Did a fiberglass install up in Vermont about two winters back—old farmhouse, uneven framing, you know the drill. Agree 100% on fiberglass being fussier with alignment. Vinyl lets you cheat a bit if the opening isn't perfect, but fiberglass...it's like working with fine cabinetry. One misalignment and you're shimming like crazy to get things square again.
But once it's in, man, the difference is night and day. Temps dropped below zero regularly up there, and the fiberglass held heat noticeably better than vinyl installs I've done in similar climates. Had one homeowner tell me their heating bill dropped nearly 20% after the switch from vinyl to fiberglass—anecdotal, sure, but believable given what I've seen.
So yeah, extra afternoon of fussing around is pretty typical, especially if your framing's older or not perfectly square. But for brutal winters? I'd say it's worth the hassle every time.
Interesting points about fiberglass holding heat better...makes sense given the material. But I'm curious—do you think the noticeable difference in heating bills is mostly due to the tighter seal and alignment you mentioned, or is fiberglass itself inherently better insulated? Wondering if vinyl could match fiberglass performance if installed meticulously, or if fiberglass just has an edge regardless...
That's a good question. Fiberglass does have some inherent insulating advantages due to lower thermal expansion and better structural stability, but I wonder how much of that advantage you'd notice in real-world conditions compared to a perfectly installed vinyl window. Maybe the bigger factor is actually the quality of installation itself? Has anyone here experienced noticeable improvements just by redoing seals or alignments on existing vinyl windows, without switching materials entirely? Curious if that's enough to close the gap...
Totally agree with you on installation quality being a huge factor. When I first moved into my place, the previous owner had these vinyl windows installed pretty sloppily. I mean, you could literally feel the draft coming through the edges on windy days—felt like living in a tent some nights, lol. Anyway, instead of swapping them out entirely, I decided to have someone come in and redo all the seals and realign a couple frames that were noticeably wonky.
It wasn't exactly cheap, but definitely cheaper than replacing everything with fiberglass. And honestly, it made a pretty big difference. No more drafts, and the rooms felt warmer overall without cranking up the heat. My heating bill even dropped noticeably that winter.
That said, I do have a buddy who lives up near the mountains and swears by his fiberglass windows. He claims they hold up better against extreme cold and temperature swings—says he never has to worry about warping or gaps forming over time. But then again, he's also the kind of guy who likes to brag about how much better his stuff is compared to everyone else's...so take that with a grain of salt.
In my experience though, unless you're dealing with really harsh conditions or your windows are totally shot, just tightening things up and sealing properly can get you most of the way there. Might not be as fancy as fiberglass, but hey...if it keeps the cold out and saves some money, that's good enough for me.
Had a similar issue in my first home—vinyl windows that weren't installed great. I ended up just adding some weather stripping and heavy curtains, and it honestly helped more than I expected. But now that I'm in a colder area, I did spring for fiberglass. They're definitely more solid, and I notice way less condensation. Still, if budget's tight, sealing up vinyl properly can go a long way. Just depends how harsh your winters get, I guess.
Totally agree on fiberglass being a solid upgrade, especially if you're dealing with serious cold. A couple winters back, I had vinyl windows in my cabin up in the mountains, and even after sealing them up tight, I still noticed drafts and condensation buildup. Weather stripping and heavy curtains definitely helped, but I also found that adding window film insulation kits made a surprising difference. They're cheap, easy to install, and cut down on drafts noticeably.
Eventually, I switched to fiberglass windows in the main living areas, and the difference was pretty impressive—way less condensation and drafts basically disappeared. Still, if you're on a tight budget, vinyl can work fine if you take the extra steps to seal them properly. Just be prepared for a bit more maintenance and maybe some creative insulation solutions when the temps really drop.
I've had pretty decent luck with vinyl windows myself, but I totally get what you're saying about condensation. The window film kits are surprisingly effective for how cheap they are—saved me a few chilly nights last winter. Curious though, did you notice any difference in noise insulation when you switched to fiberglass? My cabin's near a road, and I'm wondering if fiberglass might help cut down on traffic sounds too...