"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..."
Couldn't agree more with your experience. I've had fiberglass windows installed for about 8 years now in the Colorado Rockies, and they've been impressively reliable. The thermal expansion rate of fiberglass is closer to glass itself, which really helps minimize gaps and drafts during extreme temperature swings. Vinyl windows I had previously warped noticeably after just a few harsh winters... fiberglass has definitely been worth the investment for me.
Interesting to hear fiberglass has worked out so well for you guys. I'm still pretty new to all this homeowner stuff, but I did a ton of research before replacing my windows last year (first winter in the mountains was brutal... lesson learned). Ended up going with fiberglass too, mostly because of exactly what you mentioned—the thermal expansion thing. Vinyl seemed tempting at first because of the lower price, but after reading about warping and drafts, I figured I'd rather spend a bit more upfront than deal with headaches later.
So far, they've been solid through one full winter. No noticeable drafts or gaps yet, fingers crossed it stays that way. Only minor gripe is they weren't exactly cheap... but hey, neither is cranking up the heat every night because your windows leak cold air, right?
"Vinyl seemed tempting at first because of the lower price, but after reading about warping and drafts, I figured I'd rather spend a bit more upfront than deal with headaches later."
You're spot on here. I've seen vinyl windows do alright in moderate climates, but when it comes to mountain winters, fiberglass generally holds up better over time. It's not just the thermal expansion—fiberglass frames also tend to keep their structural integrity longer. Curious though, did you go with double- or triple-pane glass? I've found triple-pane can make a noticeable difference in comfort, especially at higher elevations...
It's not just the thermal expansion—fiberglass frames also tend to keep their structural integrity longer.
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, but honestly, I've had vinyl windows for about 8 years now in some pretty harsh winters, and they've held up surprisingly well. Maybe I got lucky? Also, triple-pane sounds nice, but is it really worth the extra cost...?
I've had triple-pane vinyl windows for about 5 years now, and honestly, they're great at keeping the cold out—but the price difference was kinda painful. Fiberglass might hold up better long-term, but vinyl isn't exactly falling apart either... tough call.
I've had vinyl windows for about 8 years now, and honestly, they're still holding up pretty well. Sure, fiberglass might be tougher in theory, but unless you're planning to stay in your house for like 30+ years, I'm not sure the extra cost is worth it. One thing I do wonder though—does fiberglass handle extreme temperature swings better? My vinyl frames sometimes creak a bit when temps drop suddenly... kinda spooky at night, lol.
Fiberglass definitely has an edge when it comes to handling temperature swings. Vinyl expands and contracts more noticeably, which is probably why you're hearing those creepy creaks at night, haha. Fiberglass frames are more dimensionally stable, meaning less movement and fewer gaps forming over time. Even if you're not planning to stay 30+ years, the improved insulation and reduced drafts might make fiberglass worth considering—especially in mountain climates with harsh winters. Just something to think about...
Good points, fiberglass definitely seems more stable overall. A few years back, I installed vinyl windows at our cabin, and yeah, those creepy creaks you mentioned... totally relate. 😅 Curious though—anyone notice if fiberglass is noticeably harder to install DIY-wise? I've heard mixed things. Either way, sounds like fiberglass might be worth the extra hassle for mountain winters.
"Curious though—anyone notice if fiberglass is noticeably harder to install DIY-wise? I've heard mixed things."
From my experience, fiberglass windows aren't necessarily harder to install than vinyl, but they do require a bit more precision and patience. Vinyl tends to be lighter and somewhat forgiving if you're slightly off with your measurements or angles. Fiberglass frames, being more rigid, don't flex as easily, so accurate measurements and leveling become crucial. When I replaced the windows in our sunroom with fiberglass last fall, I found myself double-checking everything a bit more carefully—probably spent an extra hour or two overall—but honestly, it wasn't drastically more difficult.
In terms of tools and techniques, if you're comfortable handling basic carpentry tasks and have installed windows before, you'll likely find fiberglass manageable. Just make sure to have a good helper on hand (fiberglass is heavier), and take your time prepping the openings. Given your mountain winters scenario, I'd say the extra effort is definitely justified by the improved stability and insulation performance you'll gain.
I'd mostly agree with this. Fiberglass isn't exactly harder, just a bit fussier about getting things lined up right. Vinyl windows give you a little wiggle room if you're off by a hair, but fiberglass...not so much. Did a cabin reno last year and the fiberglass install took maybe an extra afternoon. Worth it for the insulation boost though, especially if your winters are brutal.