"Mostly it showed up in our bedrooms and the kitchen. At first, I thought it was a window quality issue, but after some digging around online and chatting with neighbors, it turned out to be more about humidity levels indoors."
Yeah, humidity can really throw you off at first—I went through something similar. We have vinyl windows too, and honestly they've held up great even during some pretty harsh winters. One thing I'd add is that good installation matters just as much as the window material itself... if they're not sealed properly, you'll get drafts and moisture issues no matter what they're made of.
Totally agree about installation—makes a huge difference. When we moved into our place, we had condensation all winter, even with good vinyl windows. Here's what helped us step-by-step: first, got a humidity monitor (cheap and worth it), then ran exhaust fans longer after showers and cooking. Also started leaving curtains open a bit during the day to let air circulate better. After doing that consistently, condensation pretty much disappeared. Windows weren't the problem after all... just needed to tweak our indoor habits a little.
We had a similar issue last winter, and at first I thought we'd made a mistake with vinyl windows. But after reading up on it, realized our humidity was way too high. We ended up setting our thermostat fan to run intermittently throughout the day, plus cracking open bedroom doors for better airflow. Humidity dropped noticeably within a week or two, and condensation hasn't been an issue since. Definitely agree it's less about window material and more about managing indoor conditions properly...
Good points about humidity control—it's surprising how often that's overlooked. I've seen plenty of homes with fiberglass windows still dealing with condensation because the indoor conditions weren't managed properly. Vinyl windows can actually perform really well in cold climates if they're installed correctly and the home's humidity is kept in check.
One thing I've noticed, though, is that fiberglass frames tend to expand and contract less than vinyl, which can sometimes help maintain a tighter seal over the long haul. But honestly, if your vinyl windows are good quality and installed right, you probably won't notice much difference.
Curious if anyone here has tried pairing their window upgrades with an HRV or ERV system? I've had a few clients go that route, and it seemed to really help balance humidity levels without needing to crack windows or doors as much...
- Good call on the HRV/ERV systems—seen them help a lot, but they're not magic bullets. Still gotta watch indoor humidity closely.
- Fiberglass does hold up better long-term IMO, but quality vinyl windows installed right usually do fine. Just don't cheap out... learned that the hard way once.
"Fiberglass does hold up better long-term IMO, but quality vinyl windows installed right usually do fine."
Fair point, but even high-quality vinyl can struggle with extreme temperature swings common in mountain climates. I've seen vinyl frames warp slightly over several harsh winters—not catastrophic, but noticeable enough to affect sealing and efficiency. Fiberglass, while pricier upfront, seems more dimensionally stable under these conditions. Just something to consider if you're planning to stay put long-term...
Yeah, fiberglass does seem sturdier overall. Still, I've had vinyl windows hold up pretty well for years—even in brutal winters. Proper installation and regular maintenance go a long way... but if budget allows, fiberglass might save headaches down the road.
"Proper installation and regular maintenance go a long way..."
Totally agree with this. I've had vinyl windows for about 8 years now, and even with some pretty harsh winters, they've held up surprisingly well. Fiberglass might be ideal, but vinyl can definitely do the job if you're careful about upkeep.
Interesting to hear your vinyl windows have lasted that long. I'm a first-time homeowner up in the mountains, and I've been leaning toward fiberglass because of all the hype about durability. But now I'm wondering...is the extra cost really justified if vinyl can hold up fine with proper care?
"vinyl can definitely do the job if you're careful about upkeep."
What kind of maintenance are we talking about exactly—just regular cleaning and sealing, or something more involved?
I'm a first-time homeowner up in the mountains, and I've been leaning toward fiberglass because of all the hype about durability. But now I'm wondering...is the extra cost really justified if vinyl...
Honestly, vinyl upkeep isn't usually that complicated—mostly regular cleaning and occasionally checking seals—but in harsh mountain climates, things can get trickier. I've seen vinyl windows warp a bit or lose efficiency over time when exposed to extreme cold and rapid temperature swings. Fiberglass, on the other hand, tends to handle those conditions better without as much fuss. Yeah, it's pricier upfront, but if you're planning to stay long-term, it might save you headaches down the road.