I'm in the same boat—first winter in my house and vinyl windows are already giving me grief. Weatherstripping helped a little, but I'm still feeling drafts, especially on windy days. I've been wondering about triple-pane too... does anyone know if condensation issues improve noticeably with triple-pane glass, or is it mostly just better insulation against cold? Fiberglass sounds great, but budget-wise, triple-pane vinyl might be my best bet.
Triple-pane definitely helps with condensation, but it's not a complete fix. A lot depends on humidity levels inside your home too—if they're high, you'll still see some moisture buildup. That said, triple-pane vinyl is a solid compromise if fiberglass is out of reach budget-wise. I upgraded to triple-pane vinyl last year and noticed fewer drafts and less condensation overall... not perfect, but noticeably better than before.
Triple-pane vinyl is definitely a decent middle-ground option, especially if fiberglass is stretching the budget too thin. I've installed both types for clients in colder mountain regions, and honestly, fiberglass does have some advantages—it's stronger structurally and tends to handle extreme temperature swings a bit better. But realistically, most homeowners I've worked with find triple-pane vinyl more than adequate, especially when you factor in the cost savings.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that window condensation isn't just about the window itself. Like you mentioned, indoor humidity plays a huge role. I've seen homes with top-of-the-line fiberglass windows still dealing with moisture issues because they weren't addressing ventilation or humidity control inside. If you're cooking without proper exhaust fans, drying clothes indoors, or running humidifiers too aggressively, even the best windows won't completely solve condensation.
A quick anecdote: I had a client last winter who upgraded from double-pane aluminum (talk about drafty!) to triple-pane vinyl. They noticed an immediate improvement in comfort and condensation reduction, but still had some moisture buildup on colder days. We ended up installing a simple HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system to help balance indoor humidity levels. After that, condensation was almost nonexistent. It wasn't cheap, but it was still less expensive overall than going full fiberglass throughout the house.
Bottom line, triple-pane vinyl windows are solid performers and usually enough for most cold-weather scenarios. Just don't overlook the indoor humidity factor—managing that can make as much difference as upgrading your windows.
Good points about humidity control—honestly, I've seen folks drop serious cash on fancy windows and still end up with foggy glass because they ignored ventilation. Speaking of HRVs, anyone tried pairing them with smart humidity sensors? Seems like a cool way to automate things without babysitting your thermostat all winter. Curious if that's overkill or actually worth the hassle...
Smart sensors with HRVs are totally worth it, imo. Had the same foggy window issue until I went step-by-step: upgraded windows first (vinyl, no regrets), then added an HRV, and finally smart humidity sensors. Now it's basically set-and-forget—no more babysitting the thermostat. Honestly, it's not overkill if you value convenience and consistent comfort levels.
"Honestly, it's not overkill if you value convenience and consistent comfort levels."
Totally agree with this. I went fiberglass windows myself because of the extreme cold up here, and they've held up great so far. But honestly, the real game changer was adding an HRV afterward. Before that, I was constantly wiping condensation off the windows every morning—such a pain. Now, between the fiberglass frames and the HRV, it's like night and day. Haven't tried smart sensors yet, but you're making me think about it...
Interesting points all around. I was initially skeptical about fiberglass windows because of the higher upfront cost, but your experience makes a compelling case.
"Before that, I was constantly wiping condensation off the windows every morning—such a pain."
This hits home for me... I'm currently dealing with vinyl windows and the condensation struggle is real. Haven't considered an HRV yet, but your post has me thinking it might be worth exploring. Appreciate the insight.
I was initially skeptical about fiberglass windows because of the higher upfront cost, but your experience makes a compelling case.
Fiberglass is definitely worth the extra upfront cost, especially in colder climates. Vinyl windows can warp slightly over time, making condensation issues worse. An HRV could help manage humidity, but honestly, it's more of a band-aid solution if your windows aren't insulating properly. I'd bite the bullet and go fiberglass—less hassle long-term and you'll notice the difference immediately. Had a client switch last winter and they haven't looked back since... no more morning wipe-downs.
I went fiberglass last year after dealing with vinyl windows for way too long. A few quick thoughts from my experience:
- Vinyl wasn't terrible at first, but after a couple winters, I started noticing more condensation and even some ice buildup on really cold mornings. Not fun.
- Fiberglass made a noticeable difference right away. No more drafts, and the rooms just feel warmer overall.
- Yeah, the upfront cost stung a bit, but honestly, the comfort factor alone made it worth it. Plus, I'm hoping it'll pay off in lower heating bills over time.
- Agree on the HRV point—had one installed before switching windows, and it helped a little, but didn't solve the underlying issue.
Bottom line, if you're in a colder area like me, fiberglass is probably worth the extra cash. Just my two cents from someone who's been there...
"Vinyl wasn't terrible at first, but after a couple winters, I started noticing more condensation and even some ice buildup on really cold mornings. Not fun."
Interesting experience—I actually had a pretty different outcome with vinyl. I'm up in the mountains too, dealing with some pretty harsh winters, and I never really ran into serious condensation issues with mine. I wonder if it could have something to do with window installation or even the specific brand you used?
When I upgraded my windows a few years ago, I went with higher-end vinyl (triple-pane, low-E coating, insulated frames, etc.) and they've held up surprisingly well. No ice buildup or noticeable drafts yet, even during those brutal cold snaps. Admittedly, the fiberglass windows I looked at seemed solid, but the cost difference was enough to make me pause. The vinyl windows I chose were still way cheaper, and I put the savings toward beefing up insulation in the attic and sealing air leaks around doors and outlets.
I guess what I'm getting at is that fiberglass isn't necessarily the only answer if you're dealing with winter issues. A lot of it comes down to quality and installation details. Also, humidity management indoors plays a big role—I noticed you mentioned your HRV didn't fully solve the problem. I'd be curious if maybe your indoor humidity was still a bit high? I've seen that happen in neighbors' houses where condensation pops up despite newer windows, just because their homes were too tightly sealed without proper moisture control.
Anyway, not knocking fiberglass at all—I'm sure they're great—but just wanted to throw out there that vinyl can still work well in cold climates if you get the right product and installation. Different strokes, I guess...