Good to hear vinyl's working out for you. I've installed both vinyl and fiberglass windows in mountain homes, and honestly, the newer vinyl stuff is surprisingly good. Had a client last year who insisted on fiberglass because he thought vinyl wouldn't handle the cold, but his neighbor went vinyl and they're both equally happy now. Makes me wonder if fiberglass is really worth the extra cost these days, especially with insulation upgrades making such a noticeable difference... Have you noticed any condensation issues with your vinyl windows?
I've had vinyl windows in my mountain cabin for about 8 years now, and honestly, condensation has been a bit of an issue during the coldest months. Nothing crazy, but enough to notice.
"Makes me wonder if fiberglass is really worth the extra cost these days..."
I get where you're coming from, but fiberglass does have a slight edge in thermal stability, especially if you're dealing with extreme temperature swings. Vinyl's definitely improved, but if budget allows, fiberglass might still be worth considering for peace of mind long-term.
I've been wondering about this myself lately... Fiberglass seems like the safer bet for extreme cold, but I've heard mixed things about whether the difference in condensation is noticeable enough to justify the extra cost. Have you thought about improving ventilation or humidity control instead? I had a similar issue at my old place and adding better venting made a bigger difference than expected.
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, but honestly, I've seen plenty of vinyl windows hold up just fine in harsh winters—especially if they're good quality and installed right. Condensation often comes down more to humidity than window material anyway. Ventilation upgrades can be a game changer, like you said. Ever tried running a dehumidifier during peak winter months? Might sound weird, but it worked wonders for a client of mine who was dealing with constant window sweat...
Good point about humidity being the real culprit. I've seen vinyl windows perform surprisingly well even in some pretty brutal conditions, as long as they're installed properly. Had a client once who upgraded their bathroom fan to a stronger model, and it made a huge difference with condensation issues. Curious though, have you noticed any difference in how fiberglass vs vinyl handles extreme temperature swings—like those sudden cold snaps followed by warmer sunny days? Seems like that could affect durability over time...
I've had vinyl windows in my place for about 8 years now, and honestly, they've held up pretty well through some intense winter swings. We get those sudden cold snaps here too—like below zero one day, then sunny and 40°F the next—and I haven't noticed any major issues with cracking or warping. That said, my neighbor went with fiberglass a couple years ago, and he swears they're better at handling those temperature swings. He mentioned something about fiberglass expanding and contracting less, so maybe there's something to that?
One thing I have noticed though is that my vinyl windows seem to get a little stiffer to open and close during really cold spells, but nothing major. I guess if durability over decades is your main concern, fiberglass might have a slight edge. But practically speaking, from my own experience, properly installed vinyl windows have been pretty reliable overall...
I've installed both vinyl and fiberglass windows in mountain homes, and honestly, both can hold up pretty well if they're quality products and installed right. Fiberglass does have a slight advantage in extreme temperature swings because it expands and contracts less, meaning fewer issues with sticking or stiffness over time. But practically speaking, unless you're dealing with really harsh conditions or planning to stay put for decades, the difference might not be noticeable enough to justify the extra cost. Curious though—anyone notice condensation differences between the two materials?
I've worked with both vinyl and fiberglass windows in colder climates, and honestly, condensation seems more tied to glass quality and installation than the frame material itself. Had a client once who upgraded from older vinyl to high-quality fiberglass expecting a big difference in condensation—didn't really pan out that way. Turns out their humidity levels indoors were the main culprit. Once they got a decent dehumidifier running, problem solved.
That said, fiberglass frames might have a slight edge in reducing condensation around the edges because they don't flex as much, keeping seals tighter over time. But in my experience, it's usually not enough of a difference to notice day-to-day. If condensation is your main worry, I'd focus more on getting good double or triple-pane glass and making sure the installation is airtight.
"Turns out their humidity levels indoors were the main culprit."
This hits home for me. We had condensation issues for years in our mountain cabin, even after upgrading to triple-pane fiberglass windows. Thought we'd solved everything, but nope—still had moisture buildup. Finally checked humidity levels and realized we were way too high. Once we dialed that back with a decent dehumidifier, the windows stayed clear. Frame material helps a bit, but honestly, indoor humidity and proper sealing seem way more important in cold climates.
Totally agree—humidity control is key. One thing I'd add is checking your ventilation setup too. Sometimes just improving airflow (bathroom fans, kitchen exhaust, etc.) can make a noticeable difference alongside the dehumidifier. Worked wonders for us anyway...