurged on fancy triple-pane windows but skimped on installation, and they still complain about drafts. Meanwhile, ours were installed by a local guy who really knew his stuff—he took extra care sealing everything properly. Made all the difference.
So yeah, upgrading definitely pays off...but don't underestimate the importance of good installation.
We bought our first mountain home last year, and I totally relate to this. The windows seemed fine when we moved in during summer, but once winter hit, it was a different story. Drafts everywhere, and the condensation was pretty bad—had to keep wiping down the sills to avoid mold.
After doing some research (and getting overwhelmed by all the options), we ended up choosing double-pane fiberglass windows with low-E coatings. Triple-pane sounded great, but the cost difference was just too much for us at the time. Honestly, the fiberglass frames have been solid so far—no warping or cracking despite some pretty harsh weather.
I definitely second the point about installation being crucial. We hired someone local who came highly recommended, and he spent extra time sealing everything properly. It made a huge difference—no more drafts, and our heating bills dropped noticeably this winter.
If budget allows, triple-pane might be worth it, but from my experience, good-quality double-pane with proper installation can be plenty effective.
Interesting points about double-pane fiberglass windows, and I agree installation is key. But I'd actually argue that triple-pane might be more cost-effective in the long run, especially in mountain climates. Here's why: triple-pane windows significantly reduce heat transfer, meaning your heating system doesn't have to work as hard. Over several winters, those savings can really add up.
Also, condensation isn't just about drafts—it's about the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor surfaces. Triple-pane windows keep the inner pane warmer, reducing condensation even further. I installed triple-pane vinyl windows a few years back (vinyl was cheaper than fiberglass but still pretty durable), and the difference was noticeable right away. No more wiping down sills every morning.
Of course, budget constraints are real, and double-pane with proper sealing can definitely do the job. But if you're planning to stay in your home long-term, triple-pane might pay for itself sooner than you'd think...
Triple-pane definitely sounds tempting, especially the condensation part—I'm tired of wiping down windows every winter morning too. Curious though, did you notice much difference in noise reduction compared to double-pane? Our place gets pretty windy sometimes...
Triple-pane can definitely help with noise, but honestly, the difference from double-pane isn't always huge unless you're dealing with heavy traffic or constant wind gusts. If wind noise is your main issue, I'd focus more on proper sealing and installation—makes a bigger difference than you'd think.