That's a good point about indoor humidity. When we first switched to vinyl, I had similar condensation issues until I realized our humidity was hovering around 50%—way too high for winter. Once we dialed it back closer to 35-40%, the condensation pretty much disappeared. Fiberglass windows are definitely solid, but vinyl can hold its own if you keep an eye on moisture levels and installation quality... at least that's been my experience.
"Fiberglass windows are definitely solid, but vinyl can hold its own if you keep an eye on moisture levels and installation quality..."
Interesting point about humidity—didn't realize it mattered that much. How exactly did you lower your indoor humidity? Just adjusted your furnace humidifier, or did you have to use a separate dehumidifier? I'm dealing with some condensation too, and wondering if tweaking humidity alone might fix it before I consider fiberglass.
How exactly did you lower your indoor humidity? Just adjusted your furnace humidifier, or did you have to use a separate dehumidifier?
I've had similar condensation issues here in Vermont. Tweaking the furnace humidifier helped a bit, but honestly, it wasn't enough during those super cold snaps. Ended up grabbing a standalone dehumidifier for the worst months—made a noticeable difference without switching to fiberglass.
"Ended up grabbing a standalone dehumidifier for the worst months—made a noticeable difference without switching to fiberglass."
Yeah, same here. Furnace adjustments only got me halfway there, especially when temps dropped below zero. I finally caved and bought a portable dehumidifier for the bedrooms—honestly, best decision ever. Windows stayed clear, rooms felt warmer, and it even seemed to help with allergies a bit. Still rocking vinyl windows, no regrets yet... fiberglass might be great, but it's definitely not the only solution.
Yeah, vinyl gets a bad rap sometimes, but honestly, I've seen plenty of homes holding up just fine with them—even in harsh winters. Fiberglass is nice, sure, but it's not some magical fix-all. If your humidity's outta whack, even the fanciest windows won't save you from condensation. Dehumidifiers are underrated heroes... I've had customers swear by them after years of chasing window upgrades. Glad you found a solution without emptying your wallet on fiberglass!
"Dehumidifiers are underrated heroes... I've had customers swear by them after years of chasing window upgrades."
Couldn't agree more—humidity control is key. I've seen neighbors drop serious cash on fiberglass, only to face the same condensation headaches. Curious though, anyone tried insulating window film alongside vinyl? Seems promising for extra chilly winters...
- Totally agree on humidity being overlooked—ran a dehumidifier last winter and condensation dropped big time.
- Tried insulating film on vinyl windows myself. It helps noticeably, especially on windy days, but it's not a miracle fix.
- Honestly, fiberglass windows are solid for durability, but if indoor humidity stays high, you'll still see moisture build-up.
- Found that combining window film with strategic airflow (ceiling fans on low, vents open) made the biggest difference.
- Also, don't underestimate simple stuff like opening blinds slightly during the day—sunlight can warm the glass just enough to reduce condensation.
- Bottom line: controlling humidity first, then adding insulation layers like film works best in my experience.
Good point about sunlight—I remember last winter, I left my blinds cracked open a bit and noticed way less condensation on sunny days. Still wondering if fiberglass windows would really justify the extra cost though... decisions, decisions.
Yeah, sunlight definitely helps with condensation—noticed the same in my place. But fiberglass windows...are you seeing a big difference in R-value or just durability? Wonder if the long-term savings really offset that upfront cost. Tough call.
I've been wondering about that too. Fiberglass seems tempting because of durability, but honestly, I'm not totally convinced the R-value difference is big enough to justify the extra cost. A buddy of mine installed fiberglass windows a couple years back—he swears by them, says they're rock solid and haven't warped at all. But when I asked him about heating bills, he admitted the savings weren't exactly mind-blowing. Makes me think the real advantage might just be longevity rather than insulation.
Also, I wonder how fiberglass holds up aesthetically over time compared to vinyl. Vinyl can fade or discolor, especially in harsh mountain sun, but does fiberglass really stay looking good long-term? Would hate to spend extra only to have them look worn out after a few winters...