Yeah, hindsight's always 20/20, isn't it? But honestly, your vinyl windows lasting six years in those temps sounds pretty decent. Curious though, did you notice drafts right away, or did they develop gradually over time...?
Drafts usually creep in gradually, especially with vinyl windows in extreme cold. What happens is, vinyl expands and contracts quite a bit with temperature swings. Over time, this repeated movement can loosen seals or cause slight warping, letting drafts sneak in slowly rather than suddenly. You might not notice it at first, but after a few winters, you'll start feeling those chilly spots near the frames.
If you're considering fiberglass, it's generally more stable in harsh climates. Fiberglass expands and contracts at a rate closer to glass itself, meaning less stress on seals and fewer drafts developing over time. I've seen fiberglass windows hold up impressively well in mountain winters—10+ years without noticeable drafts isn't uncommon.
One thing you could try before replacing your vinyl windows entirely is checking the weatherstripping and caulking around the frames. Sometimes a quick refresh there can buy you another couple of seasons. Have you checked those areas yet?
Totally agree about fiberglass holding up better long-term. Had vinyl windows at our old place, and after about 5 winters, the drafts got pretty noticeable. Fiberglass at the new house feels way more solid—no chilly spots yet, fingers crossed it stays that way.
Fiberglass definitely has the edge in durability and insulation for cold climates. One thing worth noting, though—installation quality matters a ton, regardless of material. Even fiberglass windows can let drafts in if they're poorly installed or sealed improperly. If you're noticing any chilly spots down the road, double-check the caulking and weatherstripping first. Sometimes just redoing those can make a noticeable difference...and it's way cheaper than replacing windows altogether.
Totally agree about installation quality—makes a huge difference. But honestly, vinyl windows have come a long way lately. We put some in our cabin two winters ago, and they've held up surprisingly well...no drafts yet, even during that crazy cold snap last January. Worth considering!
Vinyl's definitely improved, but fiberglass still has the edge for extreme cold climates. Vinyl expands and contracts more significantly with temperature swings, which can eventually affect seals and insulation performance over time. Fiberglass frames are dimensionally stable, meaning less stress on seals and better long-term thermal efficiency. I've seen vinyl windows perform fine initially, but after 5-10 winters of harsh mountain weather...things can change. Fiberglass is pricier upfront, but durability-wise, it's often worth the investment.
"Fiberglass frames are dimensionally stable, meaning less stress on seals and better long-term thermal efficiency."
That's a great point, and something I hadn't really considered before. I've always leaned toward vinyl for cost reasons, but your explanation makes me rethink that choice a bit. Honestly, I'd noticed some drafts around our vinyl windows after about 6 or 7 winters, but I just chalked it up to aging seals or installation issues. Maybe it was the frame material itself all along?
I do wonder though—are there any particular brands or types of fiberglass windows you've found hold up better over time? It's one thing knowing fiberglass is more stable, but I guess quality still varies a lot between manufacturers. When we replaced our front door a couple years ago, the fiberglass models we looked at varied dramatically in build quality, even though they were all technically the same material.
Also curious if anyone has experience with hybrid windows—fiberglass exterior with wood interior. They're pricier still, but I've heard some good things about their thermal performance and aesthetics. Might be an interesting middle-ground option if you're already investing in fiberglass for durability.
Anyway, it's helpful hearing from someone who's actually observed this stuff over multiple winters. Sometimes the specs and brochures don't tell the whole story, you know?
Your experience with drafts around vinyl windows sounds pretty familiar—had the same issue myself after about five winters. Switched to fiberglass (Marvin Integrity line) and noticed a real difference. Haven't tried hybrids yet, but they do look tempting...maybe next renovation.
Had a similar experience with vinyl windows at my cabin—first couple winters were fine, but by year four or five, the drafts were noticeable enough to make me wonder if I'd installed them wrong. Switched to fiberglass too (different brand though), and it's been better, but honestly, I'm still skeptical about longevity. Curious if anyone's had fiberglass windows for more than 10 years in harsh climates...do they really hold up that much better long-term?
I've had fiberglass windows going on 12 years now in northern Minnesota—think brutal winters and wind chills that make your face hurt. Honestly, they've held up pretty well. A little weatherstripping touch-up here and there, but nothing like the vinyl nightmare drafts I had before...