Fiberglass definitely has its merits, especially if you're dealing with extreme conditions regularly.
"I've seen vinyl windows warp a bit or lose efficiency over time when exposed to extreme cold and rapid temperature swings."
This matches my experience too. Had vinyl windows in a cabin up north, and after about five winters, they started showing noticeable gaps and drafts. Switched to fiberglass eventually—haven't regretted it yet. The upfront cost stings a bit, but the long-term peace of mind is worth it, IMO.
Fiberglass is great, no doubt, but vinyl isn't always a lost cause in cold climates. I've installed plenty of high-quality vinyl windows in mountain homes, and honestly, the issues usually come down to installation quality and window grade. If you go cheap or the install is sloppy, yeah, you'll see gaps and warping eventually. But good vinyl windows, properly insulated and installed right, can hold up surprisingly well—even in harsh winters. Fiberglass is solid, but vinyl can still be a viable option if budget's tight.
"Had vinyl windows in a cabin up north, and after about five winters, they started showing noticeable gaps and drafts."
Curious—do you remember what brand or line you had?
"Fiberglass is solid, but vinyl can still be a viable option if budget's tight."
Good point—I've seen plenty of vinyl windows hold up just fine in colder climates. Usually when I've come across issues like drafts or warping, it was because corners got cut during install or the homeowner went with a lower-grade window to save money. I'm curious too about the brand mentioned earlier... sometimes even reputable brands have specific lines that aren't really suited for harsh winters.
Actually, I had a client last year who replaced older vinyl windows (cheap builder-grade stuff) with higher-quality vinyl, and they've been really happy so far. No drafts, no warping, and they've already been through a couple rough winters. Makes me wonder if it's less about vinyl itself and more about choosing the right product line and installer?
Vinyl windows can definitely handle cold mountain winters if you pick the right ones and don't skimp on installation. First, make sure you're going with double or triple-pane glass—single-pane is basically just a fancy hole in your wall during winter. Next, look closely at the frame thickness and reinforcement—cheap vinyl frames get brittle in extreme cold, but quality vinyl is engineered specifically to avoid that.
Also, pay attention to weatherstripping and sealing. Even top-notch windows can fail if the installer rushes through sealing gaps or skips insulation around the frame. Had a buddy who DIY'd his window replacements and bragged about saving cash...until the first snowstorm hit and he realized he'd practically installed wind tunnels instead of windows. Let's just say he spent that winter wearing extra sweaters indoors.
Bottom line, fiberglass is great but quality vinyl windows installed properly will keep you cozy without breaking the bank. Just don't be like my friend—hire someone who knows what they're doing or prepare to embrace indoor scarf fashion.
Good points, but have you considered long-term durability? Fiberglass expands and contracts less than vinyl, which might mean fewer seal issues down the road. Curious if anyone's had vinyl windows installed for 10+ years in harsh climates...how are they holding up?
"Curious if anyone's had vinyl windows installed for 10+ years in harsh climates...how are they holding up?"
We've had vinyl windows for about 12 years now, and honestly, they've been pretty decent overall. We're up in Vermont, so winters here aren't exactly gentle. A couple of the seals have started to fail recently—noticed some fogging between panes—but nothing major yet. Fiberglass might be better long-term, sure, but vinyl hasn't been a disaster or anything. Still, makes me wonder if fiberglass would've saved us some hassle down the line...
We're going on 15 years with vinyl windows here in Minnesota—so yeah, brutal winters galore. They've held up surprisingly well, though we did have one crack during a nasty cold snap a few years back. Fiberglass might've been tougher, but vinyl's been pretty solid for the cost.
We're hitting year 12 with vinyl windows here in Colorado—yep, Rocky Mountain winters aren't exactly gentle either. Totally agree they've been solid for the price. Had one window warp slightly from intense sun exposure, but oddly enough, none cracked in the cold (knock on wood...). Fiberglass probably holds up better long-term if budget isn't tight, but honestly, vinyl's been a champ so far. Just keep an eye on seals every few years and you're golden.
"Just keep an eye on seals every few years and you're golden."
Yep, that's the key right there. I've seen vinyl windows handle some brutal winters surprisingly well, even up in the mountains. Fiberglass might edge out durability-wise, but honestly, vinyl's cost-to-performance ratio is tough to beat. Plus, a little warping from sun beats cracked glass any day...
Gotta agree on the seals—most window issues I've seen in cold climates come down to poor maintenance there. Vinyl's definitely a solid choice if budget's tight, but fiberglass windows can handle temp swings without warping nearly as much. Had a client whose vinyl frames warped enough to make opening them a wrestling match after a few harsh seasons. Fiberglass costs more upfront, but fewer headaches down the line might be worth it...depends how much you hate wrestling windows in January, lol.