"Didn't expect it at all, but suddenly the neighbor's snowblower sounded way less annoying at 6am..."
Yeah, fiberglass windows definitely help with noise reduction—surprises a lot of people. Couple quick points from experience:
- Fiberglass frames have lower thermal expansion rates than vinyl, meaning less stress on seals and better insulation long-term.
- They handle extreme temperature swings better—important for mountain climates where temps fluctuate dramatically day-to-night.
- Vinyl can become brittle in prolonged cold, potentially leading to cracks or seal failures down the road.
Swapped mine out about three years ago, and besides quieter mornings (no more snowplow wake-up calls), heating bills noticeably dropped. Slightly pricier upfront, but worth it imo.
Can confirm fiberglass holds up better. Had vinyl windows crack on me during a brutal winter snap a few years back...switched after that and haven't had any issues since. Plus, house feels warmer overall. Worth the extra cost imo.
Fiberglass definitely has its advantages, but I've installed quality vinyl windows in several mountain cabins without any cracking issues—even during harsh winters. Proper installation and choosing a reputable brand can make a huge difference...might save you some money too.
Interesting to hear you've had good luck with vinyl, especially in mountain cabins. I agree, installation and brand quality can really swing things either way. I've seen vinyl windows perform surprisingly well even in pretty extreme temperatures, but fiberglass does seem to have the edge on insulation value and durability long-term. Curious though, have you noticed any difference in energy efficiency or heating bills since installing vinyl? Always looking for ways to cut down on winter heating costs...
"fiberglass does seem to have the edge on insulation value and durability long-term."
I've heard similar things, but honestly, my neighbor swapped out fiberglass for vinyl a couple years back and swears his heating bills actually dropped. Maybe it's more about sealing drafts than material alone...?
Had a similar experience here. When we replaced our old fiberglass windows with vinyl, I was skeptical at first, but we definitely noticed fewer drafts and a drop in heating costs. I think installation quality and sealing gaps properly might matter just as much as the window material itself. Fiberglass might technically insulate better, but if it's not sealed right, you're still losing heat...
Totally agree about installation quality being crucial. When we swapped out our old aluminum windows for vinyl, I spent a weekend helping the installer (mostly just handing him tools and asking questions, lol). He stressed repeatedly that even the best windows won't do much good if they're not sealed properly. We used expanding foam insulation around the frames, and he meticulously taped every seam with weatherproof flashing tape. Made a huge difference—no more icy drafts sneaking in around the edges.
One thing I noticed, though, is that vinyl can contract and expand quite a bit with temperature swings. Up here in the mountains, where temps fluctuate wildly between day and night, that can sometimes lead to gaps opening up over time if the install isn't done carefully. Fiberglass supposedly expands less, but honestly, as long as your installer knows what they're doing and accounts for movement when sealing things up, either material should hold up fine.
I've heard good things about vinyl too, but honestly, after seeing my neighbor's vinyl windows warp slightly after a few harsh winters, I'm leaning toward fiberglass. Seems sturdier long-term, especially with our crazy temp swings up here... installation quality aside.
Yeah, fiberglass does seem to hold up better long-term, especially in extreme climates. Have you checked out how they compare price-wise though? Last I looked, fiberglass was pricier upfront, but might save headaches later...
Yeah, fiberglass definitely has the edge in durability, especially when you're dealing with harsh mountain winters. I've installed both types, and while vinyl is tempting because of the lower upfront cost, I've seen it warp and crack after a few brutal seasons. Fiberglass, on the other hand, expands and contracts at nearly the same rate as glass, so you don't get those annoying seal failures or drafts creeping in. Honestly, paying a bit more upfront for fiberglass windows can save you from constant maintenance headaches down the road... learned that one the hard way.