Interesting experience, but I'm wondering if maybe your vinyl windows weren't the best quality to begin with? I've had vinyl windows in northern Minnesota for almost a decade now, and they're still holding up pretty nicely. I mean, we get brutal winters here too—maybe not Vermont-level, but still pretty harsh. Could it be more about installation quality or brand differences rather than vinyl itself? Just thinking out loud here...
"Could it be more about installation quality or brand differences rather than vinyl itself?"
That's a good point—installation can definitely make or break the performance, especially in harsh climates. I've seen neighbors with similar vinyl windows, but their experience has been pretty mixed. One guy down the street had issues after just a few years, but turns out his installer took shortcuts with the sealing and insulation. Meanwhile, ours are going on 8 years in Colorado mountain winters without any real problems (knock on wood...).
Makes me wonder if fiberglass might be more forgiving of installation errors or just generally sturdier against extreme temperature swings? Has anyone here switched from vinyl to fiberglass and noticed a big improvement, or is it mostly marketing hype? Would be interesting to hear some firsthand experiences on that front.
"Makes me wonder if fiberglass might be more forgiving of installation errors or just generally sturdier against extreme temperature swings?"
From what I've seen over the years, fiberglass does seem to handle temperature swings a bit better. Had a client up near Aspen who switched from vinyl to fiberglass after some pretty rough winters. He'd had issues with vinyl frames warping slightly, causing drafts and condensation buildup. After the switch, he said the fiberglass windows felt noticeably sturdier and held up better through freeze-thaw cycles.
But honestly, your point about installation quality is spot-on. I've seen high-quality vinyl windows installed poorly that failed within a few seasons, and budget-friendly vinyl windows installed meticulously that lasted decades. Fiberglass might offer a little more margin for error, but nothing beats careful installation—proper sealing, flashing, and insulation are key no matter what material you choose.
Sounds like you've had good luck so far with your vinyl windows, though... fingers crossed they keep holding up!
Fiberglass definitely has an edge in extreme cold, imo. Had vinyl windows at my old place in Vermont and they got pretty brittle after a few harsh winters—ended up cracking around the edges. Switched to fiberglass when we renovated, and it was night and day. But yeah, installation matters big-time...seen some fiberglass installs botched badly enough that even cardboard would've done better, lol.
Had a similar experience with vinyl in northern Michigan—though mine didn't outright crack, they warped enough that drafts became a real nuisance. Switched to fiberglass windows about five years ago, and they've held up great so far. But you're spot on about installation; a neighbor had fiberglass put in by some discount outfit, and now he's got condensation issues every winter. Curious if anyone's tried reinforced vinyl or hybrid options...do they handle extreme cold any better?
I had standard vinyl windows in my place out in Vermont, and yeah, similar story—warping and drafts were a constant headache. About three years ago, I went with reinforced vinyl (they called it "vinyl composite" or something), and honestly they've held up pretty well in sub-zero temps. Haven't noticed any warping or cracking yet. But like you said, installation is key...had mine done by a reputable local company, so maybe that's why they've been solid. Curious if hybrids are even better though?
I've been wondering about hybrids myself... fiberglass frames with vinyl interiors or something? Seems like they'd combine the best of both worlds, but I'm skeptical if they're worth the extra cost. Anyone here actually tried them in harsh winters?
I looked into those hybrid windows last year when we replaced ours. The fiberglass exterior with vinyl interiors seemed pretty appealing—supposedly tougher on the outside, warmer feel inside. But honestly, after weighing the cost difference, we went with straight fiberglass. Winters here are brutal (think heavy snow and wind chills below zero), and they've held up really well. No drafts or condensation issues so far. Not sure hybrids would've made enough difference to justify the extra cash... but maybe someone else has firsthand experience?
We went vinyl a few years back—mostly because the price was right and the sales guy promised they'd handle our winters fine. Honestly, they're decent, but when temps hit below zero, we do get some condensation and a bit of draftiness around the edges. Nothing major, but enough to make me wonder if fiberglass would've been worth the extra cash. Sounds like you made a solid choice... hindsight's always 20/20, right?
We went fiberglass about two winters ago, mostly because a neighbor swore by them. Honestly, they've been pretty solid—no noticeable drafts or condensation yet, even when it dips way below zero. But now I'm curious... did you try adding weatherstripping or sealing around your vinyl frames? Sometimes a quick DIY fix can make a surprising difference, and it's definitely cheaper than swapping out windows entirely.