Fiberglass definitely has its perks, especially in extreme cold. But honestly, vinyl isn't always the problem child people make it out to be. I've seen plenty of vinyl windows hold up great in harsh winters—it's usually about installation quality and upkeep rather than just the material itself.
A few points to consider:
- Weatherstripping can help, but it's not always a long-term fix if the frame itself is warping or shrinking from cold exposure.
- Vinyl frames tend to expand and contract more than fiberglass, so sealing can sometimes become an ongoing chore rather than a one-time fix.
- If your vinyl windows are older or lower quality, no amount of DIY sealing will fully address structural issues.
Before you jump into sealing or weatherstripping, I'd recommend checking if your frames are still square and aligned. If they're warped, no quick fix will really stick. Fiberglass is definitely more stable in temperature extremes, but a well-installed, quality vinyl window can still perform solidly even in mountain winters.
Interesting points—I agree that installation quality is often overlooked when comparing these materials. I've had vinyl windows in my cabin for around 8 years now, and while they've held up OK, I do notice the expansion issue you mentioned. Fiberglass seems appealing because of its stability, but I wonder how much of a difference I'd actually notice day-to-day...? Might be worth checking out some real-world comparisons or user reviews before deciding.
Fiberglass might be a bit more stable, sure, but honestly, if your vinyl windows have held up decently for 8 years with just minor expansion issues, switching materials might not dramatically change your daily experience. I'd focus more on weatherstripping and sealing details—those make the real difference in comfort.
Totally agree—weatherstripping and sealing are key. A few extra thoughts from my experience:
- Check your window frames carefully for tiny gaps; even a small draft can make a huge difference in mountain winters.
- Heavy curtains or insulating blinds helped us a ton when we lived in Colorado.
- Fiberglass might be slightly better long-term, but honestly, upgrading just for minor expansion issues seems like overkill to me.
If your vinyl's still solid after 8 years, I'd stick with it and just fine-tune the insulation details.
Good points on sealing and insulation. When we first moved into our cabin in Montana, the place had older vinyl windows that I thought we'd have to replace immediately. But honestly, after some careful sealing and hanging heavy flannel-lined curtains, it made a huge difference, even during those brutal February cold snaps. Vinyl held up surprisingly well—way better than I'd expected.
One thing I'm still curious about though is condensation. We did notice on super cold mornings some moisture buildup around the edges of our vinyl frames. Nothing terrible, but enough that I wondered if fiberglass windows might handle that better over time. Has anyone else noticed a difference with condensation issues between vinyl and fiberglass in colder climates?
We've been dealing with something similar since we bought our first house last winter. Our vinyl windows held up pretty well overall, but yeah, the condensation issue was noticeable on those really icy mornings. From what I've read, fiberglass does seem to handle temperature swings a bit better, so it might reduce condensation somewhat—but I'm not sure if it's enough of a difference to justify the cost. Your flannel-lined curtains sound like a smart move though...might have to try that myself this year.
"Your flannel-lined curtains sound like a smart move though...might have to try that myself this year."
Haha, those curtains might just save your mornings. Ever tried running a dehumidifier overnight in the worst rooms? We had vinyl windows for years and condensation was always a battle—fiberglass might help, sure, but honestly, sometimes the simplest fixes make the biggest difference. Plus, who doesn't like the cozy cabin feel of flannel curtains on a freezing morning?
I've thought about dehumidifiers, but aren't they kind of energy hogs if you're running them all night? Wondering if anyone's compared the electricity cost vs. just upgrading windows or adding insulation...
I've actually been looking into this myself lately since we're in our first winter at our new place. Honestly, I get where you're coming from about dehumidifiers using energy overnight, but I'm not sure they're as big of an energy drain as people think. My cousin runs one all night in his basement, and he swears it barely nudges his electricity bill—at least compared to heating costs.
But here's the thing: upgrading windows or adding insulation is a bigger upfront investment, right? Sure, long-term savings are great, but if you're working with a tight budget (like me), maybe a dehumidifier isn't such a bad short-term solution. Plus, it takes care of moisture issues directly, while new windows or insulation might not fully solve humidity problems.
I guess what I'm saying is don't dismiss the dehumidifier route too quickly. Might be worth borrowing one from someone just to test out the energy usage yourself before committing to bigger home projects.
Totally agree with your point about the dehumidifier. I've had clients who've been pleasantly surprised after trying one out for a bit—energy use really isn't as scary as people assume, especially when you factor in how much it can help with comfort and mold prevention. But to your original question about windows, I've installed both vinyl and fiberglass units in mountain homes, and honestly, fiberglass tends to perform better long-term in extreme cold. They don't expand and contract as much, meaning fewer drafts and better insulation overall.
That said, vinyl windows have come a long way, and some newer models are surprisingly efficient at a lower price point. If budget is tight, vinyl isn't a bad choice at all. You can always pair them with thermal curtains or window film to boost efficiency temporarily until you're ready for bigger upgrades later. Just something to think about...